Job Discussion Forums

[gursky]

Hi All,

This is my first post on this forum.
My husband and I are planning to move to UAE next year. He's an English teacher (native speaker), has a Bachelors degree (graphic design from a non UK university), he has got his CELTA in 2006 and he tought English in a reputable language school in the UK with his CELTA for 4 years. He is now doing his Language Education Masters in University of Edinburgh. Basically when he finishes his masters he'll hopefully be qualified enough to apply for jobs in UAE. We're both British citizens, I'm not a native speaker but I'm fluent.
I'm a freelance photographer, due to the nature of my business it'll probably take sometime for me to start earning a living so the question is could we survive with only my husband's income to start with.
He constanly receives very good feedback from his students in the school and has some private students even here in Edinburgh, so giving private lessons is also an option for an extra income. He also speaks Turkish as a native language but I guess this wouldn't be very helpful.
It seems like best time to look for jobs in the Middle East is late spring, early summer, is that right?

Another thing is we have two cats and I wonder how difficult it is to take them with us.
Thanks a lot for reading and looking forward to hearing your advice/recommendations/warnings.

[veiledsentiments]

One warning is that there are few (none?) "language school" jobs in the UAE that do foreign hires. They find local hires and thus provide only hourly pay and no benefits. So that is not an option for you. The majority of jobs with good pay and benefits (that will nicely support both of you) require an MA (completed... NOT in process) and most of them require 2-5 years experience AFTER the MA. Another catch is that employers will not even consider a CV that says that the MA is in process. Do not apply until the MA is officially completed.

Private lessons are not accepted as experience by many employers, and there is not a huge private lesson market in the UAE as there is in many countries. Most EFL jobs are teaching university level Academic English, so basic conversation type language school jobs will not be much help on the CV either.

And the best time to looks for jobs - and most hiring - is done from January through March for the next academic year. I would suggest that he look first to Oman where it is easier to get a job with just his CELTA and experience - BUT - they too are getting more strict about credentials. I'm not sure if they would count the 'new' MA. The pay is less in Oman, but it can provide a couple years experience and open many more good job opportunities.

VS
(and I know many people who have brought their pets to both the UAE and Oman)

[gursky]

thank you for your reply.
We have no intention of applying before he finishes his Masters.
For sure he is not going to put his private lessons on his CV. That's just an idea that could potentially bring a little extra income.
I think we would wait another year or so before applying for a job rather than applying a job with only his CELTA.
thanks again

[gursky]

Most EFL jobs are teaching university level Academic English, so basic conversation type language school jobs will not be much help on the CV either.

Just to add, He hasn't been teaching in those type of schools you've mentioned above. He's been teaching Academic English to adults of all levels, plus IELTS and Cambridge exam preparation classes and business English classes in a British council accredited school.

[veiledsentiments]

[helenl]

As for taking on private lessons - the employment contract will almost certainly contain a clause that the employee cannot work for any other employer (or for himself) without the express written consent of the primary employer - and most will be unlikely to give it if you were IMHO silly enough to ask.

It is illegal to work for anyone other than your sponsor (your employer) and you jeopardize any end of service benefits if you do so.

Do people still do it? Yes. Is it likely you might be found out - probably not directly by your employer. However, be aware that if someone is ticked off with you and knows about private lessons (or even a disgruntled student) you could be ratted on.

As a parallel - everybody used to employ part time maids without sponsorship, the authorities are cracking down on the practice (which continues nonetheless) - the fine to the sponsor is AED100,000 and deportation for the maid. Maids are treated differently than teachers but the authorities do look at it as the sponsor's responsibiltity to make sure employees obey the laws, hence the clause in the contract.

[desertdawg]

The days of post MA experience being a prerequisite to the better jobs in the Arabian Gulf are long gone.

Institutions are even happy to take you on knowing that you are in the process of getting an MA or thinking about starting. HCT don't even require an MA any more.

BUT take the above with a pinch of salt and apply (pun intended) to your own circumstances. My recent experience is tempered by the fact that I have a diploma and a lot of related experience.

Oman is easier to get into. Although less money and you could have a very isolated location which might not suit you in looking for work. I would suggest putting the feelers out and starting out on HCT's laborious application process.

Good luck!

[veiledsentiments]

[thegoodprofessor]

Working outside of the contract isn't allowed and you'd be surprised at how everyone knows everything about everyone in these areas. There are no secrets.
You have to have a resident card to do any work which means you need a sponsor of the Gulf country that you are in. Domestic workers seem to be overlooked but everyone else is subject to the laws. There are a LOT of tattletailers in these countries and they are usually expaits.

[mimi_intheworld]

[gursky]

Thank you all for your replies. We haven't decide yet, I'll probably be back with more Qs