Job Discussion Forums

[Mike2Teach]

I am currently finishing my BA in an unrelated subject, but I would like to teach English in the middle east. I only have about one year of experience teaching/tutoring English.

I am planning to get a TESOL or TEFL certificate, but I'm confused as to which one I should take. I do know that I can't spend the money or time for CELTA or DELTA. I called TESOL International and they told me that I would need my masters or five years of experience to teach English in the middle east. I called LccTeach and the guy told me that I could easily get a job in the middle east with just my BA and a TESOL certificate.

I don't really care if the course provides me with great training because I already have some background in teaching English and I have excellent English skills. I just need the certificate which says I have taken the course. Some people on these forums advised against taking courses such as i-to-i because they said their training wasn't good, but does it matter if I don't care much about the training anyway?

Also, I currently have some friends that are teaching in countries such as Saudi and Kuwait, but their only qualifications are BA's in unrelated subjects. Why are people saying that I would need a MA or years of experience to teach there? Many of the job listings I have seen on the internet also only require a BA and TEFL/TESOL certificate.

I am planning to just get a TESOL or TEFL certificate and apply for jobs myself or go their in person and apply. I can also use the contacts I have over there for connections. Anyone have advice or things to warn me about before starting my process?

Thank You

[michgreen]

You should post this in the Middle East thread. Talk about an MA/ experience has to do with teaching positions in gov't universities/colleges in the Gulf countries. Saudi & Kuwait have a much harder time recruiting teachers than UAE, so they can be less picky about who they hire.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Go ahead, "Mike2Teach", you try to shake that money tree real hard with yer creds...

NCTBA