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cloud9
Joined: 05 Aug 2010
Posts: 11
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 Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 4:54 pm Post subject: Getting experience? |
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Hey everyone,
I have a US passport and am currently in the states and in a post baccalaureate teacher certification program in PK - 6. I also have a tefl certificate I completed online, but I'm not really sure how useful that is. I have a BA in English from an American university.
I only have like two experiences working with children, both around 3 months long. My parents' origins are middle eastern and I want to work in the middle east eventually. I speak/write/read Arabic pretty well as well.
The problem is that my state legitimately has like 10 positions open right now, and most of them are for experienced teachers. It's really hard to get experience from here. I was wondering if there were any places that were more open to newly qualified teachers...even if not in the Middle East.
Thanks a bunch in advance.
Also I am open to getting a CELTA and working from there if that will help. I'd prefer to work with children but ultimately I'll do what I have to. |
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littlelauren86
Joined: 20 Sep 2011
Posts: 94
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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| When you finish your cert. program, you will be able to find work in the middle east VERY easily. So getting experience will be no problem for you. The pay will be good as well. It's easy because for teachers, it's the least "desirable" region (no offense). |
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cloud9
Joined: 05 Aug 2010
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Hey littlelauren86, thanks for the reply, no offense taken, lol. How do you know where to look and apply though for places that will take newly qualified teachers? When I look at job websites online (e.g. teach away, teach anywhere), 2 years of experience is always listed. |
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littlelauren86
Joined: 20 Sep 2011
Posts: 94
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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Some positions for certified teachers are even posted here on Dave's, so check out the job board.
Another website is TIE online (I think) but they're always posting positions in the Middle East.
You can also attend a job fair with Search Associates. So basically, you're just looking in the wrong places.
You also can't loose by posting your resume on here, noting that you'll be certified and you want to go to the ME. Also when do you finish? In general recruiting season is in between Nov. and March for the following school year.
Best of luck! |
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cloud9
Joined: 05 Aug 2010
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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I finish Mar/Apr 2013, so a while from now. I hadn't even heard of those places before, thank you so much for listing them. I will do all that you suggested. If you know any more places, definitely let me know. Thanks for all your help  |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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| littlelauren86 wrote: |
| When you finish your cert. program, you will be able to find work in the middle east VERY easily. So getting experience will be no problem for you. The pay will be good as well. It's easy because for teachers, it's the least "desirable" region (no offense). |
Not exactly. Although a challenging region for some expats to live in, the Mid East is particularly appealing for the high, tax-free salaries offered. However, be aware that many entry-level ME TEFL jobs require a minimum of a BA, a CELTA/equivalent TEFL cert, and several years of experience; while some accept nothing less than an MA. K-12 international schools in the region expect at least 2 years of experience along with the appropriate teaching qualification/certificate.
You might post on the Egypt jobs discussion forum about going there for potential teaching jobs. You'd need to determine if you can deal with the country's current political instability. |
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cloud9
Joined: 05 Aug 2010
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul, would experience teaching children at ESL language centers count? Would Asia experience count? I see more advertisements for elementary schools there w/o requiring a lot of experience. Also, in general, would you say it's easier to land an elementary school job if I had a CELTA? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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| littlelauren86 wrote: |
You can also attend a job fair with Search Associates. So basically, you're just looking in the wrong places.
You also can't loose by posting your resume on here, noting that you'll be certified and you want to go to the ME. Also when do you finish? In general recruiting season is in between Nov. and March for the following school year.
Best of luck! |
From the Search Associates' FAQ page (http://www.searchassociates.com/Candidates/FAQs.aspx#):
Is there a fee to become a Search candidate?
We require a modest database user fee/registration fee of $200.00 (exception U.K office). Search Associate candidates appreciate the low fees compared to what other organizations charge especially as this fee will be applied for three years (or until such time as you accept an offer whether through Search Associates or other means, whichever comes first), The registration fee ALSO includes attendance at one of our job fairs. Many other companies will charge you a "registration" fee but also charge you extra to attend any of their job fairs. Many of our candidates have told us the fee is small in comparison to the comprehensive list of benefits a candidates has access to once they are activated.
Seriously? Save your money and do your job-searching yourself by putting "fingers to keys." The Internet is a wealth of information. Plus, many of us got our first jobs without resorting to paying recruiter fees. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:30 pm Post subject: |
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| cloud9 wrote: |
| nomad soul, would experience teaching children at ESL language centers count? Would Asia experience count? I see more advertisements for elementary schools there w/o requiring a lot of experience. Also, in general, would you say it's easier to land an elementary school job if I had a CELTA? |
Your lack of measurable experience is a hindrance in the ME. However, you might be minimally qualified for teaching gigs in international k-12 schools or even adult schools in Asia, which would help you gain experience. Consider posting your specific questions on the general Asia forum. Maybe even look at Latin America. You're going to have to be flexible as to where you can go---which teaching situations match your qualifications. |
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cloud9
Joined: 05 Aug 2010
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| littlelauren86 wrote: |
You can also attend a job fair with Search Associates. So basically, you're just looking in the wrong places.
You also can't loose by posting your resume on here, noting that you'll be certified and you want to go to the ME. Also when do you finish? In general recruiting season is in between Nov. and March for the following school year.
Best of luck! |
From the Search Associates' FAQ page (http://www.searchassociates.com/Candidates/FAQs.aspx#):
Is there a fee to become a Search candidate?
We require a modest database user fee/registration fee of $200.00 (exception U.K office). Search Associate candidates appreciate the low fees compared to what other organizations charge especially as this fee will be applied for three years (or until such time as you accept an offer whether through Search Associates or other means, whichever comes first), The registration fee ALSO includes attendance at one of our job fairs. Many other companies will charge you a "registration" fee but also charge you extra to attend any of their job fairs. Many of our candidates have told us the fee is small in comparison to the comprehensive list of benefits a candidates has access to once they are activated.
Seriously? Save your money and do your job-searching yourself by putting "fingers to keys." The Internet is a wealth of information. Plus, many of us got our first jobs without resorting to paying recruiter fees. |
Thanks for pointing that out. I briefly glanced at the site but I read that many of the teachers need 2 years experience so I decided to check it out another time.
I don't mind really where I go, I am not picky at all, I just don't want to sign up for a place where experience from it would be dismissed later. I am not sure if they require country of origin experience? I might consider trying other states here before I leave, but it's hard and expensive to interview far out of state. I'll check out the other sub-forums here as well and see if I can find some answers. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:57 pm Post subject: Re: Getting experience? |
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| cloud9 wrote: |
| The problem is that my state legitimately has like 10 positions open right now, and most of them are for experienced teachers. It's really hard to get experience from here. |
What about moving to another state? It's certainly easier than moving abroad. |
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littlelauren86
Joined: 20 Sep 2011
Posts: 94
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 3:57 am Post subject: |
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The level of "desirability" depends on the individual of course, however I was speaking in generalities and if you asked teachers about their ideal work location they would probably list western Europe (the most competitive region with France and Italy as top choices) as their top region. On the other end of the scale would be the middle east, which is much more challenging to live in especially as a women. It pays well for a reason 
OP -- you can get a job right away in the middle east provided that you apply at the right time. Many first year teachers go there because they have trouble getting hired elsewhere. Then you have other people like me, who are far more interested in a particular location. I'd rather go somewhere else and work my way up rather then stay some where that would make me miserable. When I get to my own computer I can link you to a key thread or two on a forum on international schools (I asked this same question awhile ago).
Last edited by littlelauren86 on Tue Jan 31, 2012 4:08 am; edited 1 time in total |
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littlelauren86
Joined: 20 Sep 2011
Posts: 94
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 4:05 am Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| littlelauren86 wrote: |
You can also attend a job fair with Search Associates. So basically, you're just looking in the wrong places.
You also can't loose by posting your resume on here, noting that you'll be certified and you want to go to the ME. Also when do you finish? In general recruiting season is in between Nov. and March for the following school year.
Best of luck! |
From the Search Associates' FAQ page (http://www.searchassociates.com/Candidates/FAQs.aspx#):
Is there a fee to become a Search candidate?
We require a modest database user fee/registration fee of $200.00 (exception U.K office). Search Associate candidates appreciate the low fees compared to what other organizations charge especially as this fee will be applied for three years (or until such time as you accept an offer whether through Search Associates or other means, whichever comes first), The registration fee ALSO includes attendance at one of our job fairs. Many other companies will charge you a "registration" fee but also charge you extra to attend any of their job fairs. Many of our candidates have told us the fee is small in comparison to the comprehensive list of benefits a candidates has access to once they are activated.
Seriously? Save your money and do your job-searching yourself by putting "fingers to keys." The Internet is a wealth of information. Plus, many of us got our first jobs without resorting to paying recruiter fees. |
I agree with this, though a wealth of the top schools will not even look at you if you don't attend a fair. But that's irrelevant at this stage since they won't be looking at you anyway (not enough experience). I don't remember the fee, but TIE doesn't cost nearly as much. That website just pretty much most the middle east postings. And then just look up schools on the interwebs. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:05 am Post subject: |
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| if you asked teachers about their ideal work location they would probably list western Europe (the most competitive region with France and Italy as top choices) as their top region. |
Not really. Pay in these countries is very much subsistence level or little better, and this (important) factor most likely knocks such countries off the 'top region' list for many teachers. Not to mention the fact that non-EU member citizen teachers basically can't work legally in Western Europe.
Most teachers will prefer to work somewhere they can earn enough money to get ahead, and to work legally, obviously.
Last edited by spiral78 on Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:09 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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littlelauren86
Joined: 20 Sep 2011
Posts: 94
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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| spiral78 wrote: |
if you asked teachers about their ideal work location they would probably list western Europe (the most competitive region with France and Italy as top choices) as their top region.
Not really. Pay in these countries is very much subsistence level or little better, and this (important) factor most likely knocks such countries off the 'top region' list for many teachers. Not to mention the fact that non-EU member citizen teachers basically can't work legally in Western Europe.
Most teachers will prefer to work somewhere they can earn enough money to get ahead, and to work legally, obviously. |
I apologize for not being clear -- I was speaking about international schools specifically, where the visa is possible and Western Europe is very competitive as a region.
OP -- I'll send you a PM with links. |
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