Job Discussion Forums

[Kublakhan]

Hello,

First time poster here, so a big as-salam alaykum to you all

Saudi Arabia - so I've read - is where the money is, and the reason why so many of you, perhaps, decide upon teaching there: I can only assume if money wasn't the primary motive however, the vast majority of you would not be there now, right?

I am sure as nice as the country, people, food and whatever else, as I understand it, it can be quite a brutal place to live what with the many cultural restraints and searing heat in the summer to consider.

But, as I said earlier, it's where the money is, besides I could use a tan and a life away from the booze anyway!

I am in my final year of an (hons) degree in English lang + lit and whilst already in possession of a TEFL cert I will more than likely, in addition to this, be looking at completing my CELTA after my degree has finished. After a proposed number of years teaching academic English in S.E. Asia, which would bring me into my mid-thirties, I will more than likely be ready for a change of scenery with Saudi high on the list.

What I would like to ask you guys in the field now is: In the years ahead, how do you predict the job market to be in Saudi Arabia? Moreover, what qualifications would one need to seriously consider a half decent future over there?

I am more than happy to continue my studies after my degree has finished and have deliberated over a MA TESOL, taught, not an online job, or perhaps a MA in Education, as I believe both be a prudent choice to have in ones arsenal in a job market such as Saudi or UAE; I would even consider taking up Arabic for a year prior to my arrival.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

ma'a salama

[scot47]

Boring is the adjective I wouold use rather than brutal. The OP's problem will be jobs are hard to get for thopse with no experienvce. At least 2 years experience is normally required.

[veiledsentiments]

[Kublakhan]

[Kublakhan]

[veiledsentiments]

[dutchman]

Theoretically speaking, Applied Linguistics is broader than TESOL, as the former includes branches such as forensic or computational linguistics, which might be of little use to EFL teachers. But if you do an MA in Applied Linguistics, chances are that you are not going to study these, as most universities only focus on Second Language Acquisition, Sociolinguistics and Language Teaching.

[johnslat]

But, strangely enough, in my experience, an MA in Applied Linguistics, though providing less practical application to classroom teachers than an MA in TESOL, seems to have more cachet, more "snob appeal" to many employers at institutions in the M.E.
As for an MA in Ed,. unless things have changed a lot, that'll most likely get your resume tossed into the circular file.

Regards,
John

[dutchman]

[johnslat]

Dear dutchman,

Yes, I know - ergo "snob appeal."

Regards,
John

[veiledsentiments]

Ah, so we're back to "a rose by any other name" In the US, each university decides what they will call it. Personally I would look at the courses offered and take the one that appealed to my interests. As long as it is focused on language acquisition... teaching English as a foreign language... employers should accept it.

VS

[Kublakhan]