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Canuck_teacher
Joined: 04 Nov 2010 Posts: 4
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:48 am Post subject: Some Newbie Advice |
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Hi Guys,
I'm looking for a job in Middle East and have been considering the UAE. I have applied to a few jobs and was curious about a few things:
1- When is the best time to find a job?
2- Are there jobs out there for non-certified but experienced ESL Teachers?
3- Any pieces of advice that you UAE vets have would be super appreciated.
Cheers
CT |
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veiledsentiments

Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 2:11 am Post subject: |
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If you don't have at least a BA + CELTA (or other recognized certificate which provided supervised classroom teaching) + experience, there are very few decent jobs available.
The best time to apply is between Jan and March... and attending TESOL Arabia gets you a face-to-face interview. Google up their website for conference information.
VS |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed

Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 3500 Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 2:41 am Post subject: |
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One thing that VS failed to mention...TESOLArabia is the way to go for face-to-face meetings with hiring staff/committees, but due to shenanigans by a certain institution in the country, you are certain to be overwhelmed by the already seasoned, certified and experienced staff already there who are desperate to get out of the bad situation that they have found themselves in.
If you are state-side, I suggest the TESOL Convention being held March 17-19 at New Orleans. You spend less by going there and you get to party naked in one of the greatest cities God ever thunk up!
NCTBA |
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Neutrino Girl
Joined: 01 Apr 2010 Posts: 128
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:32 am Post subject: |
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Hey CT,
You may be better off looking in Saudi or in SE / NE Asia, where the need for quals isn't so stringent. If you want to stay in the field, you could always work and study for a Masters via distance and then score one of the better, higher paying jobs when you have attained that.
NG |
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Canuck_teacher
Joined: 04 Nov 2010 Posts: 4
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 2:09 pm Post subject: |
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Neutrino Girl wrote: |
Hey CT,
You may be better off looking in Saudi or in SE / NE Asia, where the need for quals isn't so stringent. If you want to stay in the field, you could always work and study for a Masters via distance and then score one of the better, higher paying jobs when you have attained that.
NG |
Really? Are there no opportunities in the UAE for my qualifications?
Your comments on Minimum quals would be appreciated.
Cheers
CT |
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Neutrino Girl
Joined: 01 Apr 2010 Posts: 128
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 2:15 pm Post subject: |
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Canuck_teacher wrote: |
Neutrino Girl wrote: |
Hey CT,
You may be better off looking in Saudi or in SE / NE Asia, where the need for quals isn't so stringent. If you want to stay in the field, you could always work and study for a Masters via distance and then score one of the better, higher paying jobs when you have attained that.
NG |
Really? Are there no opportunities in the UAE for my qualifications?
Your comments on Minimum quals would be appreciated.
Cheers
CT |
I would say that minimally, you should have a Bachelors and a CELTA. That would be for the language schools like ELS, and maybe the British Council. |
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TABING
Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 123 Location: right behind you
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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With a Bachelors and a CELTA, HCT would consider you IF you are working on, or are applying for a distance Masters. |
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Canuck_teacher
Joined: 04 Nov 2010 Posts: 4
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Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 1:20 am Post subject: |
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TABING wrote: |
With a Bachelors and a CELTA, HCT would consider you IF you are working on, or are applying for a distance Masters. |
Hi Tabing,
Thanks for that, and certainly not opposed for doing a Masters at all. Probably something I should have done a while ago
What does HCT stand for - out of curiosity - I am a newbie to the UAE
Cheers
CT |
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veiledsentiments

Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
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Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 1:24 am Post subject: |
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Canuck_teacher wrote: |
Really? Are there no opportunities in the UAE for my qualifications?
Your comments on Minimum quals would be appreciated. |
One problem is that you haven't told us what your qualifications are. I told you the minimum up at the top of the page and now two other posters have confirmed them. You also need 3+ years of good experience for a place like HCT. (ie... not conversation classes or private lessons)
VS |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed

Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 3500 Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 1:48 am Post subject: |
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Canuck_teacher wrote: |
TABING wrote: |
With a Bachelors and a CELTA, HCT would consider you IF you are working on, or are applying for a distance Masters. |
Hi Tabing,
Thanks for that, and certainly not opposed for doing a Masters at all. Probably something I should have done a while ago
What does HCT stand for - out of curiosity - I am a newbie to the UAE
Cheers
CT |
HCT = Higher Colleges of Technology.
There is a rumour that the HCT will merge with the Institute of Applied Technology. However, as they are governed by two different ministries, there has been disagreement on what to call the soon-to-be merged system.
An agreement, tho has come about. In keeping a bit of the IAT in the new name as well as respecting the transparency and the technological know-how of the HCT, the new merged entity will be called from now on:
The Higher Colleges of Implied Technology...
...only not within earshot of the management goons...
NCTBA |
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TABING
Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 123 Location: right behind you
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Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 5:46 am Post subject: |
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Some have always wondered about the "Higher" in Higher Colleges.
Higher than what? |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed

Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 3500 Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:19 am Post subject: |
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TABING wrote: |
Some have always wondered about the "Higher" in Higher Colleges.
Higher than what? |
A kite...
NCTBA |
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Gus Barkley
Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 78
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Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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Higher in terms of English proficiency when they graduate... as opposed to my supposed "research U" where many of my colleagues teach in Arabic. |
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elmoro
Joined: 12 Feb 2010 Posts: 58 Location: The Emerald City
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 6:56 am Post subject: |
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UNLESS YOU REALLY NEED MONEY, stay away!!! can you put a price tag on your sanity? don't get caught in the teacher trap in the gulf UNLESS you have a financial plan. STICK TO THE PLAN and don't deviate from it! Be very frugal and don't buy anything you can't walk away from in the case that (when) upper admin makes decisions that only seem smart on paper but are costly for those in the trenches (and teaching english in the gulf is trench warfare).
HCT House of Constant Torture
IAT Insane Asylum for Teenagers (i have worked there and i know)
if you really want to teach in the uae and you actually like children and teaching, find a nice international school with a decent admin and have fun. stress on decent admin!!!
if you want the money, be prepared for the pain and memorize lord alfred tennyson "charge of the light brigade". You WILL NOT reason why and YOU WILL do or die. if you found out a way to reason why, you will still do or die. even if you found out why, you will still do or die. finally, after you have spend so much time reasoning why, you will be done and be "died" (esl insider). charleton heston said it best when he fiqured out what was going on, "IT"S A MAD HOUSE, A MAD HOUSE!"
elmoro
THE HORROR, THE HORROR |
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Middle East Beast

Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree
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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 3:10 am Post subject: |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed wrote: |
TABING wrote: |
Some have always wondered about the "Higher" in Higher Colleges.
Higher than what? |
A kite...
NCTBA |
Outstanding NCTBA!!!  |
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