Job Discussion Forums

bereaguy · Joined: 06 Mar 2009 Posts: 6

I would really like to try my hand at teaching in the Kingdom after graduating with a PhD in cultural anthropology in a couple of years. My BA and MA are in cultural studies. Although I have teaching experience in my field, my ESL experience at that time will only consist of the CELTA or whatever certification I choose to obtain. Would I be able to get a decent job with the PhD and CELTA certifcation and no ESL teaching experience and begin an ESL in Saudi? Would it be easier to pursue a teaching job within my field in the Kingdom? What sort of salary would be feasible? I am a caucasian male from the US and native English speaker with no dependents.

I've noticed quite a few teachers in the Kingdom are quite the grumps. I would appreciate non-sarcastic, straightforward responses. Thanks for the help.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

They will love you for your PhD. Much status is awarded to those with a doctorate. You should get a job. Are you sure that you want one in the "Kingdom of Humanity" ? The place is full of weirdoes. The locals all go around in fancy dress and speak funny.

007 · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 11:17 am Post subject:

Uncle Scott, are you drunk again? You speak funny! Laughing

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I would recommend that you look at universities like the American University In Cairo and the American University in Sharjah that may have departments related to your major.

If your goal is to live within another culture, AUC would be your best bet. If you could teach at both places for awhile, you'd have a study on the effects of petro-dollars. Laughing

I'm not clear why you would want to move over to EFL and go to the bottom of the pay scale since for that field you would still only have entry level credentials with a CELTA. Entry level jobs, especially in Saudi but around the Gulf, tend to be not terribly pleasant... many bordering on abusive.

VS

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

KFUMP ? I think you mean KFUPM. Well, I warned him that people here talk funny and wear funny clothes. Even the cats !

bereaguy · Joined: 06 Mar 2009 Posts: 6

Thanks for all of your responses. I'm happy to know that universities regularly recruit foreign academics for university positions. Are cultural studies programs hot in the Kingdom? I'd much prefer to continue in my field rather than teach ESL if that's possible, but would be willing to negotiate my wants for the opportunity to experience a culture that fascinates me. I have another question that likely depends upon the context. My dissertation research centers on marginal sexualities in relationship to Christianity in an American setting. Albeit I have blue eyes, as I've heard this helps, would my research present an opportunity to be discriminated against? Or, on the other hand, are Saudi academies open to such a research background. Or, do they even care? At the time of entering the Kingdom, or another Gulf area, my teaching experience would be a few years as a GA at the university that I am graduating from where I teach a couple of classes each semester. Thanks.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

As I said above... your chances are better at AUS and AUC with your major... not Saudi. (esp with your dissertation topic...)

Your topic will not really assist you in any of the Middle East countries.

VS

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 2:29 am Post subject:

VS is right on target on this one. Considering your qualifications and your dissertation topic, Saudi Arabia is not suitable for you - no matter how fascinating you might find it.

AUS and AUC are certainly your best bets, but you could also look into universities in Qatar and Oman. You are much more likely to find suitable employment related to your background in these places....and you will find the opportunities for research to be much richer.