Job Discussion Forums

[charlesmarlow]

I have been following daves for quite some time and interested in info on management positions in universities.

i have done a search but cant find any info.

I have BA,MA, CELTA DELTA and IELTS examiner status, have over 15 years' experience in Teaching EFL and that includes ten years' managing academic English programmes including developing materials, courses, etc

I have no experience in the middle east, currently living in Vietnam and have a great job with Vietnamese wife and child. Unfortunately, my child will start primary school in two years and I refuse to pay over 2000 USD a month for tuition in an international school.

Interested in a management position in a university academic pathway programme or something similar, not interested in a teaching position.
Where can I find such positions, application process, do they hire for these positions outside or promote from within? Also, must have benefits including education for children in an international school.

Would appreciate any advice, thanks

[nomad soul]

As I stated on the general Mid East forum, a management position isn't very likely for someone without a relevant MA or PhD and solid, extensive Gulf/Middle East teaching experience at the tertiary level (this is key). Plus, such jobs may require fluency in both written and oral Arabic, which is why Arabic speakers generally are hired for these positions. Moreover, for Saudi Arabia, there's a push to fill these jobs with Saudis.

Anyway, best to apply for a teaching job and then see if you can move up the ladder. But don't hold your breath.

[sicklyman]

I don't think the ME is for you. You sound like someone who takes teaching and the management of it seriously. I think that philosophy would be at odds with much of what goes on here in the name of teaching and probably all that goes on her ein the name of teaching management.

Without the quals/exp that nomad describes, I believe that the only way you could make your way into such a position would be by starting as a tertiary level teacher and working your rear end off for at least a couple of years and then getting a lucky break.

However, long before you reach your goal, you may well have lost your mind if not your pedagogic credibility.

On top of this, Saudi may be harsh on a Vietnamese wife and child...

[scot47]

In KSA promotion is usually through the ranks. They do not usually accept "parachutists" straight into management.

[charlesmarlow]

Thanks for the info. I won't be going to the ME.

I will also be cancelling my skydiving lessons.

[scot47]

It strikes me that so much in this EFL business is culture-specific. You cannoit just pluck someone out of Mongolia and expect them to function in Mombasa !

[nomad soul]

[charlesmarlow]

I don't completely agree about teachers not being able to function in other cultures. Of course, there is a learning curve and some curves are sharper than others. But it can be done, and teachers are doing it all the time. And some teachers are more successful than others, depends on the individual.

آمين

[nomad soul]

[lcanupp1964]

With all due respect to the OP, I too feel that the Middle East would be very challenging for you. I know it sucks to be pre-judged from thousands of miles away, but my gut tells me that I have met many, many people like you in my 13 years of teaching ESL in nine different counties, including Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. That�s not a good or bad thing. I think you would get very frustrated working over here. I'm glad that you have changed your mind. East Asia is the best part of the world for you and your motivation. This place saps a lot of energy out of a person.

[babur]

Don't even think about "managing" anything in KSA until you've done time as a teacher.

[scot47]

I second that. No parachutists.