Job Discussion Forums

[huntjuliehunt]

I'm considering a job in the Middle East, but it would be to teach English at a university. I haven't been a student in so many years, I'm wondering what the real differences are in teaching at a university. The institutes usually had about 10 students in a class, so we had a lot of conversation. I will be happy to get any and all information, tips, etc. Especially for approaching the first day of a class.

[Extraordinary Rendition]

Since you posted in the Oman forum, one assumes you're asking about Oman, not the Middle East in general (unless you've posted elsewhere, as well?). I can only tell you about the uni where I work. I came here from the same situation as you, first uni job (well, second) after having worked in private languagee schools in several countries. Don't expect 10 to a class . Twenty-five? Thirty? But, Omanis are genuinely nice people. Motivation will depend on whether they're studying something for which they foresee a need for English or not. Be yourself; if you've been successful elsewhere, you will be here, too. Don't forget to be culturally-sensitive, but you don't need to be overly concened about it.

You'll get used to the class size, it's just a question of working a little harder at classroom management (I assume I don't need to go into detail) until you get accustomed to using your techniques on a larger scale.