Job Discussion Forums

[clydecat]

I am interested in going to Oman (UAE later) and I am wondering about my qualifications for teaching english:
-- BA (political science), MA (philosophy), in the process of a PhD (international relations);
--three years ESL (freelance and contract for private schools); three years academic writing (university); and one year humanities (Cegep/College);
--four years editing and proofreading (academic and nonacademic).

The problem is that I don't have proper TESL certification. The other problem is that I don't have the time (= money$$$) to take CELTA or Trinity and an MA linguistics is out of the question.

Is it a lost cause, then? I had an phone interview three weeks ago with CECN and they have not gotten back to me (phone or email), and the recruiter made a big deal about my not having TESL... I know I should avoid agency hires, but even still, what are my chances with the universities and teaching colleges?

[abufletcher]

I would think that if you wrote up your CV creatively highlighting your experience with languages and teaching writing that you'd have a shot at a university job in the ME. You might not be a first choice candidate without any formal EFL training or experience but you might catch them on a day that they need a couple more teachers fast. If nothing else you should be able to land a job at a language school.

But you'd have to be able to convince them in your cover letter, CV, interview that you really could do the job. Ask yourself what you really know about learning/teaching a foreign langauge. As a French/English bilingual you already have a good stock of experiences. Have you ever studies another language in a FL classroom situation?

One thing though, you need to be very clear in your cover letter that you are a NATIVE SPEAKER of English -- not French (even if both are true).

[manoflettersk466]

No need to spend a year or even a month of your time doing CELTA/Trinity etc. With your experience and graduate degree, you should merely complete one of the many fast-track TEFL courses (in most cities or Online) out there. The authorities just want to be able to satisfy some basic requirments - it is a hoop to jump through.... Once you can claim ownership of this piece of paper, then do as abufletcher says: do up a right smart CV stressing the teaching you have under your belt already.....trust me, the "validity" of the tefl certificate is a mere formality, and will be overlooked if you are already doing post-grad work.

[TEFOFF]

MANO IS RIGHT, WITH YOUR EXPERIENCE AND POST GRAD STUFF ALL YOU NEED IS FOR THE CELTA TO ACT AS AN ADD-ON AND THAT CAN BE DONE PRETTY SHARPISH. ALTHOUGH IT CAN BE A BIT ON THE EXPENSIVE SIDE. MAYBE CHECK OUT SUR AND SOHAR UNIVERSITY BEFORE YOU JUMP INTO THE UNLOVING EMBRACE OF CEC THOUGH.

[manoflettersk466]

by the way a university in turkey is looking for teachers with a philosophy background...for thier english language centre.....
www.tefl.com
EFL/EAP Instructor, Faculty Academic English Program
Bilkent University School of English Language (BUSEL)
Location Ankara, Turkey
Deadline Sunday 27. November 2005
Experience 2 years
Positions 10
Details
Bilkent University School of English Language Faculty Academic English Program (Ankara, Turkey) invites applications from motivated and hardworking native speaker instructors who have a strong sense of responsibility and are willing to work in a professional environment. Teaching consists of up to 25 contact hours per week and is focused on advanced EAP. http://www.bilkent.edu.tr/~busel

The BUSEL Faculty Academic English Program (FAE) provides credit bearing courses in English for Academic Purposes from freshman year to graduate level and ensures that all students are equipped with high level academic writing and analytical skills to contribute to success in their main departmental courses. This is a demanding program which ensures that students graduate with high level academic English skills as part of their academic degree.

Recruitment for the 2005-2006 Academic Year:
Applicants are requested to apply online by 27 November 2005 with a passport or JPEG photo. Further information about the school and online application form are available from http://www.bilkent.edu.tr/~busel. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

G�ls�n �oker
Teacher Services Coordinator
Bilkent University School of English Language
06800 Bilkent, Ankara
Turkey
e-mail: [email protected]
tel : 0090 (312) 290 1712
fax: 0090 (312) 266 4320


Qualifications
Native speaker applicants should have a degree (e.g. BA, BSc) and a minimum of 4 years full-time EFL/EAP experience, OR a degree and 2 years full-time EFL/EAP experience with a Cambridge ESOL (formally UCLES) certificate, or internationally recognized TEFL certificate. A relevant post-graduate degree (e.g. MA, MSc), teaching experience at the university level and/or a background in Philosophy would be a distinct advantage.


Compensation
All contracts run from January 2006 to August 2007 with the opportunity to renew subject to satisfactory performance. Successful candidates will receive: i) monthly, net salary of 1000-1500 US Dollars depending on qualifications and years of experience (50% paid in local currency and the remainder in US Dollars or Sterling); ii) meal tickets; iii) air fares and baggage allowance at the beginning and end of contract; iv) fully furnished, rent free, private flat on campus (a fee is charged for utilities and running costs ); v) private and state medical insurance; vi) return air fare to home country on contract renewal every two years; vii) legal status with residence permit and work visa and airport assistance.

Professional Development Opportunities:
The school offers professional development and advancement opportunities through in-house internationally recognized teaching qualifications (Cambridge ESOL � ICELT and DELTA), and an MA in Education Management which is available to staff through part-time study. Further opportunities include positions of responsibility in different units of the school for those instructors who have the relevant qualifications and experience.

[abufletcher]

I'll just add that Bikent University has an extremely good reputation.

[veiledsentiments]

And that looks like a fantastic opportunity for the OP... check out that last paragraph!!

[clydecat]

Thank you so much! The job listed for Turkey sounds amazing and seems to be in line with my experience. Again, thank you! I will look into it ASAP.