Job Discussion Forums

amorzote · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 2

Hi everyone

I�m hoping to find a teaching position in Saudi Arabia later in the year and I�d be grateful for some advice on how employable you think I might be�

I have a BA in Modern Languages from Oxford, plus an Oxford MA (i.e. unearned and awarded automatically a few years after graduation). I�m doing the CELTA in June.

However, I have very limited teaching experience. I spent the first 5 years after university working in advertising, and then 3 years overseas with the British Council in a non-teaching role. While I did a lot of informal training and coaching in these jobs, my only solid teaching experience is from way back in 1995/6 when I spent the third year of university as a language assistant at a French secondary school.

I've done a bit of research and most of the places I've seen are asking for a least 2 years' post-CELTA experience. Do you think there are any decent-ish employers in Saudi Arabia who would consider me despite my lack of teaching experience? Am I in any position to be picky at all? I�d be very grateful for any suggestions or advice you could give me before I start approaching potential employers!

Van Norden · Joined: 23 Oct 2004 Posts: 409

Be 'creative' with your CV when listing your work experience. My employer didn't check any of my references. Lucky, it would have been like George Costanza and "Vanderlay Industries!"

amorzote · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks, VN!

What was it George used to say? 'It's not a lie if you believe it'...

I'll see what I can do to emphasise the training experience in my previous jobs... not sure I have the chutzpah to tell blatant fibs at this stage!

BajaLaJaula · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 267

Sounds.....good...although you may want to drop the Yiddish when you get to KSA....doesn't go over very well. Laughing

Good Luck....and I am also a huge fan of Festivus for the Rest of us.

Van Norden · Joined: 23 Oct 2004 Posts: 409

"Love the Sein." 7:30pm on Star World Mon-Fri.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

The lack of experience is going to be a problem, particularly as government institutions tend to have a salary scale dependent on experience, and the salaries are only interesting if you are at the top of the scale.

You will need to work for a contractor or a private language school. You might well consider other countries, such as Korea.