Job Discussion Forums

[MsDooLittle]

I am British English, 38 and have been successfully teaching business English in Bratislava, Slovakia, for eight years. I have a decent (non teaching) BA, post grad dip, and TEFL cert. I've managed to build a really interesting portfolio of students, including government ministers and business managers from pharma/healthcare, finance, IT. I work as a freelance and earn enough for a nice flat in the centre of town and decent standard of living.

But I'm a little bit bored; craving a change and a personal challenge/adventure. Honestly, I would really love to leap into a new life and culture. Would I be able to find such interesting work / lifestyle in the ME? Or is it 'the grass is greener...'? How easy would it be for me to find work - teaching adults in a professional sphere - and achieve the SOL I have here in Slovakia, in the ME? Are there any countries I should look to or avoid?

I'm not a big drinker but I like a glass of wine at the weekend.... would I have to sacrifice this pleasure?

Or is it a crazy idea and I should stay where I am???

[helenl]

First do a quick search on your particular parameters. Then come back with more specific questions.

What are your quals? Do you know what the better employers require here? Look on their websites do you meet their requirements? The GCC is well known for requiring attested documentation for better employers. That's why they pay more (generally) than other geographic areas.

As a single woman you might get invited to a wedding or two in the UAE or Qatar or Oman - but in the first 2 you would not be part of a cultural integration, just polite. Perhaps in Oman you might get a little more "contact" but I wouldn't hold my breath

Do the search first, then come back with more specific questions, you'll get better answers and we can help you out more.

[MsDooLittle]

Thank you for your reply, I confess, I am puzzled by your mention of weddings???

Re. quals I have a BA (2:1 hons) from a British uni (Media Studies) then did a TEFL cert. in Prague. I don't have formal teaching quals (only the TEFL) but I do have good experience, eight years here in Slovakia. I have taught all ages and levels, can do grammar (love the present perfect!) but have found my real ability and preference is teaching adults, particularly in business, in the fields of pharma / healthcare / IT / finance.

I understand that most schools require MA / teaching quals which I lack. However, is there demand for teaching/training managers / professional adults, say in the big companies eg. QP, BAE etc?

Sorry if I am being vague. I am keen to spread my wings as I feel I have reached a peak here and am looking for the next step...

[johnslat]

Dear MsDooLittle,

"Thank you for your reply, I confess, I am puzzled by your mention of weddings???"

Gulf countries are pretty much "closed societies." You won't be able to "leap into" a "new culture" there beyond probably getting invited by some of your students to attend a wedding party or two. You'll be on the outside, looking in, rather like the child who presses her face up against a locked-up candy store window.
The odds are extremely high that you will not be a "Florence of Arabia."

Regards,
John

[MsDooLittle]

Thanks John, I appreciate your reply. I am sorry that I come across as so naive - my wording was inappropriate. I am not such a tefl newbie - having been an 'outsider looking in' for many years now. It is life. I have no desire to be Florence of anything. Indeed I enjoy and am settled with life as an expat. This is why I feel ready for a change of location. My question is really only about work - would I be able to get the interesting kind of teaching work (corporate) I have done here, in Slovakia, despite not having more than a basic TEFL certificate + BA (+ thorough grasp of grammar) + eight years experience.

[Iamherebecause]

I think in most countries of the ME it would be hard to be a single freelance here. You need a residence visa - and to get one you need a job or a spouse with a job. So you would have to look at full-time positions.
With your experience and qualifications I would suggest you try the various British Council centres.

[MsDooLittle]

Thanks Iamherebecause.... that's helpful. I am up for getting a full time position - indeed it will be more social than the lonely life as a freelance - but it looks like it will be hard for me to get a position without a pgce or something similar. If any of you are curious or interested in teaching / living in Eastern Europe just let me know!

[Deicide]

[MsDooLittle]

I'm not a total hermit, I like having friends to hang out with. As said before - I like a glass of wine at the weekend! I really enjoy my work.... but it's also nice to spend time with people other than students.

[Pikgitina]

[Deicide]

[MsDooLittle]

Just because I am 38 and single (not technically)....???? You make assumptions too soon...'assumption s the mother of all f***k up'!!! Somebody may have written me off as a Florence earlier in the thread but I would like to point out that my success in TEFL is in large part due to my hot looks and youthful charm, as well as grammar... Nothing to be proud of I know.

[littleoldlady]

Gotta stick up for VS here. She is self contained and knows what she wants and who she is. I think that's a pretty good position to be in.
Not like me

Hey Pik = you got your bathers packed???

[Deicide]

[Deicide]