Job Discussion Forums

[scottishbob]

Hi there everyone.

I've been reading through the posts here on Saudi Arabia and other teaching destinations and have picked up tons of good info.
Despite that I have a question about my own work experience that perhaps could be answered here.

Background.
I'm Scottish, have a certificate in Nursery Nursing (issued in Scotland after a 2 year practical placement course) and I've worked in several private nurseries in Budapest,Hungary.
In Budapest I was a Berlitz teacher trainer for 3 Berlitz schools,responsible for training and retraining about 30 full time teachers, and taught for Berlitz for many years. As a private teacher (teaching upwards of 30 students in some cases in international firms)I have many references from CEO's of international firms regarding my skill set.
(sorry for the length of this info here)

This June I'll do a CELTA course in Belgrade and then begin to float out there my resum� (focus will be on KSA) directly to the private sector and recommended universities.

So.....is all my teaching experience(now 21 years of it) seen as of little value pre- CELTA?

Thank you for any light you can shine on this.

[nomad soul]

Unfortunately, the fact that you taught for Berlitz is the biggest strike against you; the Berlitz method is not viewed as credible teaching experience. (Do a search on this site for Berlitz Middle East for posts.) You may not get credit for your private teaching experience either, despite having good references. You also didn't mention if you have a TEFL-related bachelors degree (or any BA degree); it's the minimum requirement for many Saudi TEFL jobs, in addition to a few years of teaching experience post-CELTA/equivalent TEFL cert.

Perhaps others on this forum will have a different opinion. In the meantime, check out some TEFL job ads posted for KSA on various Internet employment sites by typing in jobs English Saudi to get an idea of the requirements various employers are looking for. If anything, you may easily get a teaching spot with Berlitz here in the Kingdom, but it certainly isn't recommended.

[scottishbob]

[veiledsentiments]

Supposedly the rule in Saudi is that you must have some first degree. People have got around it, but they are exception. I would assume that the Gulf will not be a possibility for you.

VS