Job Discussion Forums

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

My situation is this. I currently live in Mexico City, where I have been teaching private classes, one on one and small groups, for several years. I have a degree in Elementary Education from a US university, and an online TESOL certificate. Before living in Mexico, I lived in the US and worked as a Spanish language news editor for 5 years, and before that I worked in a public school system in Bi-lingual education for 5 years. I would like to teach in Saudi Arabia for a year or two, but it won't be for at least another year, so my question is this, what can I do during this time to make myself more attractive. Some of my private classes I have gotten on my own, but I have also worked for institutes that will give me a letter of reference. In terms of credentials, what can I add? I have been offered a job in a school here for the upcoming school year, would it be better to have that year in a school as opposed to private classes? The pay at the school is actually less than I make now for twice the hours, so I was leaning towards not accepting it. Is the fact that I speak Spanish helpful at all?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Forget about teaching EFL - go for a teaching job in one of the international schools. These are to be found in the three large cities - and also inside ARAMCO.

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

Just a hint... employers in the Middle East give you no credit whatsoever for private lessons. They want to see related full-time classroom experience. Also they do not recognize online TEFL certificates. Spanish will not be at all helpful.

You do not qualify for many jobs in this part of the world, and the pay/benefits and especially working conditions would reflect your lack of credentials.

What you need to get decent pay in K-12 at International Schools is to have the proper state teaching certificate that you were eligible for after finishing your degree and perhaps had at one time. For TEFL, you would need to get something like the CELTA... a cert that provides supervised classroom teaching.

VS

Grendal · Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:45 pm Post subject:

I would say you should do as the other two have said. 1. Forget about EFL teaching in the KSA. 2. Get some experience in teaching larger class sizes. 3. Why in good heavens do you want to go to KSA?

Regards

Grendal

lucreziaborgia · Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 177

I agree with Grendal. You are probably overqualified for ESL teaching in the KSA but the locals won't see it that way. I have a PhD and 5 years of substantive ESL training that was in excess of the work at hand. You need a special needs education qualification backed up with experience to survive in any of the edifices masquerading as universities in the KSA. You will be treated like trailer trash, paid less and more than likely fired at midnight with instructions to quit the country on the first flight out the next day. This happened to several of my colleagues who came from countries other than the UK, Australia, the USA, New Zealand and Canada. If your skin is less than pure white you're in for a hard time.
There are nicer countries that need ESL instructors that will treat expats in a civilised manner. Try them.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 2:40 am Post subject:

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

Thanks for the hints. I have always been fascinated with the Middle East, I guess, is the short answer on why. I could do a CELTA here in Mexico City, have already been looking into it. Does the fact that I was at one time certified help, or does the certification need to be current? I still have my (rather high) test scores from when I was certified. I actually enjoy teaching ESL/adults more than kids, which is why I wasn't really looking at International schools. I am lily white, with blue eyes even, so that won't be a problem. I am of European Spanish descent, though. What other country would you suggest in the Middle East if SA is out? Again thanks for the feedback, nothing like getting it from those who have lived it.

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

For the good International school positions, the certification would need to be current.

Many of the people come to this part of the board because they "heard" that they could make big bucks in the Middle East. And, of course, you can't without an MA + experience. The Gulf is a wealthy part of the world and they are able to demand all those academic pieces of paper that they think are important.

But, if your interest is in the culture, you might want to look at places like Egypt or Morocco. If fact, the British Council teaches the CELTA in Cairo, which is a good introduction to the country and you end up with the cert that is most respected in the field. And they are both places where private lessons allow you to supplement your income.

VS