Job Discussion Forums

[pseudoscience]

Is it possible to get a job in Saudi Arabia with no teaching experience? I'm 39 and making a career change. I've worked corporate jobs since college, and in the process, developed a desire both to teach and to travel, so I recently decided to become an ESL teacher. I saved up, quit my job, earned a CELTA, and am now looking for my first teaching job. My primary goal is to save as much money as possible in the first year or two in order to build a financial safety blanket before then moving to the countries I'd really like to work in where the salaries are not very high. I've been focussing on Korea, but I'd really like to go to Saudi Arabia if I can indeed make significantly more there. But it seems impossible to find a job there that doesn't require experience, and I'm thinking that even if I did, my lack of experience would limit my pay to the same as what I'd be making in Korea. Is it a lost cause? Should I just give up on Saudi Arabia for now and go straight to Korea?

[nomad soul]

The Kingdom is not the place for newbies seeking their first teaching job. Think about what it takes to teach and manage a class of possibly 30 or more students.

Your lack of experience will likely net you a position with the dodgiest of Saudi employers---if your CV even gets a second look. Plus, the pay wouldn't be anything to write home about. On the other hand, Korean employers accept new teachers with just a BA and zero experience. Additionally, the salaries in Korea are decent and the lifestyle there is definitely way easier than living in ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia.

[pseudoscience]

Thanks. It seems that it's off to the hagwons for me. Let me ask you this. Would hagwon experience be acceptable if I wanted to work in Saudi Arabia a few years down the road? Or is that not the kind of experience they're looking for?

[The Fifth Column]

The myth of quick riches being made in Sowdy Arabia in the past number of years is just that...a myth.

Wealth is relative. I'll guarantee that losers who are used to flippin' burgers for minimum wage think that they're livin' like kings.

In reality, they're probably making wages that the "old-timers" would scoff at...

[MENA_chica]

Pseudoscience,

I did my first year in the region with a language school, as I was keen to get experience teaching adult Arabic speakers. By all accounts, South Korea is a good option for one's first teaching post. Many of the hagwons cater to teaching children, so if you plan to gain experience to later teach adults in KSA, it would be a good idea to apply to those hagwons specifically seeking teachers for adult classes.

Best wishes!

[nomad soul]

[Hatcher]

OP, Saudi is a rough place to start. Few if any laws, terrible students and odd ball bosses.... climate is terrible...

Start somewhere else.

FWIW, here is one of the last things my boss said to me... "are you stupid? the laws in this country are for you!!! not for me."

Another one - "yes, I know the students lied about you.... but did you do to make them lie about you?"

[MuscatGary]

OP what subject is your degree in?

[plumpy nut]

If I was you, I would go back to school and get licensed to teach whatever subject your Bachelor's was in. Then teach in your country for 5 years. After that start filling out applications for 'real' international schools that you can teach in. The other option considers the fact that their are two different Asias. The first Asia of Saudi Arabia, Thailand, SE Asia etc., the second Asia of Japan, Korea, Taiwan. As far as the Asia with real schools, Korea is a great place to teach as long as you are teaching in the public school system (I might avoid Hogwans, although you could find a good one). Taiwan is supposed to be a little bit better than Korea, but again you want to teach in the public school system, that in the case of Taiwan requires that you have a license in your own country. You could also try the JET program for Japan which I have heard is good. As for the rest of the types of schools that you get in Asia, it is best to get acquainted to that type of teaching in Thailand, then jump to Saudi Arabia if you want.

You should keep in mind that salaries and good positions in Saudi Arabia are dropping. Also a teaching position in Saudi Arabia puts you in the position of being an indentured servant, the company tells you when you can leave and can make it difficult for you to continue your career in Saudi Arabia, so why come unless you really want to? In my opinion there are better options for real teachers such as 'real' international schools that are found in many countries, or public schools in Korea, and Taiwan maybe Japan.

[pseudoscience]

To answer all of you...

My degree is in Visual Art. I set out to become a screenwriter while working corporate jobs to pay for my education. This was just as the recession was beginning, and surviving in corporate hell while drowning in debt just about killed me. I clawed my way out of it and managed to save some money, while at the same time never giving up on my screenwriting goal. I recently told a well-traveled friend that I dreamed of traveling but that I didn't know how I could live abroad and support myself. He told me about teaching ESL, which I had never heard of. I had worked as a trainer in my corporate job, and enjoyed and excelled at it. I knew I would enjoy teaching English, so I looked into it and was delighted to find out that it was possible for me to do so. I escaped the rat race and quit my job, earned a CELTA, and am now hoping that teaching will be more fulfilling than corporate hell was.

After drowning financially, all I can think about right now is getting myself as far in the black as possible and building a savings account as quickly as possible. After a year or two in Korea, when I feel comfortable with my finances, I am going to reassess my situation and decide what's next, whether to continue teaching or consider other avenues. Screenwriting is the only thing that I have ever been able to care about. It has been not only a passion but an obsession, and I have put myself through hell toward that goal. If not for that, I would make teaching number one in my life, but no matter how hard I've tried to put another profession first, nothing has ever been able to take precedence over my passion.

In the meantime, it seems hagwons are the only option since I have no teaching experience and no degree in English. I'm okay with that. I've been doing a lot of research and feel confident that the recruiter I will be focussing on is quality. I'm a little worried that I might end up in a bad situation, but having done my research, nothing seems anywhere near as bad as what I went through in corporate where I was raked over the coals on a daily basis, working ten-hour days, seven days a week for months on end, dealing with the most absolutely horrible people every minute of every day, being on call 24/7 for a week out of every month and having those horrible people call me at all hours of the night, and suffering under the most horrible bosses who worked me as hard as they could for as little compensation as they could get away with. I have a pretty good idea of what could go wrong in Korea, and I'm prepared for it because it will just feel good to get out of the country and see a new culture, to get away from the rat race, and to take a break from the crazy way of life we live here in America, and especially in California. I love America, but I'm looking forward to a change of scenery, and I hope it rekindles some inspiration for my stories.

Thank you guys for all of your helpful input

[Hatcher]

I was told that in Abha and Hail, if you were white, had two feet and a heartbeat, you could get hired.

At KAU, they cant get natives these days. But you are just a babysitter anyway.

[psychedelicacy]

Al Khaleej would give people their first job when I worked for them (2010-2011). Their jobs, as far as I know, are still arranged by Skyline Global Solutions. Unfortunately for the OP, as a male aged 39, getting a job in Korea might not be easy. You're about ten years too late for Korea, really, in more ways than just age. Nevertheless, public school jobs are still going, I see, so you could contact Footprints.

I would only recommend an absolute maximum of two years in each of these positions.

[pseudoscience]

I have been worried about my age. I have heard some people say it will be a problem and others say not to worry about it. I've been working on gathering my visa documents before approaching recruiters, and hoping when I finally do approach recruiters that it will all work out. I should have my apostilled FBI CBC in a week or two, and I am spending this time waiting for it filled with anxiety that I won't be able to find a job.

[nomad soul]

[pseudoscience]

For Korea. I had pretty much given up on Saudi Arabia, but I wanted to be sure about it before completely giving up, which is why I started this thread. I've been focussing on Korea. I actually don't even know what documents are required for a Saudi Arabia visa.