ElsieAnas

Hello
I'm a 48 year old British female with only a part OU degree in English plus TESOL, 2 years in class and 4 years private in Portugal experience. I only want a 6 month contract in UAE ? Do I have a hope in Valhalla given lack of degree? Did search but no joy.

auzdafluff

I think a degree is a must, unfortunately.

scot47

Graduates only unless you want to do something with Berlitz or the like. Not sure that you will get a work permit with no degree.

ElsieAnas

Many thanks for your replies. This saves me a lot of footwork . Just checked out Berlitz web site and looks possible but anyone have any idea of likely salary?

Beakersful

I think this is covering Berlitz ESL jobs:

http://www.eslemployment.com/uae-pos...s-35206593.htm

Not sure about the 5 years experience part, but they are asking for a minimum BA (assume English language/Linguistics, or Education)

There are contact details, you could follow the breadcrumbs.

ElsieAnas

Hmm well I think that's me out but many thanks for your time and help.

Kix

i don't have a degree and worked a lot in UAE, for me experience was the key.

Wasn't in education mind you, why dont you ask the question?

ElsieAnas

thank you Kix but if these guys don't think I can even get a work permit? And education is their field. It's also got to be financially viable. Can't do pie in sky

Beakersful

If you look on DavesESLCafe you'll see the requirements for the Gulf are a lot higher than a lot of places. You may want to look at earning money elsewhere and finishing that OU degree if you wish to enter the Gulf at some point, which may or may not be accepted by employers (online degrees aren't, but I'm not sure where OU sits)

Also, teacher requirements are going up many places, so you have to protect the next 18 years or so of your working life before retirement (and may still work past then). Since the work is likely to go downhill from 2020 onwards and we'll not be needed by 2050, we need to plan carefully. Backpack teaching, in whatever form, is something fro the young 'uns to take risks on, or those looking for work to tide themselves over in times of recession.

ElsieAnas

Yep I'm beginning to get the picture. I fall into the latter category, having a small holding and husband in Portugal to maintain - you can guess how my teaching has fared there! All useful stuff so thankyou so much.

mikewot

OU is not an online degree but a 'real' one :-) If I were an employer I would weigh an OU degree higher than a 'normal' one because earning an OU degree is much more onerous as an adult than when you're a loafing about thumb up bum getting pissed and drugged up every night student.

ElsieAnas

Ah - will be careful where I put my thumb whilst studying from now on. OU asks you quote BA (OU) when declaring your degree, so morally you may be right, but professionally it could be otherwise? Moot point as I don't have it.

mikewot

In my experience employers do understand how much more difficult and how much more effort is required when doing OU and running a home & bringing home a wage. IMHO it's a badge of honour. But I might be a little prejudiced as I did OU and was an OUSA rep.

Beakersful

She has said she has not completed her degree. All guesswork as to acceptance of said degree by employers is a conversation for the future.

BritGeek

Very true Mike (I am also an OU graduate) BUT you are forgetting that in this part of the world, unless your HR happens to be British they won't know what the OU is