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yamahuh
Joined: 23 Apr 2004
Posts: 1033
Location: Karaoke Hell
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 Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2015 8:16 pm Post subject: Which country would be best? |
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First of all, let me apologize for asking a question that has been asked before. If I could have found an answer specific to my situation, rest assured, I wouldn't have asked it again.
'Qualification' wise, I have a B.A in Sociology from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada and a 120 hour TESOL certificate from Coventry House International in Toronto, Ontario.
As for my experience; I am 50 years old and have almost 11 years of ESL teaching under my belt. Mostly adults in the past 5 years, and in the past 18 months it was exclusively adults. In my most recent position I taught Business English for the International Trade Instititute in Hsinchu, Taiwan. This institute is part of the Taiwan External Trade Association and, in my opinion, was one of the better jobs that a teacher could have in Taiwan if he / she wanted to actually teach.
I'm interested in teaching in the ME but am unsure of a: which country would offer the best possibility for employment and b: which country offers the best life v work balance. Obviously this second point is somewhat subjective, but I'd still be interested in hearing your thoughts if you care to offer them.
Thanks all,
Yam |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2015 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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| yamahuh wrote: |
I have a B.A in Sociology from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada and a 120 hour TESOL certificate from Coventry House International in Toronto, Ontario.
As for my experience; I am 50 years old and have almost 11 years of ESL teaching under my belt. Mostly adults in the past 5 years, and in the past 18 months it was exclusively adults. In my most recent position I taught Business English for the International Trade Instititute in Hsinchu, Taiwan.
I'm interested in teaching in the ME but am unsure of a: which country would offer the best possibility for employment and b: which country offers the best life v work balance. |
Given your unrelated BA, you're pretty much limited to contracting companies in Saudi Arabia and Oman.
- KSA provides the highest pay, but the country is very conservative and therefore, not for those who place alcohol and dating/mingling with the opposite sex at the top of their list. There are always ads for KSA on the Cafe's job board; it has the largest need for EFL teachers in the region. Be aware that most contracting companies only issue a single's (bachelor's) visa, so sponsoring a wife and children will be your responsibility if you have dependents. Also, degrees and qualifications with online components/coursework will get your visa application rejected.
- Oman offers an easier lifestyle but pays the lowest in the Gulf. Hawthorne is likely your only bet for jobs because they don't require a related degree. See their current ad on the Cafe's job board.
- Egypt might be an option but will require start-up costs for airfare, visa, lodging, etc., since you may have to be in country to look for jobs. Be aware that Egypt is still trying to get its footing with its new government after 5 years of social and political unrest.
For more info, head to each country's respective forum. |
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currentaffairs
Joined: 22 Aug 2012
Posts: 828
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| Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2015 9:47 pm Post subject: |
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| I would agree with the above. Oman would be more interesting but Saudi Arabia would bring in more money. I think that you could get into both countries so maybe send off your CV and see what offers come up. |
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yamahuh
Joined: 23 Apr 2004
Posts: 1033
Location: Karaoke Hell
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| Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 2:18 am Post subject: |
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Thanks to both of you for your replies.
My wife would obviously want to join me, but she only has an Associate Diploma and an online TEFL. Would there be anything for her at all? She loves teaching kids and is good at it; like myself she can provide excellent letters of reference.
Obviously she wouldn't expect to make a great wage, but if she could find something that would provide a work visa and legal employment it would make it worthwhile for her to join me. Otherwise, if we were 2 people living off one wage, we would probably be able to make and save more in Taiwan / Vietnam. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 2:49 am Post subject: |
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| yamahuh wrote: |
My wife would obviously want to join me, but she only has an Associate Diploma and an online TEFL. Would there be anything for her at all? She loves teaching kids and is good at it; like myself she can provide excellent letters of reference.
Obviously she wouldn't expect to make a great wage, but if she could find something that would provide a work visa and legal employment it would make it worthwhile for her to join me. Otherwise, if we were 2 people living off one wage, we would probably be able to make and save more in Taiwan / Vietnam. |
Staying in Taiwan or Vietnam is probably the best option for you. Unfortunately, the Gulf is picky about degrees and certificates. Despite your wife's love of teaching and reference letters, an associate's degree and online TEFL cert wouldn't likely get her anything in KSA since the minimum for a work visa is a BA and in-person TEFL qualification. Oman is iffy, but again, salaries aren't the best there. |
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yamahuh
Joined: 23 Apr 2004
Posts: 1033
Location: Karaoke Hell
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| Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 1:48 pm Post subject: |
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OK - good to know.
Thanks |
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EFL Educator
Joined: 17 Jul 2013
Posts: 988
Location: Cape Town
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| Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 3:58 am Post subject: |
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To The OP,
Bahrain is a wonderful place to live and teach in the Gulf/Middle East....and savings is possible too!!  |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 4:17 am Post subject: |
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| EFL Educator wrote: |
To The OP,
Bahrain is a wonderful place to live and teach in the Gulf/Middle East. |
Not with their qualifications. Plus, like KSA, the Bahraini government does not recognize associate's degrees nor online qualifications. The OP's wife would essentially need a relevant BA, a teaching license from her home country, and a couple years of experience (post-licensure) to teach children in the Gulf. For adult learners, an unrelated BA, CELTA/equivalent in-class TEFL cert, and a couple of years of relevant experience would minimally qualify her for university PYP/vocational school jobs in Saudi Arabia. A TEFL-related MA is typical for the rest of the region and for the better KSA jobs.
Again, Egypt might a viable option for both of them but requires start-up costs. |
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