Job Discussion Forums

mahdi1432 · Joined: 22 Aug 2013 Posts: 43 Location: Ar-Riyadh, KSA

Being new to the EFL world, I wanted to know how it works if one is married and obtains a contract for Saudi or any other countries.

Does it include bringing your spouse or is it not offered?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

It's clear that you are VERY new.

Whether you
1. get a contract
2. get a contract that covers a spouse

depends very strongly on your qualifications, country of origin, and potential employer.

We need more info to even begin to guess if your spouse would be covered by a contract for Saudi or anywhere else.

mahdi1432 · Joined: 22 Aug 2013 Posts: 43 Location: Ar-Riyadh, KSA

I am absolutely new to this.
I have 10 years experience as a financial industry educator for adults as a manager.
I am re-orienting towards teaching overseas and working on completing my TEFL.

Basically, no experience being hired in the overseas education world.

To be more specific on the intent of the 1st question:
How frequent is it for teachers to teach abroad and bring their spouses with them?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Lots of teachers have spouses. I do. But qualifications, experience, and nationality matter. If you are just completing a TEFL course, particularly if it is online and/or does not include supervised teaching practice with real students, you are unlikely to find a job that will include a spousal visa anywhere. Entry level quals and no experience don't equate to good jobs in today's market.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Reasonable jobs with reasonable employers usually offer married status. Requirement is often 2 years experience after getting a qualification.

lcanupp1964 · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 381

In the most helpful way I can make this... Very Happy

If this is your very, very, very first time teaching overseas in any country, I would not start with KSA. I have only been teaching ESL for 13 years (with the last five years in Jeddah), but I have always recommended that new teachers start in East Asia (I'm thinking either Japan, or South Korea) and finish in the Middle East. I know you must be thinking about the money, but if you don't last in the Kingdom, you have wasted a lot of time and money getting over here. If you go to Japan, you could clear around $2,300+ (USD) per month (about 2,000+ per month in South Korea) and you will have an easier time adjusting.
Very Happy

mahdi1432 · Joined: 22 Aug 2013 Posts: 43 Location: Ar-Riyadh, KSA

Thank you spiral78: I have been educating adults in Financial Literacy with English being their second language. So I have the field experience of teaching but not the degrees or certifications.
We are both US Citizens.

I am leaning towards the CELTA rather than than TEFL to increase how marketable I can be (considering my lack of experience). That's better right?

lcanupp1964: I can easily live in the Middle East from my background and such this is why I would prefer teaching ESL in KSA.
Is the drawback the culture shock and money only by your experience?

lcanupp1964 · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 381

I wouldn't try and read too much into what I wrote. I was simply trying to give general advice. Smile

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

CANDLES · Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:44 am Post subject:

My 1st teaching job was in KSA straight after getting my CELTA then 3 years later to Oman...

Nightmare(1st year) -okay(2nd) great (3rd) and great onwards! Very Happy

Lächeln · Joined: 06 Aug 2013 Posts: 8 Location: Riyadh

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

CANDLES · Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 9:11 am Post subject:

Because it was my first teaching job. 2nd some of students were little horrors - rich brats with the latest phones who tried to use it in my class.
I warned them, eventually threw them out and they complained about me.

Had a class of failures ( 1st semester) failed - didn't like me and vice versa. Couldn't understand why they failed, they knew everything, etc...etc...
This drama was a daily event -not turning up to classes, or disappearing during breaks, sulky in class, etc, etc.... Always Wanting to play games teacher, not work! When I told the student affairs director, she said I should understand that they are 'mere teenagers' and I should entice them with "sweets". I would have if I had 'arsenic", but fortunately didn't.

When the exam time came - oh teacher please help us with this - got everyone of those ******* through. Not one of them thanked me! Little creeps!

Twisted Evil

CANDLES · Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 9:51 am Post subject: Celta/ Tesol

What's the difference? One English, the other American!

Same thing...... Question

johnslat · Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 12:14 pm Post subject:

Dear CANDLES,

Tsk, tsk - let's be positive and help others! Very Happy

Regards,
John