|
When the time came for me to travel abroad to teach English, there was never any doubt that the Middle-East was where I wanted to be. I harbored an intense fascination for the region, not only because of the amazing archeological sites, but also for the always conflicting geo-political climate. This was a place I had to explore.
Syria was, and remains to this day, one of the most amazing countries in the Middle-East. Any doubt or concern I had about being an American in Syria quickly dissolved once I realized that the Syrian people could actually be the friendliest people I had ever met. In addition, the untouched archeological sites of Palmyra and the crusader castle of the Krack des Chevaliers were a further indication that I had made the correct choice in wanting to live and work here.
All Universities in Syria require that an English teacher be a native speaker and have at least an undergraduate degree from an accredited University. This is in addition to your TESOL, CELTA, or DELTA teaching certificate. Teachers with MA’s will find it easier to obtain a job, however MA’s are usually not required in Syria.
Teaching experience, specifically in the Middle-East, goes a long way in terms of securing a teaching position and in many cases. However, first-time English teachers looking for their first teaching experience abroad, might want to consider Syria and the Middle East, as jobs are plentiful and there is a certain unfounded fear of living and working in the region.
I was hired by a Canadian company that was responsible for the staffing of the English Department at the University. They were also responsible for securing my work visa and any additional documents that were needed to work in Syria. International health insurance is also usually covered by your employer. It is important that you choose the best employer to work for when teaching abroad. I found that the more an employer can do for you, the better experience you will have moving to a foreign country. This allowed me to focus on moving, settling in, and teaching.
I taught at Wadi Syrian University, one of the first non-Government run Universities to open in Syria. The University was located approximately 3 hours north of the capital of Damascus, along the northern border of Lebanon. It is an amazingly beautiful area of Syria. The University was set in a fertile green valley with rolling hills and breathtaking views. I also was surprised that in this area, we had snow in the winter, thunderstorms in Spring, and hot summers.
The University was only in its second year of operation at the time, so the total enrollment at the college numbered about 1,000 students. Within 2 years however, the enrollment expanded to 1800 students. All students were required to graduate through the English Foundation program before moving onto their desired core classes. The English Department staff numbered 12 teachers, all with diverse teaching backgrounds and nationalities.
Salaries in general in the Middle-East are slightly higher than other regions. In Syria, expect a monthly salary during your first year of teaching to be somewhere between 2100-2500USD per month. Housing was also included, so the cost of my apartment was already taken care of. Syria is a very inexpensive place to live.
I found that I could travel on the weekends and do everything I wanted, and still save about $1,200USD per month. The best part about was that my salary was tax free! I still needed to find my own transportation to and from the University, but this was not an issue as taxis in the area were abundant and cheap, and my students wouldn’t even think twice about offering me a ride!
Housing was included in my offer. Once I arrived, the teaching staff was shown many apartments in the area, and we were able to choose the one we preferred. Housing in general in the Middle East is quite good. The flats and apartments have most of the common conveniences, and you will find that in many cases, they are much bigger than what you will need. I had a spacious 2/bedroom, 2/bath flat, with washer, hot water, electricity, and cable all included. It was more than enough for one person.
I was even close enough to walk to the local center of town where I was able to do my shopping, dry cleaning, and use the post office. The best part was being able to wake up in the morning to the sound of the Morning Prayer call from the local mosque. Much better than my alarm clock! Transportation is also important and should be taken into consideration when choosing housing. Will you be able to walk to work? Or will you need to rent a car or get a taxi?
Teaching hours vary throughout the region. At my University, in-class teaching hours were 22-24 hours per week. In addition, we were required to teach 2 additional hours of oral communication classes. Teachers were also responsible for lesson planning, test preparation, and student counseling. Combine all these elements and you will find that by the end of the week, it is quite normal to have put in the standard 30-35 hours. In general, expect no more than 35 hours per week, depending on the style and curriculum of the school.
Finally, if you are thinking of teaching in the Middle East, I highly recommend that you consider Syria. You will be rewarded with a cultural experience that you will not find anywhere else!
Syrian must-do's:
-
Visit the expansive maze of alleys and shops in the souks of Damascus and Aleppo.
-
Take to the beach in Lattakia, Syria’s only Mediterranean resort city.
-
Explore the archeological ruins of Palmyra. The fallen empire of Queen Zenobia, the Cleopatra of this Region
-
Say YES to an invitation for dinner from a local Syrian family.
-
View the wonder of the Omayyad Mosque in Damascus.
-
Hike to the top of the Krac des Chevaliers, the preserved Crusaders Castle. |
PHOTO
From 26 People
