Job Discussion Forums

[olive eyes]

Hi Everybody! I'm new here. I'm interested in teaching in the United Arab Emirates and was wondering if anyone can offer me any advice.
My teaching background includes 8 years of ESL/EFL in Canada, where I'm originally from, as well as Italy, Mexico and Japan. I've mostly taught adults at various language schools in those four countries.
I have a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a TESL certificate.

What kind of opportunities are available for someone with my expierence and background?

Is the United Arab Emirates safe for western women?

What are the teaching conditions like in the United Arab Emirates?

Thanks,
Grace

[doner]

Yes
Poor for underqualified people like you.

[Sheikh N Bake]

Ooh, harsh. But what donor is saying is that (1) a basic search here would answer all your questions, and (2) you need at least the BA and CELTA/DELTA and 3 years' experience that is preferably not at a language school. A teaching license or an MA in TEFL would serve you better in any UAE job search.

Others may disagree with me on this, but frankly, 8 years at language schools looks bad on a resume for anyone seeking to upgrade their job in the UAE.

[adorabilly]

Don't take Doner as being rude. It is just that there are many folks who come here without using the SEARCH function and ask similar questions.

With a BA and a TEFL/TESL cert and 8 years of experience you are underqualified for most of the positions in the UAE. Most positions REQUIRE either a valid teaching license in your home country OR a Masters degree PLUS three years of teaching.

To get the better jobs you need the MA in a content area (or in TESL, applied linguistics, etc) or you need to be a certified licensed teacher who can teach primary/secondary. And if you have both, then great.

With your experience go to china, korea or japan. You will have a great time and be easily employable. If you have your heart set on the UAE, then you need to use the search function and see what your experience and education can get you (which isn't much to be quite frank and honest).

[Sheikh N Bake]

As long as we mention Japan and Korea, any full-time language school experience on your resume automatically disqualifies you for most college/university jobs in Japan even if you get an MA later. Korea may be the same but I'm not a korea expert.

[veiledsentiments]

[olive eyes]

I wasn't looking for a teaching position at a college in the UAE which would mean upgrading my job. I was merely seeking a position at a language school for about a year or two. After 8 years of teaching ESL at several language schools I returned to school to obtain my Bachelor of Social Work, and have been working in the social service field since then. The reason I want to return to teaching is to save some money which I was told the UAE is a great place to do so. The money I plan on saving is to do my Master of Social Work once I return to Canada, and upgrade my job in the social service field.

[helenl]

You're not going to save money on a language school salary. You probably won't even get an offer unless you are already in UAE and have sponsorship that allows you to work legally.

You will not be paid enough to cover rent and expenses, let alone any medical outlay (should the unfortunate occur) or tickets home.

Language schools pay an hourly rate, they do not offer accomodation or any other benefits and usually they don't offer sponsorship because they can get people who are already here.

You don't have the qualifications for any decent job (one which pays in full and on time - without the benefits). This is not Korea or China where you can earn enough to live on comfortably in those countries. The UAE is expensive.

[adorabilly]

[olive eyes]

Thanks for the advice everyone!! I was aware about Japan and Korea, since I've already taught in Asia. I wanted to try a different part of the world however, it seems like I'll be returning to Asia in order to save money for my MSW. Take care!

[Green Acres]

[Sheikh N Bake]

Well, I should have qualified my comment with the fact that I left Japan in 1992. However, cultural prejudices change extremely slowly in Japan, so I imagine nothing much has changed in regard to the image of language school teachers. It's another opportunity for people to stratify others according to social and professional rank. They love rankings, even of people. With university jobs not exactly plentiful, language school teachers were excluded, at least in my day there.

[Green Acres]

I get it. It's the same reason that during the economic crisis, and there was much unemployment, that young workers would not take a job they were overqualified for because it would undermine their future prospects. This is still the case today in Korea and China as college graduates will not even take a part-time job that they feel is beneath their target employment area.

While this is clearly true for many Koreans and Chinese workers, it has not proven true for expat workers in educational fields. I cannot comment on Japan, but I would say that their society is a bit more rigid than the one's that I refer to. I could see this being a justification to week out the competition. Certainly something to think about if applying for a job in the region.

[Sheikh N Bake]

Japan more rigid, socially, than China? Oh, yes, 1000%. it was always a relief for Americans working in Japan to hop over to Hong Kong and China and be refreshed by people (especially women) who look you in the eye and laugh out loud with full grin (rather than the covering-the-mouth-while-giggling routine). I'm hardly the only one who says that. There used to be tons of articles written by foreigners saying what I just said.

I had two master's degrees and more than three years' experience when I left Southern Illinois University's Japan campus in search of a new Japan job. I was advised by a friendly supervisor NEVER to take a language school job or I'd never get another good job. Hhhhmmm...and the scenario we discuss may not have resulted only from society's rigidity. i think the general population of language school grunts earned themselves a reputation of being a bit flakey and intellectually underwhelming. And many, many of them did not have English or language degrees. A lot were glorified backpackers, albeit with some kind of bachelor degree, in dark suits pretending to be high-powered international professionals.[/b]

[scot47]

The days of the Gulf being a place where you could arrive and save large sums in a short time are long gone.

You would be better to borrow the money for your higher studies and then pay it back form your earnings.

Sorry to wee on your parade.