Job Discussion Forums

[a grain of sand]

Hi,

New to this forum and new in Kuwait here, a big hello to all of you
I have a Masters in English Lit., and have done an online Tefl course- but have no work experience. I'm wondering what my best job options would be (in plain speak i don't know what i want to do )

Will i be laughed at if i applied for a Writing instructor post at any university? how about teaching in schools? Please share your views.
Peace!

[veiledsentiments]

First off online TEFL certs are not recognized in the Middle East and your lack of experience is crucial. The top jobs in the field are teaching writing at the universities, and your lack of experience or related credentials would make you unqualified. The writing courses are mostly basic academic essay and research. That said, there are some private universities that are more lax in their hiring and may consider your unrelated MA and overlook lack of experience to get a native speaker (assuming that you are one and holding a Western passport). Pay is lower, of course, and conditions can be unpleasant.

The better K-12 schools require a legitimate teaching certificate/license from your home country. Again, there are schools that would likely take you if you are a native speaker... low pay... even lower conditions. (read a few of the threads here on various schools... some are rather scary)

I would suggest that you look into getting a CELTA to give some legitimate training that employers recognize. If that is not possible, I would look into doing private lessons. That would also give you some contacts and you can scope out the various schools... and universities... and see what kind of teaching you like to do. (kids? adolescents? university? writing? basic EFL?) It would give you a feel of what kind of problems Arabic speakers have if this is your first introduction to the language.

VS

[a grain of sand]

Thanks a lot for your reply, VS. am beginning to see some threads i'd like to follow My passport says I'm Indian and my master's is from US. I looked into the CELTa course offered by British Council in Kuwait. Do you know of some other place which offers the course in Kuwait?

With a CELTA certificate do you think it will be possible to work as an English instructor in a decent university here? I'm shying away from teaching in schools - have kids of my own and one of the reasons am venturing out for a job is to get some 'no'kids time' for myself

You sound like someone who knows the scene well, hence the barrage of questions. Thanks
love & peace!

[veiledsentiments]

[a grain of sand]

Thanks again, VS. I'll keep hoping that kuwait has something good in store for me:)