Job Discussion Forums

giovanni · Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Posts: 41 Location: Texas USA

I am a 26 year old single woman and I'm interested in spending a year teaching ESL in Saudi Arabia

I have taught ESL in a US public school for over 2 years. Before that I taught ESL at a private language school. I am certified to teach English, ESL, and biology in my state. I have a master's in TESL/Bilingual Ed.

I have traveled extensively overseas and spent months abroad

My goal: I want to save money. I'm thinking about settling down and getting married soon. With my current job as a teacher in the US I try to live simply but it's still a struggle with $$ and freedom. I figure one year nose to the grindstone and some prudent investments will pay off in the years to come.

concerns: what do you do all day? Are there other single women in their 20s I can hang with? Is there a great gym? Yoga classes? Can I use Skype to talk to my boyfriend? Should I plan on bringing software and learning some skills in my free time?

My current contract with my school is up Jan 2013 and I'd be ready to leave ASAP. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

If you're looking to save money and to socialize/go out to gyms, seriously consider the UAE instead. Try teachaway.com for teaching jobs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They also specialize in placing teachers in international schools.

jargonscott · Joined: 19 Sep 2011 Posts: 47

agreed

johnslat · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 6:17 pm Post subject:

Dear nomad soul,

Good advice, I'd say.

Regards,
John

geceler · Joined: 02 Sep 2012 Posts: 8

Im a single female in my 20s also and I'm in the process of getting my visa right now. Yes you will be able to skype with your bf. If you want to go there in January you need to start applying for jobs right now.

giovanni · Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Posts: 41 Location: Texas USA

I've applied with Teach Away and I'm considering that and international schools but it seems like so much more work. Teach Away is a two year contract and I'd have to travel and spend a couple hundred dollars just to interview with them. In the UAE I'd have to buy a car, and honestly I'm not super stoked to be doing English/Language Arts for ELLs that's what I've been doing the last couple of years. ESL is so much easier.

Are there straight high paying ESL jobs in the UAE?

jargonscott · Joined: 19 Sep 2011 Posts: 47

I'm not sure about the rest of the UAE, but I got along fine in Dubai without a car. Their clean and efficient public transportation was greatly appreciated after living/working in KSA. I've seen a lot of jobs advertised in the UAE (direct hires and through contractors) and many of them paid as well or better than your standard KSA gigs. Maybe it's subjective, but I feel like life was way more enjoyable in the UAE. I would never recommend any of my friends (especially female ones) go to KSA when similar salaries (with an easier lifestyle) are offered in the UAE.

giovanni · Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Posts: 41 Location: Texas USA

Thank you for the reply. What is the best way to go for a direct hire in the UAE?

Does anyone have any experience with working at an international school in the UAE or KSA? I've taught some English for struggling students but mostly English for ELLs. I don't really WANT to teach "regular" English. I'm also worried about the work load.

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

One year will not get you much in savings. I would say try for two.

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

You are not likely to get a year January to January. Your employer might promise you your summer salary after you return from summer holidays. Then they will want you to stay a year, probably, and only pay those summer months again, if you come back after summer break.

giovanni · Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Posts: 41 Location: Texas USA

Good advice thanks. Getting away in January would be nice but if it doesn't happen oh well.

My savings with one year in KSA will be far more than my savings as a public school teacher here! I don't understand how people can support a family on this, I struggle to support myself.

lcanupp1964 · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 381

I also think that the U.A.E. would be better for your situation. You would be hired very quickly at many private schools in Dubai. I was hired as a Language Arts teacher at a private school. I taught grades 5-8 and I worked my butt off! I would have preferred to work as an ESL teacher. You are 100% right about ESL being much easier. With the extra hours I worked at the private school, I would have made about 25-30% more (in an hours per day ratio) and would have had more time to relax. If you do go to Dubai, make sure the school/university does not place you in housing located in Sharjah. It�s a lot cheaper, but it will take you about five times longer to get to work and back. I prefer Abu Dhabi myself.

SK2012 · Joined: 10 Mar 2012 Posts: 15

I am a single female waiting for my visa so I can begin my job at the University of Tabuk, KSA. they are hiring and you can find a posting for jobs at http://www.tesol.org. Aside from the frustration of being a Canadian applying for a Saudi visa (it's a bit of a political tit-for-tat re: delaying visa applications) I've had only positive experiences so far with the university. My contact at the U of T has been available to answer any questions, etc and has been honest about the challenges. Also, the salary and benefits are very good.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Many people still think that a short spell in the ME will enable them to wave the magic wand and enter into Shangri La. A year or two in the ME is NOT going to allow you to save enough money to change things in your life.