Job Discussion Forums

lion101 · Joined: 29 Mar 2016 Posts: 32

Hi guys I will be getting an MA and will be done in two years. Do you guys think that these esl jobs will still be in the gulf 2 years from now?

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

Odd question.
What makes you think there wouldn't be? However, you'll likely need a year or more of post-degree TEFL experience to go with that TEFL-related MA.

rollerblader · Joined: 01 Jul 2014 Posts: 20

I just read Chris P. Bacon's thread on the viability of jobs here in the Gulf. He is correct in stating that salaries have dropped. It seems to me that some of the positions have maintained a certain threshold, but I think most of them pay less now than they did 5 or 6 years ago. One job offered me just this week pays the exact same in Riyals today as they did in 1996. People are desperate and they will teach those jobs paying 1996 salaries and the recruiters know it. Your chance of landing a high wage job is minimal, but can be had if you are willing to endure semi-abusive conditions with one of the military gigs, IF you are lucky to land yourself in such a position. People who land those military jobs are paid "hush money" to endure long entrenched bad managerial habits. The current trend in some of the militaries is saving money by filling some of the billets with either local teachers "who are marginal in their work output themselves" or from seedy institutions who provide Salafi teachers from the West. Salafi teachers generally are bad to the bone, evil and thoroughly filled with hatred so watch out and avoid them like the plague! I am unapologetic for the last statement and it would be interesting to see how many teachers in the field here agree with me.

Lower wages are the new normal for the most part, so get used to it, because those positions are not going to pay any more for the next 12 years or so.

Roller

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

Do you want to get paid lower wages in a country that doesn't answer the phone when you're next employer wants to find some info, that mixes and matches their customs and feelings into your employee profile because they have no experience with being objective and having real moral imperatives, that keeps you like an indentured servant if it wants to and releases you at will after you pay thousands for a visa just to work for that wonderful employer?

Pikgitina · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 420 Location: KSA

Blackbear · Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Posts: 65

From what I have seen, there will always be a need for ESL/EFL teachers. The money spent on "English" training the locals is quite amazing, BUT not quite amazing as their lack of English literacy. Pi***ng into the wind, perhaps, but the need will still be there when you receive your MA - and even after you eventually retire from your career. Rolling Eyes

Lord T · Joined: 07 Jul 2015 Posts: 285

[quote="Blackbear"]From what I have seen, there will always be a need for ESL/EFL teachers.

I agree Blackbear, but where those teachers come from, and how much they are paid is open to conjecture, I think.

Blackbear · Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Posts: 65

Yes, I agree as to the quality of the teachers and the skills of Asian "Engrish" teachers that have been recently discussed on these GCC forums...

We ("native" English speaking folks) can only hope that quality teachers will always be hired. However, (for example) the current cost-savings at the HCT in the UAE serves notice that this may not always be so...

There will still be jobs for everyone - BUT not necessarily at the salaries we hope to receive.

Such is life - full on non-guarantees Rolling Eyes

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Do not make the fundamental error of assuming that native speakers are necessarily competent teachers !

Blackbear · Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Posts: 65

Heya Scot47,

After being a teacher since 1971, I can say with HONESTY, that I would NEVER make such an assumption. However, in my experience, native speakers usually have a "leg up" on teaching English - or in my case teaching other subjects in the English language. Not always, but usually. YMMV - and probably has/does.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I have seen a fair number of incompetents and of clowns in my time. happy now to have put down the chalk and found there is life after EFL.

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

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

YMMV

Your mileage may vary... (or your results could be different)

Something one sees in car advertising in the US. I am always having to google these little messages commonly used in texting... since I don't text.

VS

lion101 · Joined: 29 Mar 2016 Posts: 32

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate it. I am currently contemplating whether to get my ma in TESOL or get an ma in education with k-12 teaching credential. I really want to work overseas so that is why I want to ask experienced individuals such as yourselves about the job market. So it seems like you guys are confident that there is a future in TESOL(in the gulf) and the only issue is that the pay might drop a little. This leads me to my next question which is do you guys think a k-12 teaching job with an ma is better than a TESOL job with an ma in the gulf. I am asking because I am trying to decide which ma program to pursue. It seems like the TESOl jobs are require less work with similar or better pay, do you guys agree? Do you guys think an ma in TESOL is a better route than an ma in education with k-12 teaching license for the gulf?