Job Discussion Forums

Cycom · Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 5

Hello ladies and gents. I've been lurking for a few months now, and have been trying to soak up as much info as possible. The job situation in Los Angeles is dire and rather than look for certificated teaching work elsewhere in the state or nation, I have decided to pursue the overseas route. Ideally, I'd like to find a position for August or September. Before I ask my questions, I'd like to list my qualifications...

- BA in English from a California State University (USA)
- Teaching Credential (English) from a California State University
- 3+ years working as a teacher assistant for LAUSD
- about 3 months working as a substitute teacher in Los Angeles

Ok, on to my questions...

1. What are my job opportunities in the Middle East? By country?

2. Do I really need TESOL certification considering I already have a teaching credential?

3. With my qualifications, how much can I realistically look at earning? (I do not have illusions of grandeur, but I'd like to make and save as much money as possible)

4. What are the chances that both my fiance and myself can be placed in the same city? (We've been considering moving up our marriage to make a same-city placement possible. . .we both decided that we want to be in the same city at the very least; preferably in the same house!)

5. Will a criminal record prevent me from getting a job? I had a drug related DUI over 10 years ago. Both the drug charge and the actual DUI were dismissed and later expunged. Will the hiring agencies have access to this information? What should I do when applying for a visa? I've read here that some who had criminal backgrounds still got their visas and got hired while not mentioning their past. Any advice?

I'm sorry for the comprehensive nature of these questions, but I need to have everything in order and understood before I start applying. By the way, I'm 29, male, and have lighter skin and dark hair. I'm only mentioning this because I've gotten the impression that such information matters to certain employers in certain countries.

I look forward to your responses and thank you to all in advance.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Dark hair ? We only hire blondes !

Seriously I would say you have good prospects. In KSA you are certainly employable.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Take a look with the search function for some of your questions. The more desirable employers in UAE, Oman and Qatar require a related masters + 3 years post grad experience.

International schools using the US curriculum may look at you if you have a valid US teacher's certificate - but they don't pay as well as the HCTs, UAEUs, ZUs, for example in UAE

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Perhaps Teachaway jobs? but your experience is very thin, so they may not consider you even if you do have a state teaching cert/license.

Just a couple comments on your questions... you said that your teaching credential is in "English." I would interpret that to mean that you are qualified to teach English classes to native speakers. That is not the same as teaching ESL and in most US school districts, you need additional certification in ESL to teach it. So, I would say that if you plan to teach ESL, you need the proper training. I suggest a CELTA, which is what the employers in the Middle East prefer.

As to the criminal charges, I would assume that if they were 'expunged' from your record, they would not turn up in any search by a foreign country. This was a misdemeanor, not a felony charge, right? Personally I wouldn't bring it up. In the Gulf, it is the employer that does most of the visa work... though Saudi jobs have the biggest paper chase.

As to the placement of your fiance, you haven't told us what kind of job she would want or her credentials. If you want to live together, I suggest that you just go ahead and get married first. It will simplify your life in cultures where co-habitation of non-marrieds is a crime punishable by prison time, lashes, and deportation, even though many get away with it in places like Dubai. (here is an area where nationality and skin color comes in... two lily white foreigners can get away with this easier than a mixed race couple...)

Pay is a tough one because it depends so much on the country. I would guess $2000 to $3000 a month. Which sounds low, but remember it is 100% tax free plus one normally is provided with free housing, tickets, medical, and a few other benefits.

VS

Cycom · Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 5

johnslat · Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 3:50 pm Post subject:

Dear Cycom,

"If we were to live together, would authorities check our marriage certificate...or would having a ring be enough? Would they check our marriage certificate before getting hired? Detailed info would be greatly appreciated!"

Oh yes - they would check. You couldn't come as a couple without being married. And, if you came separately and started living together, you'd be courting disaster. A ring would most certainly not be enough.

The nearest CElTA training center for you would be this:

"Ms. KIMBERLEY CHO
TEACHING HOUSE SAN DIEGO
1706 5TH AVENUE
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
92101
USA
UNITED STATES
Tel: 619-320-6192
Fax: 646-219-7759
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Internet: http://www.teachinghouse.com

Awards offered: CELTA"

Regards,
John

Cycom · Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 5

Thanks for the marriage info, John. We'll see what my lady thinks about all of this! Surprised

I found that CELTA location too, but unfortunately San Diego is two hours away from me. Frankly, I'm shocked that a major city like Los Angeles doesn't have a CELTA center.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 5:24 pm Post subject:

Cycom · Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 5

What's the next best alternative to CELTA?

johnslat · Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 7:01 pm Post subject:

Dear Cycom,

You may find this thread on the General Forum of interest:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=80387

Regards,
John

Cycom · Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 5

Thank you for the link. Would I be correct in assuming that a TESOL certificate from a reputable school be as good or almost as good as CELTA for my job search?

johnslat · Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 9:43 pm Post subject:

Dear Cycom,

As one of the posters on that thread put it: Which TESOL?

If you want to work in the Middle East, most places there don't accept "online certificates." But if you're talking about a classroom course, which has graded "teaching in a real classroom" as part of the course, one offered by a
"reputable school," well, that would likely be "almost as good" most places,

Sorry for all the qualifiers. but it's impossible to make "blanket statements" about hiring practices in the Middle East.

Regards,
John

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Many GCC countries now require a police clearance cert from your country as part of the security clearance check done in the GCC country.

I suppose you could ask for one and see if your expunged charge actually shows up? If it does, you can forget this part of the world.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

That's a good idea. Though I just heard a story about one teacher with a serious felony conviction in the home country (I read the legal info online) who has been teaching around the Gulf... leaving a trail of local bank fraud and credit card violations in each country... who seems to be still applying for and getting jobs.

So... I suspect that their check isn't as efficient as it could be. Cool

VS

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours