Job Discussion Forums

[ChrisV]

I got lots of useful advice previously on PhDs and the Middle East in my earlier thread. Things have progressed since then and I can be a little more specific now. I've been offered a place at Cambridge to study for an MPhil + PhD in English and Applied Linguistics. If I'm really lucky, I'll get funding for my MPhil year, but a far more likely scenario is that I'll have to fund the MPhil year myself, via a crippling bank loan, and then try to land a scholarship for my 3 PhD years (much easier to get). However, I may well have to pay off that MPhil before going on to the PhD--the monthly repayments could simply be too much to handle on the kind of stipend a typical scholarship provides. So, let's say that as of September 2009, I've got:

-a BA (non-TEFL related, 2:1)
-a CELTA (pass A)
-a DELTA (pass)
-an MA in English language Teaching and Applied Linguistics from King's College London (distinction & top of class)
-an MPhil in English and Applied Linguistics from Cambridge (I would imagine I'll manage distinction)
-4 years of EAP experience at a top-15 UK uni (specialised in teaching writing, had lots of Gulf Arab students), but only 2 of those years post-MA
-12 total years of TEFL experience
-GBP 17000 worth of horrrendous, backbreaking debt

I'm very frugal and lead a boring lifestyle, but I'm married with a child (my wife is a housewife & correspondence student). Assuming that I could make the trip to TESOL Arabia to go job-hunting, how likely is it that I could land a two year contract in the Gulf (preferrably not Saudi) allowing me to pay off that 17k? Would my good grades count for anything in terms of hitting a good paypoint on the salary scales? Or would my limited post-MA experience confine me to the lower rungs of said scales? Would the relative prestige of the institutions I have attended and worked at count for anything? Would it be really tough to secure a two- (as opposed to a three) year contract?

All advice appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

[scot47]

I would focus on paying off that 17,000 pounds debt ! And forget about collecting more pieces of paper !

[ChrisV]

[veiledsentiments]

I don't see any reason why you couldn't get a position at this point with one of the higher pays in the Emirates (HCT, ZU, UAEU). They all offer 3 year contracts. With your stated frugal lifestyle that you should easily pay off that loan within that contract... and even save a bit besides... or go crazy and have a few dinners at a hotel...

Your emphasis on writing and your experience with Arabic speakers (even if it was before the MA) should open the doors.

Which institution you study at and your grades pretty much count for nothing. As to getting a 2 year rather than a 3 year contract, there is a clause to resign before the contract ends, just be sure to follow it to the letter. You have to give a 6 month or so - one semester notice. But, with the pay and benefits, you would be better off just completing it. (looks better on the CV too)

VS

[ChrisV]

Thanks very much for the info VS.

[veiledsentiments]