Job Discussion Forums

[Winstonio]

I have a B.A. and a post-degree TESL certificate from the U.S. and 15 years of relevant experience in the U.S. and abroad. I've even spent some time in the Middle East. I've recently visited the websites of several schools, and I've discovered that some schools have already ended their online hiring period or they did their hiring at job fairs. It seems that certain schools require Master's degrees. I haven't had the luxury of being able to attend job fairs, but I have been hoping to find a job (from overseas) for a one-year contract (not two years), such as the 2009-2010 school year. I'm particularly interested in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and perhaps Bahrain. I have applied directly on a couple of websites, but I can't keep waiting to see if they will respond. I have posted my resume here on Dave's ESL Cafe, but I just get responses from South Korea and China. I'd really like to know more schools that I can contact directly. Any suggestions?

[helenl]

Most contracts are at least 2 years and usually 3.

The desirable employers in UAE, Qatar, Oman require at least the MA + 3 years post grad experience. You may be a gifted teacher with loads of relevant experience but there is a lot of competition out there from those with these qualifications. Your CV probably wouldn't make it past the screening process.

You might be considered by one of the language schools (i.e. Berlitz) or the "bottom feeders" (those who do not pay well, in full, or on time to mention some of their more obvious traits). None will give you a ticket and housing and medical and you'll probably be paid on an hourly rate with upwards of 30 contact hours (no payment for prep time).

The bottom feeders probably won't get you the correct documentation which means you'll be working illegally, subject to arrest and deportation (at your expense) and having to pay for "visa runs" every 3 months or so to renew your visit visa.

[veiledsentiments]

Your best chances might be in Saudi Arabia. Look at KFUPM. Do a search on the Saudi board. Saudi has the most jobs that don't require an MA.

Another option is the MoE jobs in Oman, but be warned that the pay is low and the conditions are spotty... and they use recruiters who vary widely as to efficiency. Read around on the Oman board... many threads about these.

Middle East employers do their hiring by March for the following August/Sept. By the end of March, they have attended TESOLArabia and TESOL in the US and finished their hiring. This is mostly because the paperwork takes time.

VS

[15yearsinQ8]

any decent private international school would look twice at you and immediately interview you

[veiledsentiments]

The best of the international schools will require a teaching certificate from your home country (ie state, if from US).

VS

[15yearsinQ8]

it's the time of year (decade/century) to once again smack down VS (who does not have a state certificate nor has taught at international schools in the ME which I have)
In kuwait, I can list 3 premier private schools with US curr. which do not require state/natioanl certification - back in the day, maybe VS's day, they did but now they don't - i have persoanl first hand knowledge
OP if you're interested in Kuwait, PM me
please vieled, you're OK, but you're not a forever know it all, temper what you say......

[veiledsentiments]

Sorry, but you may be 'all-knowing' about Kuwait, but you smacked yourself on this one... it is not true of the rest of the Gulf. (perhaps Saudi?)

Perhaps it is just an inability to read. The fact is, that as I stated, the *best* of the international schools require certification from your home country. Those that don't require it are those that tend to show up here on the complaint threads - those that my friends with certification wouldn't touch with a bargepole.

VS

[Molson]

All the international schools I looked at (which would have been the top 3 in each country) require one to have certification from their home country/state. So essentially they require an education degree that had a practicum portion.

[jdl]

Winstonio,
Your qualifications are acceptable for teaching at the college level. This however changes on paper from year to year depending on how strictly the standards are set at the ministry level. The standards are paper standards for the most part and as the season progresses are adapted to suit demand and budget available.
Try the Colleges in Oman (Ministry of Manpower -MoH and Ministry of Higher Education -MoHE). The colleges are short or below quota on staff. The hiring process can be very slow due to some internal economies and 'hiring freezes' which are an annual thing not related at all to supply. The quickest route to a hire is through a contractor such as CECN, Tati, Bahwan, Cfbt and a couple of newer players. The search for the mythical direct contract for 'a ton of money' is very elusive and a spring time ritual amoung eslers for the most part. The contractors vary in their quality and are profit driven .... so be aware.

There are always the private universities and colleges such as Nizwa and Dhofar and a host of private language schools such as ELS etc. The jobs in adult education are there.

[egyptfan]

Not sure if you would consider Saudi and Riyadh but Adex Academy (teaching English to adults) advertised here on Dave's on May 8.
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=19630

I know they offer one year contracts and have a good reputation for paying on time, etc.