Job Discussion Forums

hip-hop boy78 · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 90 Location: Hip-hop land

Hi all

I'm currently teaching Kindergarten and Elementary level students at a private institute in Korea and was wondering what the criteria are for teaching at a language institute in the Middle East, particularly in Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and the UAE.
I've taught English in Japan for three years, in Italy for around six months and presently for the last nine months in Korea. I've taught students of all ages and I also have some experience teaching TOEIC/TOEFL and a little Business English.
As far as my academic studies go, I only possess a BA in Political and International studies with Journalism. I don't have a CELTA/TESOL but would be willing to get one.
Basically, what I'm asking is would I stand a chance of finding a decent job in one of these countries and how would I go about finding one? I really have no idea so that's why I'm asking. I hope somebody has the time and patience to help me out here.
If you could also direct me to any websites where I can find further info or job offers then I would truly appreciate it.
Thanks!

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

Decent jobs require a minimum of a degree, CELTA (or equivalent) and at least three years' teaching experience. Jobs paying the best salaries require a Master's degree and more experience. Try tefl.com for Middle East vacancies.

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

What part of the Middle East are you interested in? The situation and opportunities are quite different if you are looking at North Africa and the Levant or the Gulf.

You might want to read around on the various boards and look at the topics discussed related to different countries.

I would say that the CELTA is the absolute minimum for this part of the world.

VS

abufletcher · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 9:21 pm Post subject:

Are you just planning on "hip-hopping" around the world for a few years or are you thinking of "turning professional"? If the later, I'd say it's time to do a serious MA in TESOL and then with your teaching experience you could get into one of the better jobs (world-wide) at a Gulf university.

If all you want is a couple years of living abroad before heading back home (you DEFINITELY don't want to be hanging out at language schools and Chinese universities when you're 50), the your current experience will get you a job in one of the many language schools that have cropped up in recent years in the Gulf.

But seriously, as a long time professional in this field I wouldn't recommend that anyone stay in EFL teaching for more than 5 years without going on to do an MA. Doing the "teaching English abroad" thing can very quickly turn into deadend situation with few prospects back home.

hip-hop boy78 · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 90 Location: Hip-hop land

Thanks for all the replies.

I was thinking more of teaching in the Gulf rather than North Africa or the Levant. I'm also considering just going there for a year to see if I like the place or not and then maybe making my stay a more permanent one.

My current contract expires at the end of March, so right now I am considering my options for the next year. A part of me is thinking of staying another year in Korea and a part of me is thinking of going somewhere new. I'm interested in the Middle East and would like to experience living and working there.

Has anyone ever worked for a language school in the Gulf region? If so, how was your experience? Do most language schools have a good or bad reputation? I.E. Do they pay on time/treat their employees fairly? I will check out tefl.com for job ads.

Thanks again for any help.

younggeorge · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 350 Location: UAE

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

abufletcher · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 10:14 pm Post subject:

I agree with VS that the opportunities for "cultural immersion" in the Gulf are limited. Well, that's not exactly true, it can be an intensive (asnd pleasant) cultural experience but the culture you will more likely be immersing yourself is a colonial sort of "expat abroad" experience suitably populated with "locals" and "desert adventures" and "a bit of home" hangouts.

vuloshin · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 23 Location: Buffalo, NY USA

And if experiencing the "Middle East" is part of your goal, in the Gulf you will find yourself spending most of your time with other expats, the vast majority of whom are from the sub-continent. If you want to learn the culture and/or the language, a country like Egypt, Syria, or Jordan would be preferable, and the cost of living is much lower. These countries are more appropriate for 'drop in and test the water' situations.

VS[/quote]

Hi,
I would be interested in going to a ME country to teach English also but I only have a BA degree and a TESOL certificate and 6 months experience in Poland. Are there any Arab countries that would hire me without a Master's degree? How does Egypt, Syria, and Jordan pay? I am looking for immersion into the culture because I converted to Islam 2 years ago and want to learn Arabic and easily pray my 5 prayers a day. I heard from a Saudi friend of mine that the UAE is the best country for foreiners. But would they hire me anywhere? Also from what I hear the UAE and Saudi Arabia pay around $35k U.S. per year. How much would I make in Egypt, Syria, or Jordan? And how come I never see an ad for jobs in Syria or Jordan on this website and other websites? Thanks.

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

Vuloshin,

With your limited credentials and experience, the few jobs available to you in the Gulf would be low pay and long hours, and immersing yourself in the culture there is difficult at best.

Egypt, Syria, Morocco, or Turkey would be a much better choice for you at this point in your career. You can easily be a part of the culture in all of these countries, and there is work. The bad news is that while the pay will support you in the local economy, you won't be doing any saving. But, it would provide good experience to put on your CV for the future. And you could work on your Arabic skills every day.

Very few of the jobs that you are eligible for in these countries recruit abroad. You go there and knock on doors. But it can be done and I suspect that you would have a great experience.

VS

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

I'm not sure that Turkey would be a prime destination for learning Arabic ...

I am pretty sure, however, that they (the Turks) would object to being classified as Arabs ....

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

So much for my proofreading. Of course they speak Turkish, but I never accused them of being Arabs. (you are aware that there are actually people who speak Arabic who are not Arabs. Cool

) Heck... there are many Egyptians who object to being called 'Arabs.'

But it is a place with plenty of jobs for people with limited experience - and they are Muslim, which was one of the objects of Vuloshin.

VS

vuloshin · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 23 Location: Buffalo, NY USA

[quote="veiledsentiments"]Vuloshin,

"With your limited credentials and experience, the few jobs available to you in the Gulf would be low pay and long hours, and immersing yourself in the culture there is difficult at best.

Egypt, Syria, Morocco, or Turkey would be a much better choice for you at this point in your career. You can easily be a part of the culture in all of these countries, and there is work. The bad news is that while the pay will support you in the local economy, you won't be doing any saving. But, it would provide good experience to put on your CV for the future. And you could work on your Arabic skills every day."

Very few of the jobs that you are eligible for in these countries recruit abroad. You go there and knock on doors. But it can be done and I suspect that you would have a great experience.

VS[/quote]
Thanks for your help guys, I really appreciate it. I am not looking to go to the Middle East anytime soon so what would help me in the mean time? I would rather get my experience in Poland since I have dual U.S. and Polish citizenship and have family there. How much more experience do I need to get a 'good' job (I mean where I can save money). Also my BA degree is in Math so how much would it help if I got my Masters degree? I heard there is a MA program in Poland that I might look into. So once again thanks for the help and keep coming with the advise. Thanks.

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

The jobs that provide the better pay almost always require an MA... or extensive Middle Eastern experience. They are also looking for the experience to be in Academic English, preferably writing, and preferably to Arabic speakers. So, I don't see that getting your experience in Poland will do you very much good. Remember as a newbie to the field, you can not expect to walk in and get the rumored 'big bucks' in a field. At your level, paying living expenses is a more realistic expectation. Your added benefit would be the chance to also improve your Arabic.

That is why I recommended that you go to the countries mentioned to get your experience. I would also be a bit concerned about whether an MA from Poland would be recognized.

As an American passport holder, you might want to look into the Fellowship at the American University in Cairo. It is, in effect, getting a free MA with your teaching experience there being exactly what the Middle East employers are looking for.

VS

vuloshin · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 23 Location: Buffalo, NY USA

Thanks VS! Well that's disappointing that getting my experience in Poland won't do me much good. I really loved teaching English there. I'll look into the Fellowship in Cairo. I'll do a google search. What do you know about it? It being free is a definite plus but I'd probably have to pay a lot for airfare to get there. Is the MA a Master's degree that I can use even back in the states.