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EricCC
Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 63
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 Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 3:36 am Post subject: Moving to Mid-East in 6-18mo. Looking for Contacts / Advice |
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I am currently teaching in Seoul but am looking to move to someplace I can make better money. I am nearing the completing of a MA in TEFL, and have been involved in ESL education for 5 years part-time. I am looking for contacts, advice, and the like:
What are some good schools that hire Americans? (Some schools are looking for British nationals only).
What is a good starting pay?
Does anyone have connections to good schools who might be willing to do some networking?
Is there a professional organization I can join?
Thank you in advance for any advice.
Eric |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
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EricCC
Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 63
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:56 am Post subject: |
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| Wonderful, thanks. I had an individual contact in the Kingdom but lost their info long ago. The suggestions you made seem to all reference universities? What are peoples' thoughts on the various chain schools that advertise on other sites? |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 5:24 am Post subject: |
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Many of these university jobs in KSA involve teaching false beginners, low elementary and lower intermediate students. This is especially true if you are teaching on one of the many Prep Year programmes, which are a bridge from secondary school to university studies.
Chain schools generally are NOT good employers. My advice is to sell yourself in your CV. Five years experience is imporessive although some employers here are not always favouravly impressed by those who have taught in Korea. Styel of teaching and requirements in KSA are not the same !
Believe me any of those institutions listed will be a lot better than the "chain schools" |
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EricCC
Joined: 07 Jul 2004
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 5:42 am Post subject: |
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Excellent. Thank you for the advice. What might one expect insofar as payment and packages from such organizations? And are all the chain schools really bad places to try and work for? Do people sometimes come to the chain schools before networking to better opportunities in the area?
My concern is that I can make around 50K Us a year, not spend more than 50 hours a week at work, and be employed in a "non-abusive setting." Are these realistic goals?
Thank you again for your feedback.
Eric |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 7:51 am Post subject: |
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US$40,000 might be more realistic given your qualifications and experience. Remember that you will have no housing costs or utility bills to pay.
Last edited by scot47 on Sun Jan 03, 2010 11:57 am; edited 1 time in total |
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EricCC
Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 63
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 8:19 am Post subject: |
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| It might be more of a "front end" in pay if I stay in the Kingdom and network for some time? And, are you totally against the chain schools? |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 11:52 am Post subject: |
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No "Chain school" is going to pay you US$4,000 a month. With your experience it is unlikely that you will get that anywhere. Perhaps in one of the military contracts like Raytheon or Boose Allen.
A chain school is more likely to pay you in the region of 8000 SR which is just over US$2,000. |
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EricCC
Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 63
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 1:01 pm Post subject: |
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Actually, I do have a lot of teaching experience back in the states. I met one guy out here in Korea who was paid around 45K in the Mid-East . . . but didn't like being there.
Thanks for you insights. I will continue to read through this thread to see what people suggest. |
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desert_traveller
Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 335
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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| EricCC wrote: |
| My concern is that I can make around 50K Us a year, not spend more than 50 hours a week at work, and be employed in a "non-abusive setting." Are these realistic goals?Eric |
yeah, especially the last point
saudi arabia is famous for its non-abusive setting in all walks of life
actually its so free of any kind of abuse that if you accidentally step on someone's foot, he will jokingly tell you 'my dear friend, why are you abusing me?'
upon encountering any sort of abuse, just let the 'committee for the abuse free life of our valued and respected foreign workers, regardless of their race, religion and gender' know about it, and they will take prompt action against your saudi abusers, and bring them to justice within 48 hours
its just another country, like any other. you set your specific goals, and work out the steps to achieve them. you arrive to the country, follow your plan to the letter in the safe haven of predictability, and then, your goals 100% achieved within the set time limit, not a minute delay, you leave the country
just like that, just like home |
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EricCC
Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 63
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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| On other threads I've found the negative comments to be lacking in use to either myself or the author. Thank you for the rather meaningless post. I wish you well. |
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desert_traveller
Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 335
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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you are most welcome
on a sidenote, i find it quite amusing that you promptly brush aside an opinion, the language or content of which i am assuming does not agree with what you would like to hear, as 'negative', 'lacking in use' and 'meaningless'
i did make a point in my post and were i in your place, i would at least try to give it some consideration
but its really up to you bro
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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| EricCC wrote: |
| On other threads I've found the negative comments to be lacking in use to either myself or the author. Thank you for the rather meaningless post. I wish you well. |
Eric... you need a tough skin to post on public boards... especially with a bunch of educators who expect you to have done at least a little homework before asking questions. 
What he was saying is that abusive employers are rather the norm at entry level with limited credentials like yours. Part time teaching in Asia counts for little in the Gulf and a new MA will merely get you in the door - and not with the better employers.
The chain schools in the Gulf are lousy. 25-30 contact hours a week... split shifts... thus very long days... low pay... lousy benefits. They are the jobs for those with no credentials who are desperate for a paycheck. Seriously, I would go back home and flip burgers at McDs first.
VS |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
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Mia Xanthi
Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 955
Location: why is my heart still in the Middle East while the rest of me isn't?
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| The chain schools in the Gulf are lousy. 25-30 contact hours a week... split shifts... thus very long days... low pay... lousy benefits. They are the jobs for those with no credentials who are desperate for a paycheck. Seriously, I would go back home and flip burgers at McDs first |
I agree with this entirely. In the end, you will save more money, have MUCH better benefits, and have more respect if you take a full-time fast food job in the US rather than taking a a job at a language chain or "institute" in Saudi Arabia.
It is not worth going to the Gulf for any of these kinds of jobs. Only jobs requiring an MA or a DELTA (usually universities/military/government/industrial) have pay and benefits that it make it worth the abuse and frustration you are likely to encounter. |
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