What are my options?

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gravatar-icon Posted on · by Gul U.

Help please,

I have recently become obsessed with trying to find a job in the Middle East or United Arab Emirates. I have spent 2 years in banking industry, 2 years in the police service and past few months with the Ministry of Justice.

Qualifications, I have BA Criminology, Level 1 in Sports Leadership, Level 1 in British Weight Lifting and TEFL qualification. The more I research the harder it's getting, I see I need a relevant degree to what I teach. Professional teaching qualifications such as PGCE, QTS and other such qualifications.

NO TEACHING EXPERIENCE- other than taking some classes in sports coaching and being assistance with police cadets.

Options I could take are; MA in English and then PGCE, A - levels maths and PGCE. Or just go straight into PGCE primary. Those are the only options I am aware of. I need support and guidance exploring more options and discussing them.

Questions I have are;
1. Are the above good options to consider?
2. What else can you recommend?
3. Is there a high level of possibility of UAE or Middle East getting more strict by the time I have completed these qualifications?
4. Am I chasing a dream, each time I get close to it. It gets further away?

Mind is running with options and questions.

Any help, support or guidance will be deeply appreciated.

Thanks in anticipation of you're response.

2 Comments

  1. gravatar-icon
    Tina S.
    April 14, 2017 at 1.44 pm

    Sorry to hear this Gul. It does get disheartening to believe you have a chance at something and then it be snatched away beyond your control. You more than likely will need at least 2 years teaching in the subject most related to your degree in order to acquire a teaching job in the UAE. I've been teaching middle grades math for 10 years and even received a job offer, only to be told by the Ministry of Education that I don't have the qualifications. So I understand how you feel at the moment, you could try for a different country where the stipulations aren't as strict. The UAE is missing out on some awesome teachers due to their degree requirement being focused on the subject they teach or having to be in education only.

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    Shirin S.moderator
    April 28, 2017 at 7.26 pm

    Gul;

    Teaching abroad is perhaps one of the best decisions you will ever make in your life! so understandably you also have a lot of questions about it.

    I would recommend you to start by reading this blog post: https://www.teachaway.com/2016/06/16/what-qualifications-do-i-need-teach-english-abroadv, with this you can determine the necessary qualifications to teach abroad!

    This brings us to UAE, UAE has been one of the most popular destinations for teachers to seek employment for, so naturally, competition is high and you will receive this from those who have 5+ years of experience. This is not to discourage you from applying for positions in the region but more to set expectations and continuously work towards adding to your qualifications and experience. In the meantime I also recommend you to keep an open mind and apply to position in other regions where it might be of interest

    I hope this helps and good luck with your search
    best,
    Shirin