Job Discussion Forums

[Atassi]

Shaikh Inal Ovar, you flatter me! I personally only search the posts of people when I really like what they had to say...Funny how you looked through my posts, but chose only to quote me on an apology I made.

But seriously, we need to be a little positive. Arabs are the same to westerners as Koreans are in many respects (very different). Teachers complain in both places (although in Korea it seems much worse if you look at Dave's). Teachers need to just learn the ropes, and learn how to deal with the school regarding trash pickup duties and such. I guarantee that some of you may eventually be surprised to realize later that there are most of the time very easy ways to effectively deal with the people of the culture around you.

I agree completely with VS that ESL in the states is a terrible place to be, except in K-12. I made twice as much without my bachelor's than I can make in ESL in the states with a master's degree. If ELT is all you've got, you may find yourself barely surviving in the States.

Just consider everything before making that decision.

Real job? Come on...if education is not a real job I don't what would be. We can't all be physicians...

Atassi

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

[Bindair Dundat]

[Atassi]

First of all, my original post concerning the teacher that was fired was not entirely out of place. My apology does not indicate that. Instead, my apology indicates that I'm a sensitive and caring person, and I always try to be careful about what I say. So on that point, you have it wrong.

Second of all, the post was not negative....in fact far from it! Unless you wish to change the meaning of the description "negative", this term in this case refers to those who choose to only look at the bad and have trouble seeing the positive. The posts you referred to had nothing to do with that concept.

I'm a realist. I'm an optimist. I'm one who contemplates these things. I only posted to this thread originally to try to get some of you to think positive, as it's clear so far that it hasn't been happening.

I know at least one person who was responsible this year for organizing TESOL Arabia last month. I am dead sure that he would truly listen to your concerns about it, even though he may not be as involved later on. Just don't make it sound as if it's impossible to improve, and don't jump to the conclusion that the region needs no such organization.

I wish you the best anyway. Keep smiling, this post ain't negative at all

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

For those who understand ... it suffices, for those who don't ... a thousand words would not be enough ...

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

Maybe more than a thousand !

See pages 4 - 7

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=34859&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=45

[Bindair Dundat]

[veiledsentiments]

Considering how you love nothing more than a serious 'comma' debate, I can't understand how you missed it BD...

Your computer must have been down or something...

VS

[dmb]

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

[dmb]

Naughty sheikh, you're misquoting me. You missed out

[tefllifer]

Meanwhile - back to the Conference debate!

TESOL Arabia isn't just for know-it-all expats like some of the posters I have read in this thread! The expat teacher is in the minority here - by that I mean Western expat teachers - there are thousands of Arab expat teachers here and also Emirati teachers who appreciate the conference - but they don't post on Dave's - and unfortunately some of them can't get to the conference - like the married women with kids - and, some of them can't afford it...
Yes - it's expensive - so register early.
You don't have to stay in a 5* hotel - there ARE still affordable decent hotels in Dubai - or you can commute.
If you ARE at one of the major institutions here, then you will probably get some expenses paid - so why not take that opportunity? Free weekend in Dubai paid for by your school - for you to socialize, eat and job hunt at their expense?
There are definitely issues about the expense - but what are the alternatives? A location out of town away from accomodation causing anyone who comes in from abroad or just out of town a difficult commute from their hotel? Don't have the big speakers? Shorten the conference? What?
For sure some of the presentations seem uninspiring - and are uninspiring - but some reconfirm or give a new twist to things we know - and often have inbuilt discussion time which can be stimulating and lead to new contacts and ideas. Then there's the technology village where you can maybe learn some new tec tricks. It's difficult to spot the good presentations from the descriptions sometimes - and much depends what stage you are at in your career - and on luck - I more than often choose badly and get irritated by presentations - but just hearing other people talk about their choices makes me realise that there is good stuff going on - if only I could interpret the programme better!
Speakers in recent years have included some of the big names in EFL - like David Crystal, Rod Ellis, Rebecca Oxford, and this year there was Carter and McCarthy and Tim Murphey and Mario Rinvoluccri - these people don't come cheap - maybe it's worth the fee to hear the plenaries only?
Use the conference to build your CV and plan your escape - a presentation at TA surely sounds better than an in-house presentation - or nothing at all?
The Conference team work very hard putting together the conference - the organisation is pretty good and efficient - they are volunters - they don't get paid - it's a not for profit organisation - no, they don't have lots of perks and all expenses paid - maybe one or 2 key people do due to their need to be onsite - but not the rest. The organising committee pays to go to the conference just like everyone else - and they miss most of the presentations as they need to be on duty or doing hospitality or troubleshooting or staffing a desk...
Ever tried putting together a major conference in your free time after a hard day at work?
I don't think any of us can begin to imagine that we know it all when it comes to teaching - and sometimes it's just good to exchange ideas with people from other places over a coffee at the conference.
And as for the cynical comments about the bags - what is given at other conferences? And have you any idea how much legwork and negotiation is needed to get any freebies at all? And - what was that comment about paying people to present? A joke, I hope...
No I am not an organiser of TA - but I do appreciate the efforts made - and I admire the organisers for trying - especially when people criticise them as has been done on this board.

[Atassi]

Thank you for posting tefllifer....I'm glad someone else has a positive attitude here.

Be careful though, the "bid bad shaikh" might try to sabotage your discussions now

Thanks for the post.

Regards,

Atassi

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

You're right, tefllifer, the technology village deserves a thumbs-up ...

... and yes there are some of the better known TEFL names ... Michael Lewis was always a crowd pleaser ... and very interesting I daresay to anyone who hadn't read any of his stuff ... Rebecca Oxford though ... where are the Munch emoticons ....

Effort .. effort ... it seems in the Gulf, we're always rewarding effort alone ... in most professions, effort is assumed .. it's the result that is rewarded ..

One last word for my good friend, Atassi ... if you cannot see the difference in the message and tone of tefllifer's post and of your own post 'Are teachers so negative?' ... then I might have to put our friendship on hold !

[Atassi]