Job Discussion Forums

littlejam · Joined: 16 Apr 2013 Posts: 17 Location: usa

hello, i read in the local paper yesterday that the Dubai police department
have a lamborghini to do things with, cheers, j

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/11/world/meast/dubai-police-lamborghini

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Go for an international school. Did you know that bahrain is the site of frequent bloody civil disturbances ? Why Bahrain ?

littlejam · Joined: 16 Apr 2013 Posts: 17 Location: usa

hello, @scot47: bahrain seems to be the least restrictive environment compared to the MiddleEast. i am heavily into edm music production and want to network with dj's to collaborate on songs...i've read throughout the site about how people 'go crazy nuts from boredom and isolation'
and don't really want to find out that i am and then have to fix it

i've been monitoring some outside bahrain sites (per nomad soul)
and you get a safer picture...others state that there are situations
but nothing severe: tire burning, car burning,

living in brooklyn for 10 years: i've seen a lot (not more than others,
and don't like seeing anything)

i'd be grateful to hear more of your point of view

thanks, j

johnslat · Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 4:24 pm Post subject:

Dear littlejam,

Have you checked out Oman?

Regards,
John

littlejam · Joined: 16 Apr 2013 Posts: 17 Location: usa

hello, @ johnslat:

i will do that now, in the mean time, can you post your thoughts on bahrain please (for better or for worse)

i'll post back about oman, cheers, j

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Oman have a wonderful Symphony Orcxhestra ! I saw them perform at Bahrain Music Festival a few years ago.

http://omanmusic.webs.com/royalsymphonyorchestra.htm

littlejam · Joined: 16 Apr 2013 Posts: 17 Location: usa

hello, can those in the know post back with their thoughts
regarding the best type of esl certificate (tefl, tesol, celta, etc.)

thanks, j

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

littlejam · Joined: 16 Apr 2013 Posts: 17 Location: usa

hello, @ nomad soul: yes i did overlook your previous posting stating:

""""Go for a CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL, or SIT TESOL to boost your employability.""""

thanks for keeping me on track

i was preoccupied with the online stuff is bad

cheers, j

littlejam · Joined: 16 Apr 2013 Posts: 17 Location: usa

hello, @nomad soul:

i found a SIT tesol program in santa fe, new mexico

total cost: 2400$

130 hour program

the intensive program 4 weeks monday-friday 8:30 to 5:30

(i can't seem to find celta or trinity certTesol nearby
does anybody know of any in the santafe albuquerque area?)

do middle east employers ever pay for these?

is it possible to get a job in the Middle East and while teaching
the employer pays to have you complete the certificate program?

thanks again for your help, j

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

littlejam · Joined: 16 Apr 2013 Posts: 17 Location: usa

hello, @ nomad soul:

i am in correspondence with an agency that is recommending
i to i tesol: doing some research on the company i discovered
the tefl blacklist site...wow...the things you read about places...

the tefl blacklist place doesn't seem to be current though

i think i'll stick with the SIT tesol in santa fe

cheers, j

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Yep, it's always a good idea to put fingertips to the keyboard and research, research, research.

A year or so ago, a friend of mine missed out on a decent, entry-level job in the Gulf. She'd been teaching in Asia with a cheapo, online TEFL cert (she also has an MA) and wasn't able to complete a valid, onsite TEFL cert course in time before the new teaching opportunity closed. Ironically, she chose the cheapo TEFL course because of its low price and it met the minimum requirements for her teaching job in Asia. Yet, when she applied for the job in the Mid East, she was hit with the realization that her online cert limited where she could teach. So she ended up forking out additional bucks to get a legit qualification (a CELTA). She kicked herself for making a poor decision several years back because it ultimately cost her more money and the loss of a teaching position she'd really wanted at the time. Hindsight is 20/20; best to do it right the first time.

jadoaus · Joined: 25 Feb 2010 Posts: 24

Little jam - Currently in Bahrain, have been working at a pretty reputable language centre for two years.

I know that Ahmed Kanoo and Al Hekma Int. schools are hiring, along with a few others, though I suggest you avoid Al Hekma. My colleague has had some success with a British based recruiter that seems to be quite good, pm me if you would like to know this one.

There are political problems (understatement) but so far none of it is directed toward Westerners. If it goes down that route you will hear about it here, believe me. As a foreigner here, for the time being, I feel very safe.

There is a very large music scene for such a small place which is quite easy to get into. Most of it is God awful club music but there are at least plenty of people big into music production. Please note that not all students (of both sects) are that fond of music (religious reasons), and most know very little about ANY kind of music other than Arabic.

Due to the practice of marrying first cousins, there are more than enough students with various learning difficulties to keep you busy, but very little provision for them from either private or public schools. If you were looking for a role working ONLY with these kind of learners I'm not sure where you would begin. Although the entire approach to education in this part of the world is its own kind of learning difficulty.