Job Discussion Forums

[S Lee]

Hello and thanks in advance for reading this and posting comments.

I am interested in working the UAE and, per the title, I am wondering if I am qualified enough or require additional certification (specifically an MA or an M.ED in TESOL) before applying to places when they start hiring again next spring.

I am an American female and my credentials are as follows:

- 3 years teaching ESL at a university IEP program (academic English with an emphasis in reading and writing)
- Experiences working with Middle Eastern students (over 90% of the program participants are from KSA)
- TESOL certification
- MA in Humanities

All of my work experience occurred after obtaining my degrees. My biggest worry is that since the MA is not in ESL, Education or Linguistics that it won�t count.

I love the challenge of teaching reading and writing to college-bound students, so am not interested in getting a certificate to teach K-12. I am interested in a job that allows me to continue teaching college-age students while living in the UAE (preferably a larger city) with a reasonable salary and an area-standard benefits package.

Any advice or assistance would be much appreciated.

[nomad soul]

[Mushakil]

I think it is possible to teach into UAE with the said qualifications but I think you would have to get into one of the easier bordering countries like Oman or Saudi Arabia and after one year apply for jobs in UAE it is much easier that way. A lot of my colleagues in UAE have "done time" in Saudi Arabia before getting into the Emirates.

[nomad soul]

[S Lee]

Nomad-

I like the idea of refreshing my credentials with education technology. The program I work in uses technology quite a bit; students submit all writing online, use iPads in class and we use an interactive whiteboard called Eno in all our classes (part white board, part interactive touch screen, part computer + projector all in one). Is this enough, or should I still aim for an education technology certificate?

Try as I might, I couldn't find info on the CALL program you mentioned. Can you please elaborate or let me know what the acronym stands for?

Also, do you know if a distinction is made between certification from online courses versus brick and mortar schools? I ask because this could be a cost savings of USD 6,000.

Lastly, in answer to your question my TESOL certification was from Global TESOL and involved 120 hours of learning and teaching. I got it a while ago, so I cannot recall if we taught international students or did a presentation/lesson plan to pass. Will this difference be relevant to my potential employment?


Mushakil-

Thanks for the suggestion on going to another country then working my way in, but its UAE or bust. My husband will be coming with me and his company has an office there and they are more than happy to hire him, provided that he has a visa. His level is not one that is eligible for sponsorship.

[spiral78]

[nomad soul]