Job Discussion Forums

[773]

My husband and I will be starting a Masters program in Applied Linguistics this year, and will be looking toward the Mid East after we are finished. We have been doing a lot of research on what jobs are out there, and often come across a requirement for a TEFL cert.

My question is this: With an MA Applied Linguistics and 8 years of teaching experience, will many Middle Eastern employers (namely universities) still require a TEFL cert? I have the CELTA, but my husband doesn't, so we are trying to make a plan for the coming year and pencil him in for a course if he will need it...

Also, my husband has been teaching at a university in Taiwan for 6 of the 8 years he has been teaching (he has a MSc in Physics, but has been teaching English). Will that experience make any difference in the need for a TEFL cert?

We are looking at Oman, Qatar, and the UAE mainly.

Thanks!

[nomadykaty]

I can only speak for the UAE. If you're getting an MA in TESOL/Applied Linguistics, you don't need to have a CELTA or TEFL cert. The UAEU requires a cert if you don't have an MA in either of these.

Just a little warning about the UAE. As of 2006, they are cutting back hiring EFL teachers/lecturers for their IEP/first year programs like UAEU-UGRU, ZU- ELI or HCT-diploma foundations.

The country is moving away from IEP in the universities and looking to start a JET like program here. This Fall UAEU and the high schools in Abu Dhabi Emirates will have 350 native English speaking EFL teachers. Once this program is established (2years from now) they will close UGRU.

My advise is to get something a little extra or take a few more classes in CALL / Instructional Design, present at conferences, publish... .

In the case of your husband, if he only has an MSc, he will need a TEFL cert/CELTA. But even then he may not be able to get a full time teaching post at one of universities here.

Good luck

[younggeorge]

Nomadykaty: I hadn't heard that slant on the schools project, but it makes a lot of sense. On the other hand, I think it's going to take more than two years, even if they get all the teachers they're looking for - and that 350 is for Abu Dhabi Emirate alone - so I wouldn't write off the foundation/readiness programs just yet.

As to the original question: the OP says she and her husband are both starting MA Linguistics programs, so they'll both be qualified for UAE university positions, in so far as those still exist when they're finished. Experience teaching at university level in Taiwan, or anywhere else, will certainly count.

[nomadykaty]

Glanced too quickly at the OP's both about MA. Your husband will have a good chance at an ESP postition with the MA and the MSc. He [b]doesn't[/b] need a cert.

[veiledsentiments]

773,

With teaching experience and an MA, there is no employer in the Middle East that would require a cert. Certs are required for those that have only a BA.

It will be years before they manage to get rid of the IEP program in the UAE or elsewhere. Personally I expect that even once this program has been around for 10-20 years, many of the students will still arrive without the ability to read and write academically.

But, if your husband feels that the CELTA training would improve his classroom skills, it might be worth the time and expense.

VS
(BTW, your husband would probably be a good fit in a program like that at SQU where there are classes directed towards English for Science.)

[773]

Wow, thanks to all of you for your responses! We have been vigorously looking into CELTA courses for my husband, and are relieved that it won't be necessary now.

SQU will definitely be a place worth looking into this coming year, thanks veiledsentiments! Oman is our preference; we are really hoping to find good positions there when we finish our degrees.

Thanks again to all of you!!!!