Job Discussion Forums

randytheringworm · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 25

I duly registered for the TESOL Arabia coference/job fair some weeks ago.

Checking their website periodically, I notice that of the employers listed as having registered for the job fair, almost all are from Saudi Arabia, with 1 from Kuwait, 1 from Oman, and 1 from the UAE , the country where the job fair is located, and this less than two weeks before the beginning of the conference.

Are more employers going to pile on at the last minute? Or has the action moved elsewhere? I know that some of the universities in the UAE will be at IATEFL in Brighton, England and TESOL in New Orleans. But I am in Qatar and it seems crazy to go all the way to those places when I'm already in the region.

Can anyone suggest other conferences?

Thanks.

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

I would assume that this is mostly a reflection of the usual rampant procrastination found in the Gulf. I would be very surprised if there are many, if any, employers who would choose to attend either TESOL or IATEFL to the exclusion of TESOLArabia. And I have never heard of any other job fairs/conventions with significant ME jobs. If you are an International School K-12 teacher, there are job fairs in the US for those - worldwide jobs.

I'd say that TA is the top choice by a long shot...

VS

GriffinParka · Joined: 16 Dec 2010 Posts: 41 Location: West London

I hear that Western employers with Libyan vacancies will be turning up at the very last moment. Could this be the 'new horizon' we've all been waiting for...?!

Citizenkane · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 234 Location: Xanadu

I notice the British Council is at TESOL Arabia this year. Interesting, I don't recall them having been there before. In general though, the line-up is pretty poor. Anyone for Hail? Or Nizwa?

Wouldn't be surprised if other employers sign up at the last minute, this being typical of the way things are done in this part of the world. Anyone planning to head over for TESOL this year? I was thinking of it, but none of the employers looks attractive to me, so I won't bother this year.

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

It seems that a few employers are passing this year... some are unhappy with last year's disorganization... some just need few teachers this year.

VS

sheikh yer money-maker · Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 79 Location: Saudi Arabia

It pretty much sucked last year, too. Pretty much because the same guy (ex-MLI) who now works for CERT was running it. They took it out of his hands in 2006, but made the idiot decision to put him back in charge.

I'm sure that this year will have stellar results! Rolling Eyes