In reference to a previous post and psyguy's advice, I decided to apply for QTS certification just to see what would happen and today I received approval and have the certificate. I was surprised to see that it is not age or subject specific. Many schools ask for certification in the subject and grade level, so I don't know how useful this would be or what you are supposed to say when they ask you if you are certified in your subject/grade level. Do most British schools just look for the QTS cert. and then look at course study and work experience? Just curious.

I am really not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but I would advise against opening a hostel in Barranquilla. I lived there for two years and in that time saw many businesses close within the same month that they opened. It is not a well-travelled city for tourism and most people skip it when travelling between Parque Tayrona and Cartagena. Actually, when I tell people I lived in Barranquilla, they usually say this "ohhhh, we travelled through there from Cartagena to Tayrona, but it didn't seem worth stopping." For the most part, they are 100% correct. Carnival is a lot of fun, but that's only once a year. You said you had a hostel in Medellin, which you should know has a way better print on the tourist path. Most people who actually visit Barranquilla on purpose are there for carnival, for business, or stay with friends who live there.

@everybody

In two of my previous interviews, the admins specifically commented on my prior experience because it was management level. If you were bagging groceries at Wal-Mart to get through University, of course they're not going to care.

There are some Middle Eastern countries that won't recognise online degrees, either. I don't know if that is going to be a trend for the future. I doubt it.

@wrldtrvler

You mean, none of you had a career before teaching, or were really involved in your practical experiences, or got involved in your first year teaching, or have a Masters degree... read the whole post please. If you haven't, then most international teaching is more of a joke than anything.

Maybe you need to look at the non-classroom portion of your resume. Have you been involved in any form of school extra-curricular activities in your career, pioneered a new programme at a school, took initiative in curriculum development role?. Or, what was your career before teaching? Did you show drive and upward mobility by taking on management roles? Do you have a Masters Degree (maybe you already said that)?

The 30 year old teacher with one year experience may have all of these things and admins want THESE type of people in their schools so she would get whatever position she wants...probably because they see on paper and through references that she will succeed no matter what.

Geez...someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed, or is drunk posting.

Any IB certifications, CTFEL, CELTA, TESOL....

Does she have to go to Kuwait? I am sure she pondered this, but there are at least 195 other countries in the world.

@Psyguy

Yes, but if you already have a Masters and 4 years experience, it's the best option out there to maintain certification...forever without having to jump through hoops every few years. Although, I lost one of my certifications because it didn't match in Missouri.

If you're just talking about renewal, I used Missouri a few years back because their license is valid for 99 years from the date of issue. YES, 99 YEARS, with no PD requirement. This saves a lot of time and money. I don't know if it is still the same today, but you may want to look into it. All I had to do was submit proof of 4 years of teaching employment, transcripts, and copies of my not yet expired teaching certifications, and maybe a background check.

Excellent! Thanks for the first hand knowledge, folks. As I am trying to convince (I believe I have) my wife into a possible move to the ME, one of her contingencies is beach time. Can't blame her.

Marhaba!

I am wondering if any of the teachers in the Middle East can elaborate on the beach situation. Often, I see that the draw to go so some of the Gulf States, etc., is that they have immaculate beaches. I read this in the reviews of the schools in these locations and on the varying recruiting sites. However, when I google these absolutely beautiful beaches, one thing is clear. There are hardly any pictures with more than two or three people at the beach, and if so, they may even be fully clothed. So, my questions is, why? Yes, I am exaggerating, but are people, including westerners, afraid to go to the beach.

Obviously, the conservatism of the region, hot hot hot summer temperatures, etc., do not lend the Middle East to be a beach goers paradise, but then why do people talk about them so much?

Somebody please prove me wrong.

Prep means any class you have to prepare for, so if you are teaching 7th and 8th grade social studies, you have two preps. Prep period means you have the hour free to plan for your preps. I would consider anything more than two preps stressful. I have had as many as six.

There are hundreds of jobs on TES and Search, you'll land something. Something must be up with your CV or Search account. It may be best just to apply personally to the schools, though you have probably done that already.