Job Discussion Forums

['abdalmusawwir]

First of all, thanks to all of you posting here for the many informative and insightful replies with which you are seldom unprovided. As one new to this prospective field, I have learned much; and yet, have not found the precise answers to some of my questions.

My situation is as follows: I have a BA in Fine Art, several years teaching experience as a substitute (on an annually renewed 'emergency credential' from the state of CA., granted post-passing the state CBEST) in elementary and middle school, including long-term assignments in special ed. and ESL (when it was still in place in CA. for Spanish speakers); I have a certificate in Middle-Eastern Languages and Culture from UCLA Extension (38 units), am advanced, though not yet fluent, in MSA; and, I am ready to take a course for what would be the most advantageous certificate to add to this.

Which brings me to my first question: is a TESOL considered reputable, a good addition for me, as far as eligibility for getting a decent position teaching English in the ME? Is it not even considerable, in my case? Does it carry more weight if it is one that is far beyond the 120 hours that seems to be of the basic level? Or, is CELTA far preferable, even if one lives in the US?

I realize that my having not yet had experience teaching abroad is unhelpful (as well, as this is all new and a bit complicated, I apologize if some of my questions don't make total sense.) I have read some threads here where the advice tended towards "Go to Asia first..." But my personal goals aside from a gainful employment - to reach fluency in Arabic and study with a calligrapher of Arabic scripts - as well as my advanced age, 50, point me directly towards work in the ME, most preferably in the Levant. I do not need, nor do I expect, to earn a high salary at first; but neither am I a 20-something that is ready to seriously rough it; though I am accustomed to a rather austere lifestyle. I am open to teaching children, teens, or adults, and to teach art, if there were any opportunity to do so (I have read some threads about such work in public school systems, though a teaching credential from the home country seemed a prerequisite, and this I do not have.)

In short, will a TESOL get me any closer? Is a CELTA, or other cert., better still? If TESOL, should I ensure it is an advanced one? Am I out of my mind? LOL

Any thoughts from any among you would be most appreciated. Thank you for reading.

[helenl]

If you do a search you should be able to find most of the answers you are looking for. Your questions get asked at least twice a month - short answer, you are not qualified for the better jobs.

[15yearsinQ8]

get a Masters in English/Educ with state certificate or a Masters in TEFL/TESOL/Applied Linguistics
otherwise when career is dead ended and your salary quickly hitting the maximum you'll ever get

at this stage, any certificate or going to Asia adds little to your career or earning potential

your long term experience as a sub in a public school shows you have more career potential, drive and classroom and other skills than a certificate or going to Asia can increase. you've proven you're good and dedicated and know the system of education, now take your career to a higher level and invest in a masters - you won't regret it

whoops, at age 50, forget the masters - it'll never pay off
if you come to the middle east, you could find employment at a lang. institute or most likely a lower tier international school

['abdalmusawwir]

[15yearsinQ8]

for you, a certificate is over kill

[PC Parrot]

[helenl]

You'd be unlikely to get a job where your documentation allowed you to work legally, you won't get airfare or accomodation or medical, and you'd be paid a wage that may or may not allow you to survive - you probably won't be able to save much if anything.

Lang institutes rarely hire offshore, they can get people who are already here on a spousal sponsorship. as for the lower tier international schools, maybe there are some decent employers - I don't know of any personally.

[FunGus]

You should know that I have 7 years experience, the DELTA, and an MA in TESOL and the job hunt for me this year hasn't been particularly easy.

In fact, I would say I've only actually heard back from about 1 in 15 places I've applied to.

Granted, I've been trying to get one of the better paid jobs in the region...

[15yearsinQ8]

you don't need a certificate for intl schools
you're actually more qualified/experienced than some art teachers i know at the better international schools....
masters by distance education are not accepted in gulf
stress your substitution experience (with references, dates, subjects) and you'll get a job at lower tier intl schools

['abdalmusawwir]

Thank you all so much for your replies - this has been helpful. I think I will brush up my resume and investigate just which schools/agencies would have the types of jobs for which I could qualify. I spoke to the folks at ISS, but they require a clear credential. As far as language schools, if any of you have suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them. Thanks again.

[PC Parrot]

[usa_in_gulf]

PC Parrot wrote:

[spiral78]

There were two Saudi teachers on my MA course (Birmingham, UK, TESL/TEFL). They were specifically pursuing the (distance) MA in order to increase their salaries IN KSA.

I reckon degrees from reputable unis are accepted, regardless of the medium - but that statement's based only on this one personal bit of knowledge, so I won't pretend it's a General Truth.