Job Discussion Forums

[Kebin]

I have a BA, a year of experience here in Korea, and a 100 hour TESOL cert.

Given that I don't particularly care about money as long as what I make is enough to survive on and have a little left over to see the country with, what are my odds of landing a job in Oman? I'm only four months into my contract here in SK, so I have plenty of time to prepare and hunt, ideally getting something that will start around September 2011. Are there courses I could do online here in Busan that would improve my odds? Are university jobs out of the question sans 3 years experience, or is it a case of being the right person at the right time, with the right cover letter?

I'd appreciate any insight, this country fascinates me and it's at the top of my list for destinations next year.

[eha]

No harm in trying--- you never know. They usually like an MA in Linguistics or related discipline, but I've known plenty of people who didn't have that and who still got jobs. You're right; Oman is the nicest place in the Gulf to work, and the country is absolutely beautiful...

[veiledsentiments]

The jobs where you have a slim chance are the Ministry jobs that you see advertised all over the place all the time. They don't require an MA, but ask for 3 years experience. Are they enforcing it? Supposedly, but it is also a supply and demand thing.

I would start applying to them in January. The worst that they can do is say no... and you can keep working elsewhere to try to get to the required three years.

VS

[Kebin]

Interesting, thanks for the insight, I'll go take a look and see if I can find one of the Ministry jobs you mentioned to see what I'm up against!

[Kebin]

Hmm... I've been doing some thinking and research in the last hour or so, and it looks like I could do an applied linguistics MA from my alma mater in only a year. If I'm looking at spending at least a few years in the Middle East, is a year out to do an MA going to be worth it in the long run?

It seems like in the TEFL world there's an academic qualifications arms race going on, just like every other discipline on Earth. I suppose that even if an MA isn't necessary at the moment, in another few years it very well may be...

[Kebin]

And by the way, I like your cat, VS.