Job Discussion Forums

[manamaorigirl]

Hi to all you women/mothers out there!!

I'm thinking of teaching in the ME next year - the UAE, KSA or Oman
I have a BA in Languages, 5 years experience online tutoring and teaching in Thailand, Japan and Sth Korea, a CELTA
I'm just asking for any advice/info about working/living as a woman/mother
in the ME area. What kind of job/conditions can I expect, how is the lifestyle for women/mothers and what kind of childcare/education is available if you have kids.
Any advice,info,suggestions etc would be greatly appreciated

Cheers!!

[helenl]

To be blunt, you don't qualify for any of the good jobs in the Gulf. The desirable employers require a relevant MA + at least 3 years post grad experience. Or for primary and secondary - you need a valid teaching qualification.

You're also up against a very large pool of available candidates who do have those qualifications and experience.

If you take a look at some of the more recent threads (here's one http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=70502) you'll get some info on the situation here.

There have also been a number of threads about single mothers/working moms etc. If you do a search, you should be able to track them down fairly easily. Short answer, it's doable, the big concern is education for the child/children (availability/quality and cost)

[manamaorigirl]

What do you term "good" jobs?? I just wanted a general idea of the types of jobs/conditions for 5 years experience, BA in languages and CELTA
I'm not looking for a university post. When I teach abroad my main focus is the culture and lifestyle - not the paycheck

[Sheikh N Bake]

Oh, give me a break.

[helenl]

Good jobs - I define them as

getting paid in full and on time
Getting paid a living wage
20 contact hrs/wk or less
Management that does not abuse me
Proper documentation to work in UAE is provided (i.e. work visa)
Transportation and livable accomodation

Your qualifications might get you a look in at a language school where you would have upwards of 30 contact hours a week, a split shift, probably an hourly wage that would not cover decent accomodation never mind the cost of a child's schooling or child care while you are working.

A lot of them will not provide proper documentation and expect you to pick up the cost of visa runs every 3 months to renew your visit visa. You will have not rights in the eyes of the law and will be subject to possible arrest and deportation if you're caught working without the right paperwork.

A lot of them too, will promise one amount of pay and deliver substantially less once you're there.

If you think you'll be mixing with Emiratis on a regular basis, think again. 80% of the population is expat mostly Indian/Pakistani and other SouthEast Asians - so you'd be better off actually going to South East Asia for that cultural experience.

Lifestyle? Not sure what you mean because your paycheck will dictate what kind of lifestyle you experience (and your personal tastes and habits) in UAE.

Again, take a look on the forums, this topic comes up about twice a month from people with similar qualifications to yours - the answers to their questions are pretty much the above.

[manamaorigirl]

Thanks helenl

You gave alot of good advice which I appreciate
Yes - I agree with you on the lifestyle side of things
I LOVE SE Asia and Japan but I think I'll look to Mexico
and Sth America to work
Thanks for your time!!

[15yearsinQ8]

are only the better jobs to be found at university level?
OMG, no
you'd be able to work in Kuwaiti private schools with a discount at the school for your child

[veiledsentiments]

Be very careful... many of these Kuwait jobs are what is being described by helen1...

VS

[wordsmith]

I was offered a short-term contract by a Kuwait recruiter which stated that it was prohibited for women to converse with men who were not their relatives. Read the fine print!

[veiledsentiments]

That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. That recruiter didn't have the slightest idea what he was talking about and is, in fact, a compete idiot.

I lived there and I know single women who have lived there for years and we talk(ed) to anyone we wished... male or female... Kuwaiti or non-Kuwaiti.

VS

[Cleopatra]