Job Discussion Forums

[Chikagoan]

Hi:
I am a professional ESL teacher that is interested in working in the Middle East. I have an M.A. in TESOL and 12 years experience, plus some other qualifications as well. I applied to a few places on TEFL.com, but it seemed that most places were looking for a British national or some other factor that does not apply to me. (I am from the U.S.) None the less, after 1-2 weeks I received an offer from Kuwait and I will be talking to someone form Oman soon. How long does it take to find a job and secure it in the Gulf or other areas? How can I maximize my chances or does it just take patience and persistence? What are the best places to work in general. I am a pretty low key person and I don't party or drink and I am married already so I am not interested in finding female companionship. (my wife probably wouldn't join me initially) Also, I am a tenured teacher in Illinois at a High School and I am not sure I want to give up my job there, perhaps just take a leave of absence for a year or two. I already did that once and it was OK. If the benefits and pay are really good in the Middle East, I might think about giving up my H.S. position though.
Sometimes I think that it is a silly idea for me to work in the M.E. but I believe that I can learn a lot and grow from the experience.
What are some thoughts that readers have about these questions? Thank you for your ideas!
chikagoan

[veiledsentiments]

Isn't this rather a repeat of the thread you have just below? I notice that you never responced to any of the answers that you got there.

I'd say that giving up a tenured job in the US would be a BIG mistake... unless you plan on leaving the US and never coming back. A year or two just for the experience is something else.

You won't know the financial differences until you get offers so that you can compare. Be sure to check out any individual institutions on the appropriate country threads if you get an offer - many are very shady. I would be a little wary of places that are still hiring now... lack of planning on their part? people backing out? Places that make offers now are probably wanting you to arrive as soon as paperwork can be completed. If you are planning to teach in your current job for this academic year, this is NOT the time to be applying.

VS

[Chikagoan]

Thanks for the reply. That is pretty much what I felt too. I have had a lot of second thoughts lately doing this and probably it would be a big mistake. So this is past the time that schools generally hire?
Does anyone have specific warnings or info about CfBT in Oman?
If they are still hiring, is that a problem?
Any other thoughts?
Thanks,
Chikagoan

[jonnyidaho]

It still seems unclear as to when you want to come to the middle east. Like VS says, it seems a bit late to be looking for work for the coming (very soon) academic year. Wouldn't your high school in Illinois be getting back in around now?

The jobs that someone with your credentials would want are probably long since filled for this coming year.

[veiledsentiments]

In the ME, interviewing and hiring is normally done from January through April - with some late hires in May or June in case of backouts. This is how the professional institutions are organized. Getting the paperwork completed for a work visa in these countries normally takes 2-3 months or more - depending on how many places the paperworks gets held up along the way.

With your credentials you can do better than CfBT. They tend to hire entry level... and their reputation is NOT good. I wouldn't touch a job with them myself.

I would spend the next couple months reading extensively on the Oman, UAE, and Qatar boards so that you start to get a feel for the situation and the various institutions. Then start sending out applications in January for September, 2007, if you are still interested. Don't expect to have a thread like this give you any real answers. You are going to have to read and research and see what fits with your needs.

VS
(BTW... could you make your avatars smaller? Nice pictures, but for those with smallish screens, it takes up the whole thing. )