Job Discussion Forums

hampster · Joined: 29 May 2016 Posts: 7 Location: U.S.

Hi All,

I'm an American with a year of ESL experience in East Asia looking to get my teacher certification here in the U.S. After one year, I should be certified to teach junior high/high school English.

After I get my certification I was planning to go to the Persian Gulf (i.e. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, etc.). One of my goals is to pay off my graduate school student loans. I still owe over $50,000 USD and would like to pay it all off in less than 2 years.

Is this plan still feasible in lieu of the current oil prices? I've seen job postings for Oman and got worried after I saw that many salaries are less than $2k USD.

Thanks.

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

You'll need a minimum of two years' relevant US teaching experience in order to compete for the better k-12 jobs in the UAE. Even then, there's no guarantee you'll earn $50K per year.

Oman pays the least of the GCC. Your best bet, however, is Saudi Arabia for a couple of years.

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

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

For clarification, my suggestion of Saudi Arabia is if you're itching to head to the Gulf immediately upon completion of your license just for the purpose of earning money, even if that means teaching EFL in a Saudi university prep year program.

But as suphanburi and I stated, gain those crucial 2-3 years of US k-12 experience first, and you'll have more international school opportunities open to you abroad.

ebooktrial0001 · Joined: 02 Jan 2014 Posts: 156

I agree.

I do have a little experience with Saudi Arabia, etc.

The truth is, the best jobs (Aramco, well managed international schools around the world, etc.) have very little turnover. You wouldn't see job postings for them because people really do enjoy life there.

Saudi Arabia will pay well; but, from experiences with Laureate, etc. you can see that all hundred of us got fired by poor managers. Corporate in the US put money over everything else (including following laws, etc.).

Wherever you go, especially in Saudi, save as much money as possible and be ready to leave within a day's notice. You just may have to on someone else's orders.

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

Stay in China.

You can easily get 20000+ RMB a month, 3500 USD, plus housing and low spending costs. Also additional work is always available. If you really want to reap it in then you'll also be keeping the airfare and all allowances presented and also want to work in the summer, if you're getting your 20000 RMB salary and still doing a 15000-20000 RMB summer camp you just made about 7-8000 in one month.

123Loto · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 160

Taking a longer view than the next 2 years: if you get teacher certification then the world's your oyster. Take a look at this website to get a feel for the opportunities:

http://www.searchassociates.com/

A lot of these jobs require some experience... but I thought you might like to see the kinds of jobs that might be in your future. Good luck!

hampster · Joined: 29 May 2016 Posts: 7 Location: U.S.

@123Loto: Thanks for that link! Had no idea such firms existed. Will definitely be contacting them after I've put in my time.

Jmbf · Joined: 29 Jun 2014 Posts: 663

In Hong Kong, EDB NET scheme positions starts at about USD 60K / year (including housing allowance). International school positions start at a bit less but still decent. Very competitive to get into either though so make sure you bump up your experience first.