Job Discussion Forums

[Citizenkane]

[Mr TEFL]

Regarding the IPA:

I'm assuming that Saudi teachers make up a lot of the IPA ELC staff and that the IPA sends the prospective teachers abroad to study an MA/PhD/ EdD etc. and they repay this by working at the IPA upon their return? This is a slightly different issue, don't you think? Although it's true that these Saudi teachers are NNESTs, the IPA can't discriminate against them for that because they have to give them jobs. They have a quota to fill which is is probably prescribed by the Ministry of Education. However, if you're from Pakistan, Sudan or any other place you are not covered by this quota. You have to apply with all the other NESTs and NNESTs, possibly through their website on the net which stipulates 'native speakers'.

Here's an excerpt from their job ad:

Qualifications: Native speaker with MA in TESOL or Applied Linguistics, English, Education or related fields. Preference for applicants with teaching experience.

Here's the link:
http://www.ipa.edu.sa/en/3.asp

[johnslat]

Dear Mr TEFL,

I can't speak to the current situation at the IPA, having left in 2003. However, back then, the majority of teachers in the English Language Center from countries where English is not the native language came from all over: North Africa, Iraq, sub-Sahara Africa, Lebanon, Palestine, etc. We even had one from Iran (who, however, had become a US citizen; all the others mentioned were citizens of the countries mentioned.)

There were a few Saudi teachers, usually two or three, employees of the IPA who would teach in the ELC for a little while and then go to the US to get their Masters/PhD.s. The IPA didn't "have to give them jobs" because they were already IPA employees. No other Saudis besides IPA employees worked in the ELC, and, as mentioned, they were a very small number.

It's true the site stipulates "native speakers," but unless the situation has changed dramatically since I left, there should be a lot of "non-native speakers" who are hired. As I mentioned in an earlier post, in 2003, teachers from countries where English is not the native language (and I'm not referring to Saudis here) made up about 35% to 40% of the ELC teaching staff. And, at that time, the trend seemed to be towards increasing that percentage.

Regards,
John

[dutchman]

Is it fine then if I apply to a vacancy where they say "Native speaker with MA in TESOL" ? Obviously, there is no harm in applying, but would it simply be a waste of time, or do I actually have any chance of getting employed if I have the right qualifications and experience?

[johnslat]

Dear dutchman,

Go for it - nothing ventured, nothing gained. And, as I said, there certainly were a LOT of non-Saudi, "non-native speakers" on the staff when I left there - very different from what it had been like back in the 80s and early 90s.

Regards,
John

[lazycomputerkids]

[johnslat]

Just don't interview again for that job you slammed the door on.

My motto: Never burn your bridges in front of you.

Regards,
John

[lazycomputerkids]

[johnslat]

Dear LCK,

Nope, I didn't "just make that up." I made it up decades ago, And, since it's MY motto, it's been "time-tested" by me.

But I admire your dedication to making the world a better place.

Regards,
John

[Mr TEFL]

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this discussion.

[freesoul]

Faced with such ads, I think it is always not a bad idea to send your CV even if you are not a so-called 'native'. This is what I used to do during my hectic job-hunting times a while ago. It worked most of the times, got interviews and even offers.
Yes, it did help that I am UK educated with softened accent, soI guess that places me in that gray area lablled by employers 'near native'

Cheers

Still free soul

[7atetan]

[freesoul]

[Stephen Jones]

[freesoul]

[quote="Stephen Jones"]