Job Discussion Forums

[mozsmith]

I have just completed my CELTA in Spain and just recieved permission to work in Ireland ( I am an Australian ). While waiting for my visa to process I have been travelling in Morocco and I was amazed by the Arab culture. I have noted that there is a lot of work in the Middle East and I would be interested in maybe a short contract to develop 'a taste' for the region. I see that there is a lot of work in KSA, but what is the situation like in the more liberal Gulf States? I am a 20 year old male - would this be an issue?

Any advice would be great!

[veiledsentiments]

I don't know if there is 'a lot of work' in the Middle East for a 20 year old with no experience and a freshly minted CELTA. There would be nothing in the Gulf. They don't do short term. You might be able to pick up a summer course in Morocco. (or Egypt) Just don't expect to get a 'contract' or make any money to speak of.

The vast majority of all those jobs you have heard about require an MA and a few years of experience.

VS

[basiltherat]

i believe syria (damascus) would be a great place to test the waters. Their arabs so u can get to grips with some of the problems (both teaching-related and local tradition related). You can test the arab diet and get some idea of arab idiosyncracies (from a western point of view, anyway). Also you can have the opportunity to learn some of the lingo without feeling particularly oppressed by the lifestyle that you often get in the gulf (Saudi, Kuwait etc) On the other hand, you will still be able to enjoy booze and several other aspects of our way of life that might well be unavailable in the gulf. Egypt sounds good alto ive only spent a short time there so others might be able to help, perhaps.
PM me if u want some ideas about working in Damascus. Age might be a problem but i have seen those around your age teaching here so its not impossible.
basil

[Scarlet_UK]

Sorry to bump such an old thread but I dont have enough posts to send PMs yet.
I, too, am looking for short term work in the Middle East simply because I have important commitments that obstruct me from taking a one year contract anywhere. I'm female, in my early twenties, but I do have decent qualifications including a TEFL and a year of ESL experience - I still don't know if it would be futile for me to try and find anything though?
I'd be open to going anywhere, don't mind about salary, just want to explore.

[helenl]

Short answer, you don't have the qualifications to find ANY decent job. By decent, I mean - proper documentation and getting paid in full and on time. I make no comment on how you might be treated by admin.

That said, you won't get offered anything with benefits (accomodation and tickets) and your pay would be abysmal (even if you did get paid on time and in full). You won't be able to afford to rent, there is no "real" public transport anywhere in the GCC and I'd be surprised if you could save enough to pay for the upfront cost of a return ticket home (and you do need a return ticket without a resident permit).

Try Syria, Egypt or Morocco. You won't make big bucks but at least you will be able to live above mere subsistence levels.

[jdl]

It is possible to get short term work in the colleges in Oman. Often colleges hire throughout the year on an academic calendar year meaning if one were to apply and get a job in January of any year the contract would expire in July of the same year. This arrangement varies from contractor to contractor so attention to the contract details is required. In the past these 'shortened contracts' have had full benefits with certain contractors. The largest factor is training and experience with the minimums being adjusted as the academic year progresses and positions remain unfilled.
It is worth a go. It certainly helps if one is known to the college through a friend already working there.

[veiledsentiments]

Do they hire people from outside Oman? What about work visas?

VS

[jdl]

Yes the contractors do hire from outside of Oman. Applications from within Oman and 'walk ins' also are common. The difficulty for local applicants who are presently working is the NOL (no objection letter). Since qualified 'in country' native speaking expats are usually already attached to a sponsor job jumping is tricky for visa reasons. The walk ins and local applications which tend to be successful are ones which do not require a NOL; in other words unemployed local native english speakers. Job jumping is very well controlled through the visa/sponsor process. Out of country hires are often just easier and sometimes the only way to fill a vacancy.

As for work visas, the contractors if advertising and hiring for a position have a corresponding visa window.

[denise]

[jdl]

You have done it the 'right way' probably explaining why it was so easy. You finished a contract, cancelled your sponsors (employers) visa, left the country and re-entered under a new employment visa (temporary tourist visa to become resident card) attached to a new employer.

The problem arises when one is under contract and wishes to change employers in mid contract. It is unusual to find 'absconding ads' on esl teachers but I have seen one or two. Without the Letter of no Objection one becomes an absconder under the above circumstances.

There are some arcane exceptions where runners or those 'exported' have left, acquired a new passport, returned and become employed with a new employer......these few are legendary tales in the industry.

You are very correct in that the process is painless(relatively), seamless (relatively) and transparent if it is followed.