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japanman
Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 281 Location: England
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 6:21 pm Post subject: My prospects and where to look? |
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Hello all,
I have a question about my prospects of work in Dubai and where to look. I have looked around this forum but I can't find a similar position.
I would like to teach English in Dubai and these are my credentials
- A BA Sociology
- RSA/Cambrdidge CELTA
- Around eiht ears teaching EFL in Japan with a few different companies
- Three years as a teaching assistant in a large secondary school in the UK.
As you can see, I don't have an MA, so the large amount of university or college work in Dubai looks out of the question. I was therefore thinking about work in a private language school, similar to the work I did in Japan.
Are there any big schools that recruit from abroad? i am currently living in the UK. Does anyone know any recruiters that have a base in London for Dubai jobs?
Any information or advice would be very much appreciated. |
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Eisenhorn
Joined: 25 Oct 2009 Posts: 146 Location: HCT Land. UAE
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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You will find that there are very few private language schools in the UAE that are reputable or that will even give you a visa.
Now with a CELTA and 8 years of teaching experience (post CELTA) might make you able to get hired at some fo the Uni's.
as for working at the international schools, the good ones (which pay well and you want to work for) require either a PGCE (from the UK), or an Australian/Canaidan/American teaching certification. |
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japanman
Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 281 Location: England
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the advice. Do you know any colleges/unis that may give me a job as a teacher without an MA? |
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Eisenhorn
Joined: 25 Oct 2009 Posts: 146 Location: HCT Land. UAE
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 3:25 am Post subject: |
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Look up a list of universities in the UAE, then apply. Anyone in country workling for the Uni's know of people who are here working at the uni's with CELTA's (or less in some cases). YOu just have to apply and see. |
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japanman
Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 281 Location: England
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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It's good to hear that there are non MA holders that have got uni jobs. I will send off my CV to any places that I find on the net.
I am looking to go in September 2013 and I would like to get something sealed way before then. I think I will send off my CV in Feb or Mar to get my name in early.
Thanks for the info. |
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nomad soul

Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 6:28 pm Post subject: |
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japanman wrote: |
It's good to hear that there are non MA holders that have got uni jobs. I will send off my CV to any places that I find on the net. |
I suspect the majority of those non-MA holders have been with those unis for quite a bit of time; maybe even since the foundation year program's inception. Or that they have some highly-desirable skill or experience.
A better strategy would be to visit each uni's website to check out the details of their foundation year program as well as their list of English language faculty in order to get a sense of the quals and experience they hold. Also, most employers start their hiring season around this time of the year to fill openings for the 2013-2014 academic year, so definitely go to their employment/careers links for current TEFL postings to first see if you even meet the requirements, and if you do, then tailor your cover letter and CV/resume to the position. However, you're very likely to find employers expect applicants to not only have an MA, but also teaching experience at the tertiary level, which appears to be something you don't have if your experience has been limited to language schools. Frankly, competition for uni jobs in the Emirates is high, with (related) MA holders being your competitors. Good luck, but keep your expectations real. |
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japanman
Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 281 Location: England
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info, I will keep my expectations realistic because of the lack of MA and college experience.
Looking for language schools, I saw the Eton Institute. Are they any good to work for?
Is is general knowledge though that language schools don't or can't provide visas?
Also, had a look at HCT and Kaplan and I am not pulled towards them despite the higher chance of getting a job there. |
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nomad soul

Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:17 pm Post subject: |
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japanman wrote: |
Looking for language schools, I saw the Eton Institute. Are they any good to work for? Is is general knowledge though that language schools don't or can't provide visas? |
Not likely. Eton's careers page states, "We are always on the lookout for energetic and enthusiastic Native-speakers of all languages, whether based in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, to teach with us on a part-time basis." I suspect that mirrors similar language schools in the Emirates, which is why they hire locally.
Moreover, you can't compare Japan's homogeneous population and language needs to those of the diverse Emirates. Given that English is widely spoken in the UAE for business, many expats arrive in the Emirates already speaking English from rudamentary level to full, native fluency. As such, there's no need for language schools to fill teaching spots with teachers brought in from abroad when there's likely to be a pool of candidates already in country. |
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japanman
Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 281 Location: England
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 4:38 pm Post subject: |
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That does indeed make sense, cheers. The only option is for my wife to find a job that can sponsor a visa for her and then I come along on her visa. that however is also very unlikely.
Our main priority is getting some cash in the bank and paying for our flat in England. After many years of having a fun but skint life , we have decided to spend a few years getting some cash in the bank.
After research and info from here, Dubai looks like a more tricky idea than first thought. We don't want to go to Saudi and Libya may be a bit unstable. So we are a bit stuck for ideas. |
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japanman
Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 281 Location: England
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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I have a question or two about HCT.
Do they,
1) Pay on time and the correct amount?
2) Respect your contract? ie your work hours and contract length
If these two things are answered 'yes' then they are not too bad. I have worked at places that answer 'no' to both of these. |
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Solar Strength
Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 557 Location: Bangkok, Thailand
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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You want to leave a beautiful place like Kyoto!
There've been a few people here who have worked for universities like HCT but have been given a deadliine for when they should have a master's degree in hand. |
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veiledsentiments

Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
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Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 2:56 am Post subject: |
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japanman wrote: |
I have a question or two about HCT.
Do they,
1) Pay on time and the correct amount?
2) Respect your contract? ie your work hours and contract length
If these two things are answered 'yes' then they are not too bad. I have worked at places that answer 'no' to both of these. |
Yes and Yes...
The negatives are that it is highly bureaucratic with extremely high expectations. They hire few without an MA and as mentioned, would pressure you to complete one if you did get a job there.
VS
(If I were in Kyoto... I'd stay if I could... ) |
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scot47

Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
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Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 9:27 am Post subject: |
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If you would consider Saudi Arabia rather than Dubai I can make a suggestion. PM me if interested. |
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