Job Discussion Forums

[rachelspi]

So, after spending an eventful and not totally unpleasant year teaching English in China, I got my Tefl certificate and have been teaching English in Spain for almost a year. While Madrid is lovely and laid back etc, the money sucks. I want to go to the UAE and teach there.

Here are my current qualifications: Bachelor�s in English from an American university.

American citizen

Substitute teacher for a little over a year in the US before moving to China

I know I know that I don�t have a lot of experience. So don�t bother to write back if that�s what you�re going to say.

I still think I can get one of the lower paid, but still well paid jobs in UAE if I get my masters. But a masters takes two years, so I�m wondering if a masters in TEFL, though worthless after teaching English overseas, could get me a job in the UAE, because it only takes a year or less.

Also, how much would I realistically be able to save?

[veiledsentiments]

My MA in TEFL took two years, but one can do it in shorter time. But I can't see less than a year in a US recognized MA. And yes, you need one to make any money in the Emirates - unless you have extensive related experience. (ie teaching Arabic speakers Academic English) Just like all other careers, making money is something that only comes after you have paid your academic dues - ie the right degrees and experience.

Two facts to keep in mind. The Emirates is an expensive place to live. The rents are going through the roof - the lower you are on the employment totem pole (and you are currently at the bottom), the less likely your housing will be covered. And the amount one can save is a reflection of one's lifestyle. No one on this board can guess either your pay or how much you can save at this point.

You have to decide if you can afford to spend the money for an MA... which is only economically feasible if you plan to stay in this field and teach overseas indefinitely. It is pretty much useless back in the US.

I don't see you being eligible for decent money in the Emirates for another couple of years after the completion of an MA. You may want to look into the MA Fellowship program at the American University in Cairo. (too late for Fall 06)

VS

[abufletcher]

An MA is, more than anything else, an indication that you consider yourself a professional and have some long term aspirations in the EFL field. And as such it is the required entry ticket for any of the well-paid EFL positions in the Gulf (or anywhere else in the world). Yes, it is possible to rake in some serious cash playing the "teach English abroad" game without an MA (primarily in Japan it seems) but it usually requires some seriously hard work as well.

Also, I wouldn't exactly consider an MA in TESOL or Applied Linguistics "worthless" in the US. While it may be worthless in terms of other jobs outside of ESL, it is still the minimum requirement for any of the (somewhat rare) ESL jobs worth having in the US. For example, an MA and the proper experience can get you a tenure-like position at the community college level paying anywhere from 45-72,000 a year.

[veiledsentiments]

[abufletcher]

VS, right at this moment there seems to be at least one of these jobs being advertized (on the Chonical of Higher Education) at just about every community college in California. They are now what I would consider a "good job" by any stretch of the imagination but they starting salary range was indeed impressive.

To the OP, as far as kind of MA, I'd say that they can be arrayed roughly as follows:

1. Full 2-year in residence MA
a. TESOL
b. Applied Linguistics
c. Linguistics
d. ???

2. Distance degrees
a. from well known UK universities
b. Less known UK universities or OZ or NZ universities
c. almost any American university (dead last)

An MA should be a lot of work. If it's not then you have a pretty good idea right there of its worth.

[veiledsentiments]

There is also the problem that the vast majority of those advertised jobs are only advertised in order to fulfill some rule about giving everyone a fair chance - and then it is given to someone already there who has had to bow and scrape and be an adjunct for years before getting the chance. (wasta is alive there too) And compare those salaries to the cost of living in CA...

Real Life 101

VS

[abufletcher]

[Bindair Dundat]

[abufletcher]

The thing to remember is that while the worldwide "EFL biz" needs hundreds of thousands of essentially "unskilled" short-timers, the market for long-term professionals is much smaller -- and much more competetive.

Anyone who does plan on staying in EFL as a career -- and it can be a good career -- needs to be looking "down the road" and constantly looking to expand his or her skill and experience set. The minimal requirement for a long-term career in EFL is a respectable MATESOL. But it certainly doesn't stop there.

As far as getting an MBA, well, if you're the sort that cares about money to the extent necessary to slog through all of those econ, finance, and business management courses then EFL might not be for you anyway.