Job Discussion Forums

[urbancomber]

I'm a single, 28 year old female who has spent the past six years teaching ESL in Taiwan...and am considering job hunting in KSA. I have my BA in Journalism, but no CELTA or MA. Will it be terribly difficult/impossible for me to find a job?

Thanks!

[johnslat]

Dear urbancomber,

"I have my BA in Journalism, but no CELTA or MA. Will it be terribly difficult/impossible for me to find a job?"

You might find a job, but with the qualifications that you have, it will almost certainly be a job that you will soon wish you had never landed.

Regards,
John

[urbancomber]

Thanks for the tip. So you would definitely recommend taking the CELTA course to improve my chances at finding decent work? Or are most positions reserved for those with postgrad degrees?

[johnslat]

Dear urbancomber,

Most of the the decent position require an MA in either TESOL or Applied Linguistics (plus a few years of overseas experience.)

Getting a CELTA might improve your chances slightly, but I'd say you'd be well-advised to look at the UAE (or maybe Oman) rather than Saudi.

Regards,
John

[veiledsentiments]

[scot47]

For a female to get a REASONABLE job EFLing in KSA an MA is definitely recommended. Unfair ? Yes ! That is life.

It helps if she is of the right perceived ethnicity and skin colour. Unfair ? Yes. That is life.

[lazycomputerkids]

A couple of things...

The recent spending on education in Saudi Arabia has resulted in an increase of contractors working within the university system.

I work for a company that staffs both language schools and university preparatory programs. I was offered a competitive salary including a fairly posh existence on a compound.

I read of competing companies cutting corners to compete against established companies and less desirable conditions.

From what I read on this forum, just a few years ago, a direct hire at a university was the best bet, but still a gamble. Adding contractors to the mix has widened the market a bit, but the same caveats remain.

Classroom experience, English as your native language and a Bachelor's is enough to land a job with a contractor- as ads will attest. A Bachelor's in an English related discipline is preferred, but I've met exceptions.

The difficulty is in determining if your employer will have issues with pay roll. Or issues with housing. Or issues with transportation. Which is why these matters are covered in contracts-- to protect both parties in case things don't go to plan.

There are many posts attesting to how contracts are not honored. I can't speak to another's experience. But I can say I had few clues as to reputation of the company I was considering until I saw their contract. It was reasonable and clear and in two languages. I was also put at ease when the company was willing to wait out the process of a resident worker's visa.

[johnslat]

Dear lazycomputerkids.

Good post - this caught my attention:

"The difficulty is in determining if your employer will have issues with pay roll. Or issues with housing. Or issues with transportation. Which is why these matters are covered in contracts-- to protect both parties in case things don't go to plan."

because, of course, if you are there working illegally (on anything BUT a "legitimate employment visa,") you have NO protection under Saudi law.

Regards,
John

[lazycomputerkids]

[Mia Xanthi]

Since so many jobs in KSA are for men (since only men can teach Saudi men), there are usually more jobs available for men with only a BA. They're not jobs I would want, but they are available...usually teaching military or trainees of some kind.

Most jobs for women are at universities, and the jobs almost always require a CELTA or an MA and three years of teaching experience.

[lazycomputerkids]