Job Discussion Forums

[JBrown]

I am looking into teaching abroad and would like some suggestions and information. I have a BA in English Lit and a MA in English. I worked for four semesters as the GTA of my department. Three of which I tutored international students (mainly Chinese and some SA); the other semester was research based. I plan on getting my CELTA in Jan in Denver. What do you experienced people think I could expect for job offers in UAE? I have read many of your posts, and while some of the posters seem quite rude (maybe because they are scared of people with actual degrees?) I think that this seems like a wonderful place to live and work. So, I suppose I am looking for:

1) where should I start applying at? Please don't just use abbreviations, because I am not sure what they all mean. Links would be very helpful!

2) what kind of pay can I expect?

3) what are the best cities to work in and why? (I'm not looking to be a tourist!)

4) what kind of Internet can I expect?

5) are there any other countries that I should look into with my specific qualifications?

[mimi_intheworld]

With a BA & MA you can try your hand at university jobs. You may also find possible work at private secondary schools (though officially you need a teaching certificate from your home country/state). I work at the secondary level so don't know much about the universities in Abu Dhabi, but I hear HCT (Higher Colleges of Technology) is not great, Zayed University and UAE University are better, but harder to get a place. Your qualifications are kind of minimal, but look through the recruitment posts here on Dave's to start with.

[mimi_intheworld]

Oh. Your other questions:

1) answered (sort of)

2) anywhere from 12000-20000 Dhm/month (anything lower is simply unacceptable, really)

3) Abu Dhabi is where the money is. I hear good things about Al Ain but still haven't been there. Further north/east, in the smaller emirates, I hear there's good money to be had in Sharjah, but because it's the only "dry" emirate, people don't tend to go there. Well, Westerners. Well sometimes. Fewer people, anyway. Dubai is bankrupt, so rent may be cheap - but your housing should be paid for as part of your contract.

4) Internet varies. Well, a bit. In the cities, there are wifi hotspots (usually paid via ordering a latte) all over, and setting up your own internet is not difficult to do. It takes 1-10 days. The further away from main cities you go, the spottier the internet. Like anywhere in the universe, really.

5) Are there any other countries you're interested in moving to? Will you have bills back home to pay off? Are you planning to save for the future or just have a good time wherever you are at the moment? Is this a career move for you, or something you want to do for awhile before you settle on what you REALLY mean to do? (I ask because there are loads of countries in the world who want you to go and teach English there, but the pay and other amenities differ wildly.)

Really, look at a map and decide on a few places you think you might be interested in living. Then browse the recruiting options. Or, I mean, if you have a connection somewhere - go there. As far as the Middle East goes, I hear TESOL Arabia is the place to be. http://tesolarabia.org/index.php

[veiledsentiments]

The biggest catch for JBrown is that he has an unrelated MA and no full-time experience. Adding the CELTA may help overcome the MA problem, but the better university employers are pretty insistent on 2 or 3 years of full-time related experience after the MA.

It all depends on supply and demand. It never hurts to apply... all you lose is the time to enter it onto the computer these days.

VS

[JBrown]

[veiledsentiments]

Good idea to go with an employer that you know. Try to pick up some experience teaching Academic English... especially writing.

[Eisenhorn]

[JBrown]

That is looking like the plan. Which is better to get: the CELTA or the DELTA? Or are they about the same?

[veiledsentiments]

Personally I would get the CELTA and look into adding a second MA if you really want to stay in the field.

VS