Job Discussion Forums

[Demonicat]

This type of thread gets posted a lot on here, but as people seem to have no problem answering it I figure why not put another up here.

I have two questions:

1. Where do you find out about openings in the ME? I use tefl.com and eslcafe, but I KNOW there has to be more job sites.

2. (The long one). Where would be the best place for me and my fiance to work based on our qualifications:

ME- American male, age 28. US Peace Corps training, TEFL Certificate, BA in Sociology. I have 3 years of K-12 education experience, 2 years of University experience, and 1 year of Military/government experience. I have taught in Mali (West Africa, China, Korea, Indonesia, and Mexico)

HER- American Female, 33. US Peace Corps training, MA in International relations. She has 2 years experience teaching; one year k-12, and one year government. She has taught in Mali and Korea.

Any other advice is well appreciated. If any of you have questions about the places I have worked, I would be happy to answer in kind.

-Demonicat

[Cleopatra]

Regarding jobs, the main issue for both of you is the fact that you don't have relevant MAs. For sure, not all employers require them, but the better ones do, or will only waive the requirement for those with considerable third level teaching experience, preferably in the ME. Unfortunately, you don't have that either. You would probably find jobs in the Gulf region, but they would likely be of the dreaded language school variety. From just about every point of view, you'd be better off staying wherever it is you are now.

That said, it can't hurt to apply. Lots of places miscalculate their teacher requirements and end up getting desperate come August. Bear in mind, of course, that you will not be able to live, or even enter the country together in any part of the Gulf unless you are legally wed. So if one of you lands a job and the other doesn't, you will have to choose between getting married or spending most of the year apart.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Same-same, U.A.E. If you had the DELTA, things would be different. One place your fiancee might find a home is United Arab Emirates University. Here's their website: http://www.uaeu.ac.ae/ Give them a cruise.

NCTBA

[15yearsinQ8]

you asked for comments - no offense, ok? - but you're typical of the young wanna be teachers who seemed to decide to be teachers after sowing their wild oats traveling/studying. (BTW, is Peace Corp 'training' meant to say you completed a 2 year tour? if so, doing what? teaching? - it's much stronger to say '2 year Peace Corp expereince teaching' or words to that effect)
what you need to do now to be taken seriously is get certifications, licenses, etc that get you into the league of professional career educators.
the more the merrier.
with your current cv, you'll cap out early in dead end low scale jobs in the ME
my 2 cents

[jdl]

Demonicat,

Cheer up. It isn't all that bad. There are jobs to be had with reasonable pay. Your experience and education are acceptable...so don't give up. I would suggest Oman as a great place to work and live. It is peaceful and the lifestyle is what you make it. The pay is very comfortable given the cost of living. Depending on your lifestyle interests I can recommend locations for you if you are interested.

Although the Ministries in Oman(Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Manpower) seem to be always in an on again/off again hiring freeze they all do eventually hire. The colleges are busting at the seams and instructors are needed. Most colleges hire through contractors such as CECN, TATI, CFBT, BAHWAN Cybertech and a couple of others. You can google them for contact information or just check the postings here on Dave's. As an employer at one of the Colleges I would certainly look at you as a couple ( this is an advantage for many reasons)so don't be discouraged.

With your US connections and Peace Corps experience I would strongly recommend contacting Amideast...sorta the American equivalent of the British Council. They are 'up and coming'

Good luck and hang in.

[Cleopatra]

[jdl]

'Times..they are a changing'...as is said in Oman, "This is Oman, we are free to do what we want...just don't make noise for anyone".

But you are correct, officially the 'couple' does not exist without the paperwork. The stability of mature committed couples in the work place seems to have an influence on the hiring practice. I suppose it is a practical matter.....turn an eye to the paperless stable committed relationship with the 'appearance of family' or turn an eye to the dorm style, apartment hopping, bar room patronizing '20 something singles lifestyle'. Very pragmatic.

[Cleopatra]

[jdl]

There appears to be more of a separation of state, bedroom and work place in Oman than in other countries in the ME judging by comments in this forum. Many couples here are sponsored as individuals each with his/her own contracts, benefits etc....much the same as in North America with the domestic arrangements left to the individuals. I suppose some comparison can be drawn to rather strict laws rergarding 'common law' marriages and cohabitation which exist on the lawbooks of some western countries but which are never really enforced.

Love this country for its pragmatism.

[helenl]

i do believe the Omanis believe in live and let live - which is why there seems (on the surface) to be rarely any difficulties with "common law" relationships.

The only caveat I would have is that IF someone (a vindictive neighbour for instance) makes a formal complaint the police WILL act. Does this happen very often, apparently not from what I've seen. But would I want to be on the short end of the stick if it did - not on your nelly! BTW where does that expression comefrom

[johnslat]

Dear helenl,

I looked it up; it seems to have originated in "Cockney rhyming slang":

Shortened from Nelly Duff, for puff, i.e. breath of life

So it's like saying, "Not on your life."

diom
not on your nelly
CRS not on your life, an emphatic form of no.
Synonyms
not in a million years
not likely
not on your life
no way
no way Jose
when pigs fly
a cold day in Hell

Regards,
John

[helenl]

But then - who's Nelly Duff refer to

Thanks John - I wonder if I can incorporate it into a class someday?

[Cleopatra]

[jdl]

Florida, Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, North Dakota, North Carolina. Virginia, West Virginia. These last remaining state laws are either under challenge, recently repealed (10 years) or not enforced. Then there is the whole raft of fornication laws still on the books.

Common Law marriage is a recent recognition in the US. 50 years ago it was illegal to cohabit in all states. In the UK, as recently as 2007 amendments to cohabitation statutes dealing with property, off spring, rights etc were being characterized as 'marriage lite' laws. Altough not strictly illegal in the UK cohabitation brought with it an "apartheid' status which was and is being challenged.

Of course some jusrisdictions out and out forbid and punish cohabitation while others have gone as far as to make cohabitation and marriage legal synonyms.....and of course everything in between. A full range of legal responses to one of the most basic of human conditions.

A very complicated set of circumstances not limited to the ME.

[jdl]

Oh, I forgot the US military .... UCMJ article 134

Anyway, in the total spectrum of things the practice in Oman is somewhere in the middle. A pragmatic approach...as long as one does not make noise.