Job Discussion Forums

Laura Ingalls · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 6

Hello. I've got twenty years' experience teaching ESOL to adults and university students in Asia and the UK. I have an MA in ELT and will have a PhD in applied linguistics by September. The snag is I'll be 55 this year. Am I too old for Saudi and the Gulf?

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

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

Send off those applications. There may be some that will exclude you for age, but you should be able to find a position especially with a PhD.

VS

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

You will be in a few years time ! Do it know ! By the way my daughter likes your books.

helmsman · Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 58 Location: GCC

You should fit in nicely. From what I have seen age and experience are valued quite a bit. Good luck.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

The one who wrote the books, scot, died fifty years ago, and even if alive, at one hundred and forty, would possibly be a little on the senior side, even for KFUPM.

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

In spite of Scot's being one of the resident wrinklies by his own admission, I suspect that he knew that it wasn't the 'real' Laura. Cool

VS

kuberkat · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Oman

The demand for PhD qualified instructors is actually growing where I am in Oman, since the pioneers of the English degree program will soon begin their final year, brimming with specialised subjects. At my college, the big question is where we will find seven new instructors armed with PhDs before September. While i don't have all that much to say for the recruiters, your qualification may put you in a negotiating position they cannot ignore. PM me if you would consider this.

Iamherebecause · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 7:17 am Post subject:

In the UAE, as long as you start your contract such that you could finish it before 60 they will hire you - and then if they like you you may get renewals, say, nother 3 year contract to take you from 58 to 61 and after that possibly one year contracts.

Laura Ingalls · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 6

Thank you all for the encouraging feedback. Sorry I couldn't get back to you sooner - the PhD, a daughter getting married this summer and working part time have left me almost no time to keep up with Dave's. I should be sorted by June. See you then!

PS Scot, I'm glad your daughter likes my books. Let me know if you'd like to have an autographed copy. (Cue in Prairie theme song here.) Wink

hakbs · Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 33 Location: Taipei vicinity

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Did you find anything yet ? Have you thought of trying TESOL Arabia where there is a reasonable jobfair ?

canadashirleyblue · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 162

Laura, if you are going to do it you need to get on with it.

There are places that will not hire you after 55. I "think" UAE is one. Saudi also has age restrictions but they seem to change, as a collegue once said "whenever they pass gass". Once you get in it's not as hard to stay.

Duffy · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 449 Location: Oman

Hi,

New to this General Middle East forum, though not to the Oman.

My "Local world bank" says that because I have passed over some magical aged "60" boundary, I cannot have a credit card, mortgage, personal or car loan.

Still, this year the MoHE have told me that I can work here in Oman until I am 70!!

Righto I say.

Duffy Very Happy

miski · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 298 Location: Kuwait

You're lucky in Kuwait you'd be out at 65.