Job Discussion Forums

[hoojacks]

Hey guys and gals, I'm a long time lurker, first time poster.

A little about me: I'm one year through my Masters in TESOL. My goal is to teach in the Middle East when I'm qualified, hopefully at HCT or ZU in Dubai. I'll plan on applying when I've got 3+ years of experience after I get my degree. That experience will hopefully come from community colleges in America, I do not plan on teaching conversational English in east Asia.

Now, that being said, I'm willing to learn anything. I figure I have around 4 years to build my resume (here's hoping the world economy isn't completely collapsed in 4 years). So, I'm wondering what it takes to get noticed when applying for a job at HCT or ZU. What kinds of things should I be able to put on my resume? Do they really care about any prestigious scholarships I got when I was in college?

From what I've gathered from lurking, having a specific area of focus, such as ESP or EAP is very helpful. I'm thinking about going down that road, but I don't know yet.

Also: if anyone knows of other colleges and/or institutes that I should be looking into that are on a comparable level with HCT or ZU anywhere in the Middle East, please let me know.

Any help you guys can give me would be very much appreciated!

[veiledsentiments]

Let me just point out one minor detail to start. When you apply at HCT or ZU, you have no choice on what branch. They put you where they need you - you don't get to choose Dubai. But, there are pros and cons to the different cities and that is something to worry about as you get closer to your goal.

I'm sure others will have advice, but I would suggest that you concentrate on getting IEP experience... teaching academic English... even better if there are a few Arabic speakers in the class. Because their weakness is in reading and writing, I'd try to get as much experience as possible in those.

VS

[Sheikh N Bake]

It may be necessary to obtain MORE than three years' experience, and in Arab countries to boot. If you don't care about money, you can go where you want. If you need money, you'll need to pay your dues in Saudi Arabia before thinking of applying to a UAE university. I don't recommend it as a first teaching job, however.

[Iamherebecause]

[hoojacks]

Hey ya'll, thanks for the advice. I will definitely look into academic English. Also, I didn't know that HCT and ZU were something I really had to work up to. I don't really want to go to Saudi, but I don't need to make too much money, so I'll definitely look around the region.

thanks again.

[sundrieddate]

All in all these are not "bad" places, but they are confused places. I think this is why the hiring issues arise - they are uncertain about tomorrow.

You are correct, they are not places you need to work up to. As an ESL teacher you will be happy because they are really just ESL schools with mass budgets. An impressive shell.

Apply if you want to come, they may just hire 20 in the next week. I think no one really knows how they hire here in the UAE as it depends on the MoEs mood that day.

[NadiaK]

Techno know-how - CALL, computers, computers, CALL...online learning, blended learning...educational technology...that sort of thing.