Job Discussion Forums

Fitzgerald · Joined: 10 Aug 2010 Posts: 224

I'm doing some basic research on teaching in various countries, so I can plan my path for the next few years effectively. Based on the information I provide below, what would be the best positions I could realistically apply for in the UAE? (I do realize that opinions will differ on this, as on anything.) What are realistic expectations regarding: pay in relation to cost of living; benefits including vacation time; quality and cost of housing? Finally, do you recommend the UAE as a place to teach, make money, and live?

My qualifications are: a Bachelor's degree in American History and Literature from an Ivy League university; two master's degrees in English Literature and Education from a top 20 university; extensive experience teaching English, journalism, history, and the social sciences at American high schools, and at university level as an adjunct. I have also worked in corporate education and I was a businessman before I became a teacher, so I am very familiar with the business world. I am currently teaching adult conversational classes at a private academy (hagwon) in Korea; it was a quick way to get overseas. I am 52 years old, healthy, and single; my only dependent is my cat, who came with me to Korea. I am male, white, and very professional in appearance; I always wear a jacket and tie. I tend to interview well. I don't have any academic publication history, but I have written professionally for magazines.

With these credentials, I know I can obtain a renewable visiting lecturer position in an English department in a Korean university. The class duties would probably include 10-20 hours of instruction in conversation, composition, and literature and culture for university students. It might also include classes in the university's adult language academy, and in their summer and winter English camps for students from middle school through university age. I would probably get 4-8 weeks of paid vacation per year. The pay would probably be in the 2-3 million won range (about $1,700-2,550 per month) with overtime potential. The apartment might be provided, might not, but if not, there could be a housing allowance folded into the pay.

Allowing for understandable differences in duties, compensation, and perks, this description is a good baseline for what I would be looking for in a position.

Private lessons are not legal in Korea, but I would be interested in teaching them in any country where they were legal, in order to augment my income.

The two factors that would most likely push me to another country are superior housing options and the ability to teach private lessons legally. Renewability is also important to me. I don't want to have to relocate every year. If a university is pleasant and the job proves agreeable, I would like to be able to stay for five years or more.

The two factors that would most likely keep me away from another country are a lifestyle tending toward third world conditions (which might depend more upon the specific location rather than upon the country per se) and difficulties over my pet.

MrScaramanga · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 221

Given your qualifications and experience -- and provided you have at least three years teaching experience at the university level -- you could apply for a position teaching esl/efl with one of the better employers here: HCT, ECAE, ZU. Not sure if UAEU (UGRU being phased out) will be recruiting any more.

As part of your employment package, you would get free housing (or an allowance), annual air tickets, health insurance and your salary should be in the neighborhood of $4,500-5,500/month tax free.

Life in the UAE is very pleasant overall. If you can tolerate the management where you work and the climate between May and November, you could be here a very long time and save a bundle of cash!

Your cat shouldn't be a problem, but I would recommend keeping it inside, as neighborhood kids tend to be cruel to animals.

Hope this helps.
MrS

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

Also suggest American University in Sharjah...

As to private lessons, officially they are not allowed under your contracts. A very few people do them (with no problem), but most feel that their salary is high enough and they spend enough time working on their main teaching gig.

VS

Fitzgerald · Joined: 10 Aug 2010 Posts: 224

Fitzgerald · Joined: 10 Aug 2010 Posts: 224

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

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

Just to add... you said that this was future planning. The academic schedule in the Middle East has the first semester starting around September. Applications should be sent in Jan/Feb. This is when the majority of the hiring is done. The other is to start with second semester in Jan/Feb and I would apply in October. Very little hiring is done for starts at other times.

VS