Job Discussion Forums

rxfaith · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 71

What is best to get for Saudi with regards to TESL certification/diplomas/bachelors etc? Anyone know of any that can be done mostly online?

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 5:01 pm Post subject:

The better employers usually prefer candidates with an MA in TESOL or Applied Linguistics, though some will accept those without a relevant MA so long as they have solid experience.

Zajko · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:00 am Post subject:

Interesting comment re employers not accepting Distance Masters' degrees in the Gulf. I did mine by this method from a UK university and never found this to be a issue despite working at a number of colleges and universities across the Gulf, including here in Saudi. Indeed, the question (whether my degree was taken face-to-face or distance) has never even come up during any interview.

I'm not necessarily saying you're wrong - though I'd be interested in knowing on what evidence you base your comment. It may simply be that I've been lucky or that I never explicitly volunteered the information as to by what route my degree was obtained. If so, however, I'd suggest (as there's nothing on the certificate to give this information) that a bit of careful obfuscation might occasionally be in order here.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Unless there has been a change this year, the Ministry of Education in the UAE does not accept them, but the Ministry of Higher Education does. (go figure..)

Other than that, there have been reports of individual employers here and there that don't like them. I think this problem will disappear as more and more people have them.

VS

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:16 pm Post subject:

Zajko · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:48 pm Post subject:

I take your point and am sure your info is correct. I ought to add to that, however, that as someone currently working for the MoE in Saudi, the fact that my Masters (not my original BA degree) was obtained by distance learning has never come up as an issue at any time. It may be that it's one of those Gulf regulations honoured more in the breach than in the observance?

I think VS makes a good point here as well - distance Masters degrees are now becoming so common in the EFL world (who among us can afford to take a year off work and do one full-time?) that they are going to become generally acceptable everywhere over the next few years, if they aren't already.

rxfaith · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 71

where did you obtain your distance degree from?

Zajko · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 6:40 am Post subject:

University of Leicester in the UK. A colleague here got a similar degree through the University of Birmingham (also UK) and like me, has never experienced problems working with it in the Gulf.

Like I said, there's nothing on the cert to say it was obtained by distance learning in any case, so if it's an issue which bothers you or your employer, there's no obligation on you to bring this up unless asked directly - which I never have been.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

In addition to the greater practicality of DL MA programs, they offer a much better opportunity to apply theory to practice. I did the Bham MA as well, and used my classrooms as a base for research for coursework all the way through.

There's a lot to be said for a solid distance MA program.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

By the way, I recall that there were at least two Saudi gentlemen taking the DL Bham course at the same time I was - we met at an optional summer seminar in Bham. They were both up for promotion and raises upon completion of the course, so I'm certain the Saudi government DOES recognize DL degrees, at least in some contexts.

Zajko · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:40 am Post subject:

I think that if it IS an official regulation (that DL degrees aren't recognised by the Saudi MoE) then it's one which is commonly ignored and probably on its way out.

You're absolutely right about the opportunities a DL degree gives one to apply theory to practice on a daily basis in the teaching arena - indeed, with much of the learning on the course, I struggle to work out how it COULD have been applied thoroughly at the time, whilst one is studying full-time in a purely academic environment.

The_Prodiigy · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 252

During my time in The Desert never experienced any hinderances from graduating with an Open Distance MA. Either whilst applying for the position, the initial visa or during the scrum at Riyadh Airport immigration. Was never an issue.

Like others, mine was awarded by University of Birmingham, which uses the same lecturers, texts and seminars as those attending the course on campus. Essentially this MA is recognised as the same as the original - the certificates are identical.

Having said all that, there are a burgeoning number of online Mickey Mouse and Noddy certificates not accredited by any established university or college. Those may be as useful as a corkscrew in the Jeddah.

Essentially, like other degrees depends on what you have earned.

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:17 pm Post subject:

Do I detect a note of defensiveness from those who have obtained their degrees by distance learning?

Zajko · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:32 pm Post subject:

Not in the slightest - as far as I'm concerned, anyway. Merely surprise than anyone ever seriously considered one type to be superior to the other.

More to the point - do I detect a touch of superiority in someone who didn't obtain theirs by this route?

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:47 pm Post subject: