Job Discussion Forums

[flatlander]

Hi,

I've browsed the forums and noticed people seem to say the days of getting really good money (without very good qualifications) are gone in ME.

My situation is this - I currently work in SE Asia teaching at a University. Pretty well paid for Asia so I can save 12,000 pounds ($18,000) a year at current exchange rates (being helped by the battered pound).

My plan is actually to pack in teaching as I do a different line of work in UK, but it would be good to be able to bank say a further 60,000 pound ($88k) before going back to UK, so I'm looking into a possible 2 years stint in ME on the way back.

My qualifications/experience are as follows:

-BA and MA (neither anything to do with English Teaching)
-CELTA
-4/5 years teaching experience (ESL) in Asia teaching adults - mainly uni
type teaching plus a lot of IELTS (all post CELTA).
-IELTS Examiner

I'm wondering if its quite reasonable to get a job in ME where I could save around 30,000 pounds ($45,000) a year or are these expectations way to high?

I know this is a loaded question as obviously there are loads of different countries out there, luck can come into what job you land, and people save in very different amounts (I can't live on the bread line on noodles every night and would need some kind of life, but I'm fairly good at saving).

As an example I was looking at somewhere like KFUPM in Saudi as I know a couple of people who've worked there. They say conditions are ok, but with OT included they reckon banking about 20,000 pounds a year is more reasonable.

Any thoughts would be appreciated,
Thanks

[veiledsentiments]

I'd say that your expectations might be a bit high because your credentials are borderline. If you had a related MA, your chances would be better - as they would if you had experience teaching Arabic speakers.

The two details that may cut your number is that the first job is often hard to get... so, you don't get top pay... and one's lifestyle can quickly eat into one's savings number.

I tend to agree with the KFUPM people. I think their number is more likely. But, even 20,000 is quite a significant jump from what you are saving now.

VS

[scot47]

20,000 Pounds Sterling is currently 112,000 SR. Say 10,000 SR monthly. I think planning to save this is unreasonable unless you have a lot of practice in the Worship of Mammon. Can you live a life of REAL asceticism ?

Living in KSA is not easy - you can make it a bit easier by spending some money now and again. If you condemn yourself to the life of a 500-Clubber, you are condemning yourself to misery.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

I invite the OP to come over and shake that Money Tree (or "money-maker, if it fits!).


♫ Shake, shake, shake, that money tree! ♫

(Sung to the tune of "Smoke, smoke, smoke that cigarette"

Go ahead, VS, and start scratchin' yer noggin!

NCTBA

[veiledsentiments]

Why would I be scratchin'? I know that song... what with being older than you even...

VS

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Actually, I didn't know how popular that song wuz. Being a military brat and being forced to listen to C & W as a kid, I wuzn't sure if that was yer genre...

NCTBA (The youngster!)

[scot47]

The location of my money tree is a closely-guarded secret but I can assure the OP and would-be-500clubber that I have NEVER saved the sort of money he fantasizes about. Nor I suspect have many people TEFLing in the region.

The days when you could save enough in two years to buy a house are LONG GONE and will not be back.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Because of a thrifty Asian wife, we routinely save between USD 25-40,000 annually. It all depends on yer base pay and yer ability not to take up costly pastimes.

And, no, we do not scrimp and no, the wife is NOT gainfully employed. She's a community volunteer.

NCTBA

[veiledsentiments]

Yes, but you are a long-timer in the Gulf with a CV that has all the right credentials. A newbie would have a very hard time duplicating your salary and lifestyle.

Right?

VS

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

This is true. It takes time...and patience...

NCTBA

[hopscotch]

[MrWright]

So, NCTBA, what are you qualifications? Those numbers sound fantastic! I am currently working on my MA TESOL, and I am a certified secondary teacher in the states. Once I have that finished, and maybe a stint somewhere else to gain experience, what kind of job and savings could I be looking at? How many years does it take to get to that level? Would my 7 years teaching experience in secondary schools here count for anything in this regard? Thanks.

[veiledsentiments]

It depends what route you take. An MA is required for university teaching, but not for K-12 international schools. Your experience in schools doesn't help you up the university experience ladder. Just as university experience is of little value on your CV for teaching K-12.

Yours would be an odd situation and depends on what you prefer to teach. There are good jobs available (with careful vetting of employers) in either track. For your seven years of experience to help (in addition to your US teaching cert), you would need to stay in the schools. Check out the job fairs in the US.

If you want to switch to university level, your new MA and no university experience would put you at entry level.

It is nearly impossible to give you savings numbers as it would depend on which path you chose and your lifestyle. But, you could certainly save significantly more than you can living in the US.

VS
(NCTBA has moved on, but I can tell you that he has a related MA and many years of direct experience in the Middle East... more than 10... maybe more than 20... )

[MrWright]

Thanks. So if I went the uni route, at entry level, what kind of salary and savings would be realistic? I don't live an expensive lifestlye, but it would be nice to visit the states every year or two. Also, with an MA Tesol, but no other experience teaching adults ESL, is it unrealistic to get a uni job at all? How difficult is it to get that first position? Thanks for the advice.

[Spinoza]

I saved �30,000 in 16 months. But I didn't take any holidays and my only expense was internet and food. If you really tried, you could save almost all your salary.