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Ireland00
Joined: 11 Apr 2015
Posts: 17
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 Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 11:41 am Post subject: Can I expect to make decent savings with my qualifications? |
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I've scrolled through about a dozen pages on the forum and I can't find similar posts, I can't find it using the search bar either, so I have to post here, sorry.
I'm 24, male, EU (Irish), BA In English Literature & History, Celta + 4 months ESL in Irish academy, 2 academic years language assistant (Spain and France). Are language assistant jobs recognised as experience?
I want to save at least €15,000/$16,500 over one year. I would live alone.
I saw many offers on the job board, but I am hesitant to believe in them (I've heard so many horror stories).
I would want to start at the earliest May 2016.
Thank you. |
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currentaffairs
Joined: 22 Aug 2012
Posts: 828
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| Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 11:50 am Post subject: |
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| You would probably get offers of around 11,000-11,500 riyals plus accommodation with contractors such as EdEx or ICEAT. The Colleges of Excellence run by Laureate and others would likely pay a bit more. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 12:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Ireland00 wrote: |
I'm 24, male, EU (Irish), BA In English Literature & History, Celta + 4 months ESL in Irish academy, 2 academic years language assistant (Spain and France). Are language assistant jobs recognised as experience?
I want to save at least €15,000/$16,500 over one year. I would live alone.
I saw many offers on the job board, but I am hesitant to believe in them (I've heard so many horror stories).. |
Your time as a language assistant likely won't be counted; employers expect to see full-time experience as a classroom teacher. Although you could realistically save $16K in a year, your minimal experience will likely only attract the lousiest of Saudi employers, if any. So if you apply for any of the positions on the job board, definitely research the employer here and on the Net before accepting a job.
That said, given your limited experience and young age, why not consider China for your first EFL teaching job? Other posters have raved about the potential for big earnings (insert disclaimer). Or stay in your current position until you have at least two years under your belt. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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I would say that your expectations are... probably unrealistic... based on your lack of credentials. The jobs that pay well are the ones that want 2-3 years of related full-time classroom teaching. (assistant doesn't count) Your credentials are entry level.
There are jobs for those just starting out, but your savings goal might be a few years in the future unless you live a very frugal life. You are young and need to get a CV that allows high savings. (and salaries in the Gulf are stagnating and/or dropping now because of the low oil prices)
At your age, I would actually suggest getting a few years of experience in the farther reaches of Asia first. Lower savings, but better lifestyle.
VS
(PS... the search function that you want to use is the button near the log in... not the site search at the top of the page) |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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Language Assistant time should count for teaching experience. It certainly gets you increments on the teachers salary scale in England and Scotland. The "Language Assistant" programmes are sponsored officially by EU States and have been running for many years. Certainly they are a lot better than working in some EFL sweatshop !
I think the OP's expectations are unrealistic. Savings at that level would be difficult. China might be the place to consider. OP is too young and -perhaps - too inexperienced for the better jobs in the ME. I do not recollect many colleagues in KSA of that age !
May 2016 ?????? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm
Last edited by scot47 on Fri Jan 01, 2016 10:02 am; edited 1 time in total |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 3:43 am Post subject: |
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It would count in the US too, but mine was never counted for the Gulf contracts... only in Egypt where they used the US system at AUC.
VS |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 10:04 am Post subject: |
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For those who have not come across the Language Assistant programme there is a link -
https://www.britishcouncil.org/language-assistants
There are similar programmes in all EU countries. I am not sure about the US and Canada.
It can be a way of having a taster of living and TEFLing in a foreign country. It was my real introduction to working in this weird field. West Berlin, 1968 ! |
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chrisp728
Joined: 13 Oct 2012
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 12:38 am Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
For those who have not come across the Language Assistant programme there is a link -
https://www.britishcouncil.org/language-assistants
There are similar programmes in all EU countries. I am not sure about the US and Canada.
It can be a way of having a taster of living and TEFLing in a foreign country. It was my real introduction to working in this weird field. West Berlin, 1968 ! |
West Berlin in the 60s, Saudi in the 70s......interesting times: you should write a book about it scot47. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 1:36 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Language Assistant time should count for teaching experience. It certainly gets you increments on the teachers salary scale in England and Scotland. The "Language Assistant" programmes are sponsored officially by EU States and have been running for many years.
....
For those who have not come across the Language Assistant programme there is a link -
https://www.britishcouncil.org/language-assistants
There are similar programmes in all EU countries. |
However, they're assistants and not full-fledged, accountable EFL teachers, which is why it's not valid teaching experience. (Employers also don't count online tutoring/teaching experience, graduate assistantships, and volunteer teaching.)
From the British Council's site:Language Assistants work between just 12 to 20 hours a week, giving you the flexibility to make the most out of your international experience whilst also getting paid!
A Language Assistant's role typically includes:
- supporting the teaching of English in an overseas school or university
- planning activities and producing resources to help students improve their English
- introducing UK contemporary culture through classroom and extra-curricular activities
- supporting the running of international projects and activities.
- |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Savings at the level hoped for by the OP are unrealistic. Half that maybe - the more experienced with higher salaries might reach the levels he aspires to. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 2:14 pm Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
| Savings at the level hoped for by the OP are unrealistic. Half that maybe - the more experienced with higher salaries might reach the levels he aspires to. |
Unless he joins the infamous 500 Club.  |
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Ireland00
Joined: 11 Apr 2015
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 8:48 am Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| Ireland00 wrote: |
I'm 24, male, EU (Irish), BA In English Literature & History, Celta + 4 months ESL in Irish academy, 2 academic years language assistant (Spain and France). Are language assistant jobs recognised as experience?
I want to save at least €15,000/$16,500 over one year. I would live alone.
I saw many offers on the job board, but I am hesitant to believe in them (I've heard so many horror stories).. |
Your time as a language assistant likely won't be counted; employers expect to see full-time experience as a classroom teacher. Although you could realistically save $16K in a year, your minimal experience will likely only attract the lousiest of Saudi employers, if any. So if you apply for any of the positions on the job board, definitely research the employer here and on the Net before accepting a job.
That said, given your limited experience and young age, why not consider China for your first EFL teaching job? Other posters have raved about the potential for big earnings (insert disclaimer). Or stay in your current position until you have at least two years under your belt. |
Does this mean that I could save 15000 in one year? I need it to pay for a masters |
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Ireland00
Joined: 11 Apr 2015
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 8:50 am Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
I would say that your expectations are... probably unrealistic... based on your lack of credentials. The jobs that pay well are the ones that want 2-3 years of related full-time classroom teaching. (assistant doesn't count) Your credentials are entry level.
There are jobs for those just starting out, but your savings goal might be a few years in the future unless you live a very frugal life. You are young and need to get a CV that allows high savings. (and salaries in the Gulf are stagnating and/or dropping now because of the low oil prices)
At your age, I would actually suggest getting a few years of experience in the farther reaches of Asia first. Lower savings, but better lifestyle.
VS
(PS... the search function that you want to use is the button near the log in... not the site search at the top of the page) |
Okay. This is disheartening. Is there any way for me to save 12000 euro in one year? This is the cost of my masters |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:59 am Post subject: |
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| Ireland00 wrote: |
| Does this mean that I could save 15000 in one year? I need it to pay for a masters |
You'd have to scrape by, which means staying in country during breaks and eating out less. But it's contingent upon getting a mediocre-paying job with your nearly zero teaching experience and young age. Look at job ads to see what you might qualify for, and then apply if you're adamant about working in KSA. Know what you're getting into by researching the employer and drop any high expectations about what you think it's like to live in the Kingdom's conservative culture.
That said, you're only 24. You have the luxury of working abroad for 2-3 years to save for your master's compared to someone more than twice your age. Go to China or Korea and work there for a couple of years to save for your education. You'll have to head to those country-specific forums with your questions. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 4:08 am Post subject: |
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| Ireland00 wrote: |
| Okay. This is disheartening. Is there any way for me to save 12000 euro in one year? This is the cost of my masters |
I don't believe that this is a realistic goal. Assuming that you can get hired, saving this amount in a year means that you pretty much need to be one of those teachers who steals the teabags in the faculty lounge and the toilet paper from the campus bathrooms. LOL
You are only 24. Make a realistic goal of two years to save up for the MA. You have lots of time. It is no fun teaching in a crappy job with horrible managers and difficult students while living on Marmite sandwiches. Life is really too short to inflict this intentionally on oneself.
VS
(BTW... I didn't finish my MA until I was 40...) |
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