Job Discussion Forums

[scots_teacher11]

Hello

I am looking for information on the above conference.

I am attending in March and want to know if anyone has any previous experience of attending. I am hoping to get a job here. I would like to know what specific employers usually attend and if anyone has been successful in being offered a job directly from attending the job fair?

I have been teaching since 2011, have taught in Spain and the UK and have a CELTA and will finish an Msc in TESOL and Applied Linguistics in the summer. I have experience of teaching mixed nationalities, adults and children and I´m looking to gain employment in either a university or college. My preferred location is the UAE but would consider Saudi and Oman too.

Any info is greatly appreciated.

[veiledsentiments]

I attended a number of the conferences in the past, but never used the job fair to get a new position.

You might want to try googling up previous conference job fair lists, but they may delete them. I tried a quick search and it only gave me the 2014 conference information. Never fear, there should be the usual suspects from around the Gulf.

But here is your problem. Because you have not completed your MA, they won't take it into consideration for interviews. They are well aware that many degrees never get completed. So, your applications would be considered based on your first degree (yes, you must have one), CELTA, and experience after the completion of your CELTA. Plus, none of your experience is directly related to what they want in Gulf colleges and universities (ie... Academic English taught to adults - preferably Arabic speakers)

This means that your options will be limited. Most universities require an MA + up to 3 years of experience... *after* completion of the MA. It means that the best jobs will not be open to you, which leaves you probably with Saudi Arabia or Oman. Saudi would probably pay more, but Oman is a more pleasant and interesting place to live.

Start following the ads for job openings and then do a search here (button up near the log in on this page) concerning the employers. If any of them appeal and you seem to meet their requirements, go ahead and apply - with the fact that you will attend the conference in your cover letter.

VS

[Chuma]

A few more questions about TACON Job Fair:

1. Would you recommend that attendees wear a suit or sports coat and trousers?

2. Should a photo be included on my CV? I am a handsome devil , but the primary reason for including it would be so that they might have a better chance of remembering me after the interview.

3. I exceed the post MA TESL teaching requirements, but have no ME teaching experience. However, I have several years experience teaching at university that is 1/3 Muslim. Should I try to emphasize this in my cover letter and interviews or will this only highlight a perceived shortcoming?

4. Are there any corporate recruiters at the Job Fair or is it only academic institutions?

Thanks very much.

[veiledsentiments]

TACON?

Photos are normally required with applications.

What they want to see is experience with native speakers of Arabic... religion doesn't really play into it. They like to see experience in teaching Academic English - especially reading and writing.

I wouldn't bother with a suit... but a tie might be a good idea with that sports jacket.

What do you mean by corporate recruiters? There might be some gas/oil company jobs... or military. I don't know how often they show up at the job fairs... since as a female, I wouldn't be interested (or probably even eligible for many of them).

VS

[nomad soul]

I agree with VS; mentioning experience with Muslim students is moot. What doesn't help is your incomplete masters degree and lack of post-grad teaching experience, which is what most of your competition will have. But there still might be a couple of employers interested in you based on how you present yourself on your CV. Expect to see mostly university opportunities at the job fair.

(VS, TACON is the acronym for TESOL Arabia Conference.)

[scots_teacher11]

I have experience with Arab learners including Academic writing and I've also worked with Arab learners who have basic literacy problems.

Does anyone know if international schools use the conference to recruit? I might try them too.

[veiledsentiments]

I tried googling TACON and got nothin' related... although I figured it out. I suspect it was created to avoid using TESOL - an American organization - so it is an acronym that includes an acronym. LOL

As to international schools, the decent ones usually require a teaching license/certificate from your home country.

Most entry university students have basic literacy problems and your job is to have them writing the basic 5 paragraph essay in a year. Stress this related experience in any application.

VS

[das31]

What hope would there for securing a job for a chap like myself, with a non-related MA?

[nomad soul]

[D. Merit]

[veiledsentiments]

Actually the last one was 2001... so what exactly is your point? Other than to be rude...

VS

[johnslat]

Dear VS,

Clearly, it's because those job fairs have undergone complete transformations over the last decade.

Regards,
John

[Chuma]

Does anyone else find it interesting that HCT, UAEU and ZU aren't listed as recruiting at TESOL Arabia?

[Fatboy]

They are not listed because they will not be attending.

Word is recruitment will be limited in the UAE this year.

[Chuma]