Job Discussion Forums

[Chuma]

Hi,

Next year I'm going to apply for an English language teaching position at some of the universities in the UAE, and I'm wondering if the hiring staff might be put off by my age....which is 45.

I hold a (brick and mortar) MA TESOL from the US, and nearly 20 years experience--with the overwhelming majority of the experience at universities. I should also point out that I don't have any ME teaching experience.

I've been published several times in the last few years and have made a couple of presentations at small international conferences.

I know that most people like to think they don't look their age, and I guess I count myself amongst them. My plan is to apply at either TESOL Arabia or the IATEFL conference in March so that potential employers can see that while I am 45, I'm not a physically washed-up 45.

I suppose my questions would be:

1. Will potential employers be able to look past my age? Or has the "uni job in the UAE" ship sailed?
2 Am I overly concerned about the age factor, and will my lack of ME teaching experience be more of an issue?
3. Of the two conferences, which would you recommend I attend (and possibly present at) to increase my chances of getting hired at a good salary?

I hope I've included all the information needed for people to respond, but if I've left anything out, I'd appreciate it if you took the time to ask, and I'll gladly respond.

Thanks very much.

[veiledsentiments]

TEFL in the Gulf is mainly older. They rarely hire anyone in their 20's and the majority are probably between 35 and 50. Once one hits their late 50's, it can be hard to find a first job there if you don't have really direct ME experience. And once you're in, you can stay pretty much as long as you can handle the work and your health allows. I didn't arrive in the Gulf until I was 40 and I worked with teachers who were past 70.

Apply away... be sure to emphasize any and all experience teaching Academic English... specifically reading and writing as those are the weak skills of the Arabic speaker. If you can, try to attend the TESOL Arabia conference which will be in Dubai sometime in March.

VS

[Chuma]

Thanks for your reply.

I've been teaching academic reading for what seems like years on end, so I'm pleased that it will be beneficial to me during the interview process. I've also taught a few writing courses, but not nearly to the degree of reading.

IATEFL would be more convenient, but I plan to attend TESOL Arabia in March. Do all of the major universities usually participate in the job fair?

Thanks again.

NN

[nomad soul]

[Chuma]

[nomad soul]

[Chuma]

^

Thanks very much.