Job Discussion Forums

Mike2Teach · Joined: 12 May 2010 Posts: 4 Location: USA

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

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

The big question is why the Middle East? If you think that you can make big money, that is highly unlikely with no credentials. If you want to experience the culture, I suggest heading to North Africa or the Levant, and not the Gulf. If you want a real job in education in the Middle East with good pay, benefits and conditions, you will need that MA + 3-5 years related post MA experience or you need the official teaching license from your home state which you get after completing an education degree.

In the Middle East there are very few jobs for people who just have "excellent English skills" and "some background" in teaching... whatever that means. This describes teachers that head to Korea or China or other Asian countries who are hiring your white face.

You mention that you "know people" who are currently teaching with no credentials in Saudi and Kuwait. Then why not get jobs through them? You are aware, are you not, that no one can "go in person" to Saudi Arabia to look for work? Entrance visas are done by the employers after you are hired.

The answer to your question is that there are a limited number of jobs in Saudi or Kuwait... and perhaps Oman... but the majority of them are in Saudi... that will hire someone with your limited credentials. But they are the jobs that most of the people here wouldn't want. Expect disorganized and abusive employers... poor management... low pay. You can read all the threads about these abusive employers on the Saudi board.

Do get a certificate that has you do some supervised teaching. That is what the employers look for... and don't even consider an online course. CELTA is considered the best by the employers. Not to be critical, but the reality is that you probably know little or nothing about teaching EFL or especially classroom management - which will sink you trying to teach 25 bored spitless military recruits or petroleum workers or whatever.

VS

Mike2Teach · Joined: 12 May 2010 Posts: 4 Location: USA

The reason for the middle east is because we are muslim. I have no desire to travel to or teach in Korea, China or Japan.

Yes I know about visas to saudi, I have been there before. my wife has also been there before and the middle east countries are the only countries she feels comfortable traveling to.

I don't care about "big bucks", just want to be able to live in reasonable conditions. The people I know that are teaching over there are teaching at smaller schools which tend to give priority to muslim teachers. They said that the conditions in which they are working under are more than fine with them.

Thank you for your advice. I really appreciate it.

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

Because you are looking at the lower tier jobs, I suggest that you use your friends and contacts to find something that isn't too abusive. Sadly, many of the bad employers treat their fellow Muslims the worst of all... taking advantage of your desire to work and live in a Muslim environment.

VS

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

you want advice, brother?
DON'T BE IN A HURRY TO COME HERE WITH MARGINAL QUALIFICATIONS.
take another 12 months and get a tack on state certification to teach anything (elem, ms english, hs english, esl even math or pe).
it'll take a summer course and a fall semester to get relevent course work you didn't get in that unrelated degree then a spring semester to do your student teaching.
you may be able to CLEP out of some courses - educ psychology for instance.
if you come here now, you will be dead ended into institutes, slimy companies and lower tier international schools.
if you want to do this for a while and get respect, up your qualifications to at least a state certification NOT JUST a 'tesol certificate'

Mike2Teach · Joined: 12 May 2010 Posts: 4 Location: USA

Thanks for the advice. The problem with doing that is that my wife and child are in the UK right now. I have immigration problems going back to the UK and they can only come here so many times on a visitor visa before getting harassed or even denied entry to the States. With the way things are over here now, it will be very difficult for me to get a job which would pay enough to provide for my family as well as their immigration to get them here.

I figured that to be together in another country would be better than to not be together at all, which is our current situation.

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

Make sure that any of the jobs that you take will allow you to bring family. Many of the lower tier jobs are single status only.

VS

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

ksam · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:38 pm Post subject:

Take the time to get your qualifications up. Spending 1 year getting your teaching licence will be well worth it. However difficult it may seem being apart from your family now, working in a low tier school in Saudi will be much much worse. Please seriously consider the advice given here, especially since you have a (young?) family to worry about.