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Oshman
Joined: 12 Aug 2011
Posts: 6
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 Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 11:14 pm Post subject: Advice needed, please. |
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I plan on completing the CELTA course in the next few months and would eventually like to teach at university level in the UAE.
So far, I have:
A degree in Law
An MA in History
A PGCE in post-compulsory education
(All from UK universities).
1 year experience of teaching in an FE College, mainly 16-19 year olds and adults.
1.5 terms of teaching as an unqualified teacher in a primary school (5-11 year olds).
Would I need more experience and an MA in TESOL/AL to attain a university teaching position in the UAE?
Please note that this is a long-term aim. I would be happy to teach young children in Asia at the moment.
Thanks in advance for your help. |
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Middle East Beast
Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 836
Location: Up a tree
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| Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 11:32 pm Post subject: Re: Advice needed, please. |
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| Oshman wrote: |
I plan on completing the CELTA course in the next few months and would eventually like to teach at university level in the UAE.
So far, I have:
A degree in Law
An MA in History
A PGCE in post-compulsory education
(All from UK universities).
1 year experience of teaching in an FE College, mainly 16-19 year olds and adults.
1.5 terms of teaching as an unqualified teacher in a primary school (5-11 year olds).
Would I need more experience and an MA in TESOL/AL to attain a university teaching position in the UAE?
Please note that this is a long-term aim. I would be happy to teach young children in Asia at the moment.
Thanks in advance for your help. |
I don't know your situation, but if I had a law degree I wouldn't even think about TEFL.
Yeah, you'll need an MA for the college positions in the UAE. At least I think so...I've never come across a TEFLer with a law degree.
MEB  |
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Oshman
Joined: 12 Aug 2011
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 11:57 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, MEB.
I hated doing the Law degree. I found it very dry and boring, but managed to stick it out. The thought of a career in Law fills me with dread!
I've enjoyed the teaching I have done so far and would like to live abroad too, so TEFL seems the ideal choice.
I was told that having an MA in History would open doors for me in the UAE, but I am a bit sceptical about this as surely I would need an MA in TEFL/AL as well? |
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helenl
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Posts: 1202
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| Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 12:38 am Post subject: |
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At the university level you will need an EFL related masters plus 3 years post grad experience in order to have a good chance at tertiary level positions.
Speaking and listening are the usual strengths of Arab learners - reading and writing much less so - so the more experience you have in the latter, the better your chances. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 1:43 am Post subject: |
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| Oshman wrote: |
| I was told that having an MA in History would open doors for me in the UAE, but I am a bit sceptical about this as surely I would need an MA in TEFL/AL as well? |
Absolutely you need a degree related to what you are teaching... I don't know of any university level employer where an MA in History would be accepted. You also need more experience in teaching university level Academic English... and as helen says preferably in reading and writing.
And... Middle East Beastie?
I taught with a TEFLer who also had a British law degree... and quickly washed up on the shores of TEFLdom in the Gulf and beyond...
VS |
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Middle East Beast
Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 836
Location: Up a tree
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| Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:33 am Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| Oshman wrote: |
| I was told that having an MA in History would open doors for me in the UAE, but I am a bit sceptical about this as surely I would need an MA in TEFL/AL as well? |
Absolutely you need a degree related to what you are teaching... I don't know of any university level employer where an MA in History would be accepted. You also need more experience in teaching university level Academic English... and as helen says preferably in reading and writing.
And... Middle East Beastie?
I taught with a TEFLer who also had a British law degree... and quickly washed up on the shores of TEFLdom in the Gulf and beyond...
VS |
But, but, but...WHY????????? 
MEB |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 3:12 am Post subject: |
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I'm thinking that a legal degree in the US is different from a legal degree in the UK... and that the job is different once you finish. Whereas in the US, getting a law degree is considered the ticket to the Big Bucks, I don't think it is as true in the UK.
VS |
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Middle East Beast
Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 836
Location: Up a tree
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| Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 3:25 am Post subject: |
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Or maybe it's because they have to wear those wigs in court (no offense to my Brit buds). 
MEB |
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Oshman
Joined: 12 Aug 2011
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 9:17 am Post subject: |
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| helenl wrote: |
At the university level you will need an EFL related masters plus 3 years post grad experience in order to have a good chance at tertiary level positions.
Speaking and listening are the usual strengths of Arab learners - reading and writing much less so - so the more experience you have in the latter, the better your chances. |
Thanks, that's just confirmed what I thought.
One more thing: I've read on here that teaching experience in Asia isn't looked upon too well when it comes to applying for jobs in the UAE. I was hoping to go and teach in Japan or SE Asia for a couple of years when I have completed my CELTA, and then apply for an MA in TESOL/AL and look for work in the UAE after I have completed it. Would this be a viable option?
oh and MEB: The wigs are definitely a fashion faux pas. The capes however... |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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It is not teaching in Asia at all that is a problem. It is just that so many teachers in that part of the country have done nothing but conversation classes. With Arab students the problem is keeping them quiet. As always, it will depend on how related your experience is to what you will be teaching. If you were teaching at university level there... all skills... Academic English, it will be acceptable to the employers.
VS |
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Oshman
Joined: 12 Aug 2011
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:18 pm Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
It is not teaching in Asia at all that is a problem. It is just that so many teachers in that part of the country have done nothing but conversation classes. With Arab students the problem is keeping them quiet. As always, it will depend on how related your experience is to what you will be teaching. If you were teaching at university level there... all skills... Academic English, it will be acceptable to the employers.
VS |
Thanks so much for your advice. It sounds like my plan to get the CELTA, teach in Asia for a couple of years and then do the MA is the way to go initially. |
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