Job Discussion Forums

[Urban_Kitten]

Hi all:
I note on the UGRU website that English instructors should have "completed a Master�s degree in TESL/TEFL, Applied Linguistics or a related degree, have a minimum of three years� teaching experience and be able to use Instructional technology."

Does anyone know if it's possible to land an appointment here with an M.A. (actually a phD a.b.d.) and a TESL certicate? Thanks!

[Ka-CHING!]

Do you have teaching experiencwe?

[Bindair Dundat]

[Urban_Kitten]

I do have teaching experience (2 years) but not in teaching English. My graduate degree is in Near Eastern Studies. Thanks again for the responses.

[veiledsentiments]

Urban kitten,

The best jobs can demand and get people with related MAs and related experience. That may very well put you out of the running in those places. But, your credentials could probably get you in the door at some of the smaller places. They do not necessarily have the best working conditions or pay, of course. But, if you spent 2 or 3 years in one of them paying your dues (so to speak), then you could apply to the better places.

Read about on these boards and the Job Information Journals, and you can find discussion of many places in Oman or the Emirates that might be possible.

VS

[Urban_Kitten]

Thanks again. I'll try not to be too discouraged & keep plugging away.

[Sir Gawain]

Back before the Saudi problems UAEU was in a pretty bad situation trying to get qualified teachers. At that time any M.A. and a TEFL Certificate would do to get you in the door. People in Saudi have flooded UAEU with online applications and now those involved in the selection process have more applicants to choose from. If you want to work in the UAE you will need a relevant M.A., TEFL cert, and several years of relevant teaching experience in the Middle East.




(Middle East) UGRU is changing at lightning speed and the dust is flying, and there is no telling what suprises await those of us already here. Rumor has it that teachers are going to get a raise. The rumor mill also hints at future layoffs.

[Iamherebecause]

[nomadykaty]

As far as I've heard, the raise is a dead issue. No layoffs either, just some teachers not being renewed b/c of their MAs. Lots of resignations-teachers off to greener pastures (i.e. Qatar). No late recruitment unless the few teachers they've hired for Fall have backed out.

[pattyrose]

If anyone knows of good job openings teaching English at universities in the UAE, please pm me, (especially if you know of summer sessions being taught).

[veiledsentiments]

pattyrose,

The Middle East is very different from the rest of the TEFL world. I doubt that anyone ever got a job from someone PMing them from this board. Nor do they hire teachers for summer sessions. Either their own teachers stay and do the very few summer classes for extra pay - or it is part of their contract and they have to stay and teach them.

If you are seriously interested in teaching in the Middle East, do a few hours of reading on this section of the boards. You will learn that it is competitive and you have to do the legwork by applying to the institutions that you are interested in and qualified for. Most of the good jobs require a minimum of an MA in a related field and a few years of experience.

Hiring for September is done between December and April. You are probably too late for next academic year.

VS

[pattyrose]

I guess I was misunderstood by VS. I have been in the EAP field for more than a generation in more than 7 countries, and hold an MA in English and a Juris Doctorate degree.

I have also coordinated a few departments.

Thus said, I am fully aware that the best jobs are rarely advertised and used this venue to see if any teachers knew of vacancies or need for replacements within their own departments during summer sessions when some professionals experience burn-out.

Having defended my honor , I still would ask that if any teachers know of openings within their departments to drop me a line.

Thanks, VS. I�m not naive, just checking things out from the inside.

[veiledsentiments]

Well in my 18 years dealing with hiring in the ME, the number of people who came from the outside and found a job in this way can be counted on the fingers of one hand or less. And those jobs came through people who were known to the people doing the hiring because of previous professional relationships... not strangers picked up on message boards. What you comment on may very well be true is the other countries that you worked in, but not highly likely in the Gulf.

But good luck to you. I'd still recommend that you send out some applications.

VS

[pattyrose]

Thanks again, VS, but I am aware.

I wrote the original message to former colleagues who know my screen name and, in fact, I have already received some actual helpful pm�s from them.

Thanks to those who provided the information I asked for, without the sermons.

[veiledsentiments]

So again it proved that it is all who you know...

Wasta rules... and common sense advice is only a 'sermon' if you are oversensitive perhaps?

VS