Job Discussion Forums

abdulrahman · Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 13 Location: USA

Assallam Alaikum Everybody!

As the title says I am a white muslim revert with a BA in Philosophy from Upstate New York, and I am interested in teaching english in either Oman or Egypt. I have no teaching experience so far, not even the TEFL certificate as of yet, but I do plan on paying for the course if my future prospects look copacetic. From perusing the ME boards it seems that these two countries would be my best bet with my limited credentials. Muslim and non-muslim friends have given me mixed opinions on the matter of teaching abroad as it would be outside my field, but a great life expanding experience. I am currently in a dead end relationship, looking to get out, and in debt which is a big negative, and unislamic as well. I am working as a lab tech, planning to go into Pharmacy school after finishing what will take two years of prereqs, but feel like I might be better off teaching abroad for 5 years or so, saving up some money, extricating myself from the draining relationship, and strengthening my religion.

So, what do you guys think? After the recent Israeli-Lebanon war, is a dearth of minimally qualified English language teachers in these two countries?

I could clear up a lot of negatives in my life by teaching abroad in the ME for a while, albeit push back my final Pharmacy objective a number of years, but life is more about the path, not the goal sometimes. I should add, also, that I was planning on bringing tons of books along with me to bone up on my Biology and Chemistry before going back to the US, and that drinking and the night scene really isn't for me as I am beyond that point in life.

Thanks,
Abdul Rahman

omanized · Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 152

I don't know about Egypt but you will have very little success in finding work in Oman with no experience or even a tefl cert. - esl teaching is not rocket science, that is true , but could anyone just walk into a new field with no relevent experience or qualifications?

And, if I may ask, why do you use the term 'revert' ? Bear in mind that the spiritual communion you seek in the Arab world may be slightly disappointing - anything you may consider 'unislamic' and assume could not happen over here is simply wrong - we are all the same brother, good and bad, liars, cheaters, saints and sinners - the average repayment period for a personal loan here in Oman is 14.75 years because the banks will allow several deferrals ( with subsequent penalties and accrued interest ) so if debt is unislamic, then you won't find much faith here.....

This opinion is my own, based on personal and anecdotal experience as well as statistics compiled by an HSBC audit. Dave's ESL Cafe assumes no responsibility for opinions expressed on this forum ya da ya da ya da....

omanized

abdulrahman · Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 13 Location: USA

Okay, thanks for the reply. Any other takers?

abdulrahman · Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 13 Location: USA

Omanized, I use the term "revert" because in Islam it is believed that everyone is a muslim upon birth, only after childhood one is shaped by family and the environment into non-muslims. So, technically speaking when a person changes their religion to Islam, they are reverting back to the righteous path, the original path we were meant to stay on. I understand good and evil run through all of us, muslim and non-muslim alike, but what I meant was that I would like to live in a muslim country to gain all the benefits of living with other muslims even if some have turned away. I was in Turkey two years ago for a few weeks, and I enjoyed hearing the athan five times a day, eating meals without worrying if the meat is halal, and generally being with other muslims.

Oxford Seminars should not advertise that one needs a BA + their certificate to teach in the ME if clearly more experience and credentials are required.

nomadykaty · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 60

Don't believe everything TEFL/TESL certification programs say, the ME is big and the requirements are different for each country.

You could come to Oman with a BA and a TEFL cert, but you'll be competing with people who have EFL teaching experience and a lot more qualifications than you.

Egypt may be a better choice for you.

stoth1972 · Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:58 am Post subject:

A.R: I responded to this on the ME board.

Hector_Lector · Joined: 20 Apr 2004 Posts: 548

Why not go to Saudi Arabia. Surely that is your spiritual home. Then you will annoy fewer people and have the chance to be sloser to paradise

stoth1972 · Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 9:00 am Post subject:

yaramaz · Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 10:52 am Post subject:

How about Yemen? They dont pay much but you'd get experience and pretty intense immersion there without the need for too many higher credentials or experience. I think I saw a few schools only asking for BAs.

(Note: this is all based on gleanings and inquiries and not at all on first hand experience so please dont hold it against me if I am horribly wrong)

abdulrahman · Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 13 Location: USA

For some reason I think that Yemen would be too unsafe for me. I am still a pudgy, white suburban guy even if I AM a muslim. Very Happy

yaramaz · Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 1:57 pm Post subject:

I've met equally pudgy white suburban non muslims who went there and really enjoyed it. It wasnt so easy for the pudgy white suburban women, but that tends to be the case more often than not anyway. Check into it anyway, as it is a valid option.

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

I put my response on the General ME board.

Personally I find the term 'revert' a bit offensive and rather arrogant in its assumptions. IMHO, one is free to use that term when speaking Arabic, but when one is speaking English, the word is 'convert.'

VS

Aliskander · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 50

I personally don't care what term you use to describe yourself - what does bother me is that you obviously think (like so many other people) that teaching English is an easy job just to while away the time and get some money behind you.
Like many other people who teach English i spent years studying, getting relevant qualifications and even working for free to get experience before i ever set foot in the real world of English language teaching. Quite frankly unless your whole heart is in it - then please do not come anywhere near the English language teaching world. Where i work there have recently been 3 terminations due to the fact that the teachers were of the mind that teaching is easy and should be treated as a holiday, not as a job, WRONG!
From your post, i really do not think that you would be the right person or a dedicated enough person to teach the students - especially in Oman.

Absolutely no offence meant - i am just concerned about your motives for wanting to join the teaching profession.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

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

Gordon, I was not the least bothered by his fact of converting to any religion, and I have the greatest respect for Islam after my many years of living in that part of the world. My only problem is with the term "revert" which assumes that all the rest of us have just fallen from the path. I have the same problem with Christian religions that baptize babies who are unable to have made a choice. But again I digress... and will shut up before the MODS show up and lock the thread.

Aliskander... yes it does get tiresome those who think of this field as a hobby or something to play around with for a couple years. Unfortunately, this is also the opinion of many employers, which is why the field is so little respected in many places. ... which came first, the chicken or the egg?

VS