Job Discussion Forums

[Trinley]

Hi, I am hoping for a little guidance as to what countries I should aim for and what positions I might qualify for. I have been thinking about the ME for a while but haven't been there at all, so I don't have much to go on.

I'm 29, female, from the US. Bachelor in Linguistics, TESL Certificate from Duke University. I have been teaching ESL in various countries (China, Canada, France, Japan) since 2006. I have taught all ages in language institutes, colleges, universities, and public school. I'm not a state certified teacher. I'm not willing to pursue any further credentials to teach ESL.

What I'm looking for mostly is the highest salary possible for me. My goals are to pay off nearly $40,000 in student debt as quickly as possible and save a decent amount toward my masters (which is like $20,000). Ideally this would be my last ESL venture that would help me pay for further studies and veer off into some work that I'm more interested in.

I would like to teach in a college or language institute -- no kids.

Considering my background and my goals, could anyone advise as to what my best options are? Thanks!

[helenl]

If you do a quick search here you'll see your quals won't get you into a decent job with a decent employer at the college level in the GCC - most require a related Master's + 3 years post grad experience. And competition is tough, there are a lot of people looking to break into the GCC marketplace with the correct qualifications and experience. Should you try? Certainly, but don't hold your breath.

Also, in the GCC you need an employer who is willing to get you the required documentation in order for you to work legally. Most linguistic schools tend to hire those already in country and sponsored by their spouse - that way the employer does not have to provide visa or benefits.

Others will have to speak to other countries in MENA region.

[Citizenkane]

[Trinley]

Thank you for your efforts, but I don't quite see the response to my question. I didn't ask for a particular salary. I just asked what I would qualify for. I find it hard to believe that I qualify for absolutely nothing in all of the Middle East. A friend of mine with the same degree as mine and no TESL Certificate worked in a college in Saudi Arabia.

Anyone else? Thanks.

[helenl]

To clarify - you don't qualify for the better jobs.

You won't be able to work legally for nearly everyone else.

Maybe you should try where your friend used to work?

[Trinley]

Thank you, but still, my question is not what I don't qualify for but what I do qualify for. What I don't qualify for is of no interest to me.

The answer to my question would look like this:

You may qualify for x type of job.
They may pay you x amount.

Whether that offer is good, bad, better, or worse is a matter of opinion.

[Trinley]

There are the qualifications requested by a university employer in Saudi Arabia, posted on the international job board. This, in part, is what suggests to me that the belief that anyone without a Masters is universally unemployable in the entirety of the Middle East is incorrect.

Essential:
� Bachelors degree
� CELTA qualification or equivalent (TEFL qualification including a minimum of 120 hours of face to face study and 6 hours of observed teaching practice)
� 2 years EFL teaching experience - preferably in a Middle Eastern country

[johnslat]

Dear Trinley,

No Masters = unemployable in the entirety of the Middle East?

By no means - lack of a Masters only means that you are unemployable for any of the decent jobs there. With the qualifications and experience that you mentioned, a candidate would certainly be considered employable by many/all of the bottom-feeders there.

Regards,
John

[Trinley]

Nevermind. None of these replies attempt to answer the questions I have asked. You can only tell me about jobs that I can't get, which you find to be decent in your opinion. None of these replies give me any useful information on the jobs that I can get besides opining that these jobs are indecent. This is not information. I do thank you for your time nonetheless.

[spiral78]

You mentioned a need to earn about 60,000 USD over and above living expenses, presumably over a two or three year period. The bottom feeder jobs you qualify for don't pay enough to put any dent in this.

I suggest you might turn your attention to Korea. They seem to pay relatively well and be less demanding regarding qualifications there.

[helenl]

I don't understand what you don't understand.
You aren't qualified for the jobs you seek.
You won't be employable legally for the jobs you can get.

Ergo, look elsewhere other than the GCC marketplace.

From the posts, it seems that if the question is asked often enough, the answer sought will materialize. Sorry you don't qualify for a position that you are looking for.

[Sheikh N Bake]

Good God, some of these newbie knuckleheads drive us crazy. If five or six veterans of the Gulf tell you to forget it, try LISTENING instead of lecturing us.

As a friend of mine here said, in the UK they call them "wankers."

[johnslat]

Well, if she finally gets the message (if not the "information",) the Middle East will have dodged a bullet.

Regards,
John

[veiledsentiments]

Actually she landed over on the Saudi board expecting different answers... when most of you that answered her here are regular posters to the Saudi branch.

VS

[huh?]

Try Saudi and Oman - Saudi is less desirable than most other ME jobs and Oman tends to pay less, so there is less competition. You might be able to get something- but probably in the $25,000 to $35,000 range - tax free. Other than that, you won't get a job at a university. When something is called a college in the ME, it is usually along the lines of a junior college or training school.

Your best bet might be Istanbul or possibly Ankara. Your job there would not pay particularly well, but it is possible to make lots of money giving private tuition if you are well-organzied, a good private tutor, personable and a bit lucky.