Job Discussion Forums

[JohnRambo]

I am working on finishing an M.A. in TESOL and French; I have 3 1/2 years of teaching experience in South Korea, and I am a certified teacher in the US; I taught social studies. What are the ideal jobs to go for in the UAE? I speak English, French, and Arabic fluently and am an American citizen (Canadian born). I am currently a teaching assistant at a university, and I have taught French and Arabic to college students.

What is the visa process like? One thing that does worry me is that about 9 years ago I had a DWI on my record which I deeply regret. What does the background check entail?


Thank you,

[Sheikh N Bake]

Worry about the visa later--good jobs don't grow on trees in the UAE. Worry about getting the job first. Then the employer guides you through the visa process. And no, I don't think a nine-year-old DWI is any problem unless you injured somebody and/or went to jail.

The best-paying jobs in the UAE are with Zayed U, American U of Sharjah, the Higher Colleges system (sort of--money is reasonably good but management never stops harassing you), UAEU, and maybe one or two others.

You need three years' post-MA teaching experience, generally speaking. Otherwise you're stuck with the K-12 sector. Furthermore, I had two MA degrees in relevant fields and nine years experience including two in Saudi Arabia...and the Higher Colleges still turned me down. They hired me two years later. Your experience is still limited but you can try.

[JohnRambo]