Job Discussion Forums

[madhatter109]

Hi everybody,
I was wondering about my chances of getting a good job in Saudi Arabia without a CELTA. I have 2 years teaching experience with both children and adults in America and Korea. I'm pretty confident in my knowledge and skills, but still, I don't have that extremely expensive piece of paper.

I'm currently teaching in America and barely surviving on the wages. Coming up with the 3-4 thousand dollars to travel across the country to obtain my CELTA doesn't sound very probable. I guess I could take out another credit card.

Also, I heard that a person's chances of getting a job in Saudi Arabia without a CELTA are better than in Oman. But is Oman, in your opinion, a better place to work? Sorry for the ramblings, but here are my questions:

1. Do you recommend that I take out another credit card and put the 3-4 grand on it to get better job offers?

2. What are my chances of getting good work in Saudi or Oman without a CELTA? Would one of those online degrees help?

3. What's the best place for a 25 year-old with only 2 years experience to land a job? I don't really want to go back to Korea and the rest of Asia/Europe doesn't pay enough (Lots of credit debt and college loans). Don't get me wrong though, I've always been extremely fascinated with the middle east and it sounds like fun!


Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[madhatter109]

[sheikher]

Have you considered mutual funds? Plenty of fun there!

The Middle East is a fine substitute for the Foreign Legion, but eventually the banks will catch up to you!

Forget the CELTA, try for a Saudi language academy ("hakwon"), and let the festivities commence!

Your easiest option is to arrive on a pilgrimage visa and pound the pavement, as kazillions others have done before you (and continue to).

International House and Berlitz in Al-Hasa are your best bets.

[veiledsentiments]

Is it a good investment? Probably not on a credit card. To be honest, if I was 25, I wouldn't want to head to the Gulf. But you are correct that without it, you have little or no chance to get a job... likely even with the sleaziest abusive employers in these countries. You do NOT want to be stuck in Saudi with one of these. A fresh new CELTA with your mere 2 years of experience won't get you much further.

Personally, I would save up some money, sign up for the CELTA at the British Council in Cairo, and fly to Egypt. That will give you a little experience with Arabic speakers and it is a fun place to spend some time. To get a "good job" in the Gulf, you need some more experience and you could probably find a 'survival pay' job in Cairo to fluff up your CV.

Then you might look into the Teaching Fellowship program at AUC and get a free MA in TEFL. That is a two year time investment that will pay back...

VS
(a search for IH and Berlitz on the Saudi board will be examples of the bottom of the barrel employment that you can abuse yourself with... )

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

OP, in case you don't know, sheikher's having a go atcha...

Shame on you, sheikher...

NCTBA

[madhatter109]

haha, well heck, this doesn't help!

Yeah, I have a pretty nice job here in America....the problem is it doesn't pay enough. (1400 per month + USA Living Expenses). Not to mention my current school doesn't have any room for personal advancement. Mostly retirees working here, it's one of those adult vocational schools. Not really heading anywhere, but I think it will look good on a CV. So what do you recommend?

[scot47]

I have known people who had PhD's and years of experience who were REQUIRED to do a CELTA before they were accepted

[veiledsentiments]

[sheikher]

Seriously, CELTA and other credible trainers (and some incredible opportunists) have travelling circuses that make the rounds to campuses scattered across USA. Go to your nearest university and check the bulletin boards -- especially the Faculty of Education's corridors. Perhaps a student union rep can advise. Don't you maintain occasional contact with your alma mater?

Or, as your yourself suggest, spiff up your CV by grinding it out for a few years at the vocational school. Moonlight at the petrol station if necessary.

Volunteerism in your specialized field, as your President takes pains to remind you, also enhances CVs. If there's a language institute for international students in your city, pound that pavement.

[veiledsentiments]

The CELTA is really hard to find in the US. I have been through the search with a number of people here and it tends to be in large cities... never near where one is...

This makes sense since the CELTA isn't required in the US by the vast majority of employers. Most have never heard of it...

VS

[madhatter109]

[sheikher]

My friend Google reveals http://www.learn4good.com/tefl/tefl_training_usa.htm , some of which might be "opportunistic".






Have I redeemed myself?

[madhatter109]

[madhatter109]