Job Discussion Forums

[felizjulianidad]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post. I myself am not a part of the academic circle, but I'm moving to Dubai (from California via London) as a consultant quite soon. I'm very young, so many of my friends are finishing university at the moment, and some have expressed interest in teaching jobs in Dubai.

I understand that the current climate is extremely competitive; indeed, although this is my first post, I've read enough threads to see people get scalded for asking repetitive questions.

My question is: what sort of positions (in what kind of schools) can a fresh new teacher (0-9 months of experience) from a top US university (any of the University of California campuses) aspire to? Is the CELTA absolutely indispensable, or is a TEFL certificate suitable enough?

I ask because I've noticed that many of you also need to bring your families, and to take care of all of them, you need a more generous, competitive package. For someone who is moving alone, can they somehow find something akin to accomodation, health insurance and $2000 a month?

Or has Dubai become so competitive that it's just out of the question? On the one hand, I can believe it would be so, but on the other, I realize that many schools are experiencing record student body growth and need to aggressively hire teachers.

Further: is Sharjah a suitable option for someone seeking that kind of package?


I have read enough threads on this forum to believe that these specific questions don't already have answers I can readily access. I would very much appreciate your replies, or whatever you may suggest based on your experiences.

To summarize in bullet form:

- What can a native speaker from a reputable university, 0-9 months of experience and a TEFL certificate find in Dubai, K-12?
- in Sharjah?
- with a CELTA as opposed to TEFL certificate?
- is it possible to aspire to accomodation/stipend, health insurance and roughly $2000 US a month?

Thank you in advance.

[edited for a typo "threats" to "threads"]

[mishmumkin]

[felizjulianidad]

Hi!

I appreciate any sort of reply, especially helpful ones like this one.

A general query on what is recognized as a valid teaching credential:

- CELTA, of course.

- Oxford Seminars TESOL is considered an equivalent?

- Some California Community Colleges (they teach first and second year university courses, leaving third and fourth for the larger universities) offer something skilled "Skills Competence Award", which is given after successfully completing roughly 60 hours of instruction. Would this have trouble being recognized in Dubai?

- Sites such as www.tefljobplacement.com offer $395 60-hour TEFL certificates, but they themselves concede it is not equivalent to a CELTA. How would it be viewed in Dubai?

The main reason I pose the question is that CELTA is being offered in few cities in the US and at exorbitant prices, which all in all represents a major obstacle. However, the online courses, Oxford Seminars and California Community College options are significantly more feasible, so I am wondering if they could translate into a comparable level of success.

Does anyone know of any schools who are willing to overlook a candidate's lack of teaching experience in favor of a Western university degree and one of the above certifications?

I appreciate all of your replies on this matter. I've read enough on this forum to know that many of you have impressive repositories of knowledge and experience, and I've met enough kind teachers to know it's a field where those committed have great human capital.

[helenl]

To my knowledge, unless you have a teaching certificate (i.e. licensed to teach in a public school in the USA/UK/Canada/SA, etc.) you would probably not even be considered by most of the k-12 schools in the UAE or anywhere else in the GCC. Having a CELTA or other English language credential wouldn't be considered equivalent.

Most desireable tertiary institutions HCT, ZU, UAEU, etc. wouldn't consider you either.

Having a Bachelor's degree in a discipline other than teaching might get you into one of the less desireable institutions (bad management, poor treatment, no resources and no benefits - housing/tickets/health coverage etc.) but you certainly wouldn't be making much money, certainly it would be difficult to afford housing let alone save anything much.

A Bachelor's degree and significant experience in industry (10+ years) might get your CV looked at by some second tier "colleges"

[felizjulianidad]

Hi,

the reason I mentioned Sharjah is that perhaps there the demand is just as high as in Dubai, but the competition may be lower (less people willing to work/live there?). (I realized I hadn't answered this question earlier)

So CELTA/TESOL certificates are insufficient if not accompanied by a local teaching license--in this case, California (which is the CBEST)?

[MGreen]

Your TESOL/CELTA will be recognized but it is not enough to get you a job with a gov't university. And the CBEST qualifies you for K-12 as long as you've actual taught 2 years in California.

[felizjulianidad]

McGreen,

The CELTA/TESOL may not qualify one for a gov't university, but how about any half-decent teaching job that allows for single person to live in suitably (not a slum school, liveable accomodations), be medically insured (privately), and $2400 a month?

In this case, the prestige of the post (top Dubai university or academy) is much less important than whether the above can be accomplished.

[felizjulianidad]

Hi. I've done some thinking about your input (it has been helpful).

In the United States, everything operates at a State (as opposed to a Federal) level. Therefore, you always gain a license to teach in a State first.

So when you say that international schools in Dubai require that you have the license to teach in your home country, would I be correct in assuming that the State Teaching Certification is sufficient?

Further, if it were to be attained in a particular subject matter to teach grades 7/12, would a TESOL degree also be necessary?

That is,

what could a US BA + State Teaching Certificate + little to no experience net you in a Dubai international K-12?

I know I have a lot of questions, but I thank you for your time.

[helenl]

Yes, your state k-12 teaching certification (meaning, you're qualified to teach in any public school) would qualify you for a great many schools. Be aware that American schools (or those following an American curriculum) usually require a US teaching certificate and the UK schools/curiculum usually look for a UK teaching cert.

I don't know that living in Sharjah would mean less competition per se - lots of people moved to Sharjah over the past years to escape high rents in Dubai (which have followed them).

I can't speak with certainty but I suspect that a lot of the teachers are hired as local hires, meaning, they're already in country and sponsored by their spouse. That means the schools don't have to pay tickets/medical/housing or any other benefits if the spouse already receives them.

That said, Chouifat (SABIS) might be an option for you but it's not one I'd recommend. A quick search on this board will deliver a load of information, a good deal of it negative, about them.

[felizjulianidad]

helenl,

Thank you for confirming to me that the SABIS schools in Dubai actually exist. I had seen websites, but had my doubt. After searching on the forums, I've seen that they're:

- terrible for the committed, experienced teacher who likes autonomy in their classroom
- suitable for unqualified Western expats who are willing to just go through the motions
- with the following caveats in mind:
- don't cross anyone in the administration
- don't drink on campus
- know how to handle your money (if you're clever with it, you can save--if you party too much, you will be scraping by)
- impose a significant amount of pressure on the teachers (with the hall monitors)

Is this a fair understanding?

They do not seem like the ideal fit at all for the qualified (certified) candidate, though acceptable for one who just has a BA and can handle being a drone.

I think the ideal solution is to get a State teaching license and apply for an American K-12. In the US, there are Temporary 3 year licenses, and Professional 5 year. I hope both are enough.

The main things to look for are some form of private medical insurance, some form of clean accomodation, and the ability to save up $500 a month.

If this is possible, I'll go for broke in getting it.

[uaeobserver]

Almost anyone with credible credentials should be able to save $500/month in the UAE, as long as they manage their appetite. Stay away from the hotels. Stay away from the night and beach clubs. Don't drive to Dubai for a night out --- and avoid the malls. Enjoy yourself, and don't indulge in things you don't need.

When I lived in the UAE, my taxi driver sent US $400/month home. I watched him do it, once, when he went to the exchange house to order a remitence (we were reasonbly good friends). The tea boy sent home around $300/month --- which afforded his family a brick home.

It was inspiration for me to get my act together.

[Chrisdaveloshoff]

[veiledsentiments]

[felizjulianidad]

Thank you, veiled sentiments.

I think I will be getting the State Certification and try my luck after that.

Any idea what the salary range is for the SABIS schools? I've read varying reports on this site, but no numbers.

I would only want to be in the Dubai one, or no more than a half hour's drive (metropolitan area).

By the way, to change the subject: anyone heard of the Universal American School? What's the word on 1) the experience at the school and 2) the package?

Thanks.

[mishmumkin]

The TESOL certificates do help a new teacher get comfortable with planning, organization, limiting their talk time, etc. All of that said, Choueifat have a very particular teaching style. There won't be time for group work/pair work as outlined in the certificate courses. Choueifat tells you what to teach and when to teach it, which is very useful for a new teacher, however they do nothing to help their staff learn classroom mgmt, so you basically learn on the fly. Your friend should seek out some books and websites on classroom management for primary aged children (where she'd likely end up since these schools often think you can't screw up the young ones). Someone recommended this site a while back:

http://www.behavioradvisor.com/