Job Discussion Forums

08mansoor · Joined: 29 Sep 2012 Posts: 22

Hello,
I spoke with a few friends in KSA and recruiters such as TLTP Education and they said that Americans are no longer required to have a related english degree. Probably realized it was impossible to have teachers meet their requirements, especially since there are a shortage of teachers in the KSA.
Cheers,
Mansoor

soheeb16 · Joined: 17 Jun 2013 Posts: 57 Location: New York, NY

As someone who needs to decide whether to start my non-English MA in a few days or not, I must ask: is there any official source for this news? As this forum has mentioned many times, recruiters are not an official source and they certainly don't speak for the embassy.

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

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

The problem is that unless your friends are in a position to be writing the government rules, their word isn't much good... plus recruiters are notorious for not being either informed or honest about the rules. (never heard of TLTP education anyway)

soheeb16 · Joined: 17 Jun 2013 Posts: 57 Location: New York, NY

Sorry, I wasn't clear about my MA, I just didn't want to explain the whole situation because I already did that on another thread. Basically, I have a CELTA and an unrelated BA. I was accepted into an online MA at Shenandoah for ESL (which is not English, but it's obviously relevant).

The reason this rule matters to me is because the embassy will not recognize my MA as it is online, even though I believe many employers will. So, if their English degree rule is repealed, I would be able to get my visa with my in-person Business BA. Simple as that.

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

soheeb16 · Joined: 17 Jun 2013 Posts: 57 Location: New York, NY

I would have to make my MA meet their requirements.

Deeman15 · Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 50

If you're waiting around for 'official' statements you may as well do your MA, get married, start a family... and whatever else because its not likely to come any time soon if at all.

Don't see why you can't do the visa process and still apply to school as a backup. Instead of going one way or the other and regretting it.

soheeb16 · Joined: 17 Jun 2013 Posts: 57 Location: New York, NY

Well I did apply and I was accepted. I am going to be here in New York teaching English this year. I am looking to apply to Saudi next year.

I have until this Friday to either pay my tuition and start the semester, or deffer my admission. I am leaning toward the latter, as I do not want to drop 3K on the first semester until I am sure it won't be a waste of time and money.

soheeb16 · Joined: 17 Jun 2013 Posts: 57 Location: New York, NY

Okay so I called the Saudi Washington Embassy, and the answer I got on if the new English degree rules was: it depends on your other credentials. The lady also kept asking me where I was contracted to work in Saudi, and I said I didn't apply yet because I want to make sure I can get a visa, to which she responded and said that it also makes a difference where I work. I personally don't see why.

Another note, I was informed by the recruiter for KKU that the rule has been repealed in the USA, whose info I got from this posting: http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=29155
(The post itself says otherwise but it is older than the claim of the rule change.)

Conclusion (based on my shoddy detective work): It seems there may be some truth to a rule change. The last time I asked the embassy, the flat-out told me I need an English/Linguistics degree. Now, apparently it depends.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Barrack room lawyers do not do well in KSA. Saudi officials do not like people who try to get the better of them !

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Barrack%20room%20lawyer