Comments on: I Got an M.F.A And Now I Teach English in the Middle East

By: Splendorofmorgan

Splendorofmorgan — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:05:12 +0000

@BananaPeel No ethical dilemma there. Resumes should be edited to cater to the job posting; withholding information that isn’t relevant to the job isn’t lying, and can get you a foot in the door.

By: novembertea

novembertea — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:44:32 +0000

I am utterly fascinated by the prospect of picking up and moving to another country to teach English. I gobble up testimonies and articles on the subject. However, does this mean that I should do it? I have no idea. The truth is that while it would be very enriching and no doubt character-building, it wouldn’t do much at all to advance my career by way of actual experience (I’m looking to get an MFA in Voice Performance OR Vocal Pedagogy and eventually teach voice at the university level.) I honestly don’t think I could pick up and move to another country for a year or two. I’m not that badass… I’d be so lonely!!

By: novembertea

novembertea — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:39:31 +0000

@chic noir They get paid very well. See above comments. This is a trend throughout virtually the entire Middle East. You can also find well-paid teaching gigs in Asia, though the M.E. seems to be where the most money can be made these days.

By: chic noir

chic noir — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:24:19 +0000

This was incredibly well written. I would really like to read more from the author. I’d also like to know just how much the average salary is for ESL teachers in Qutar.

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:57:27 +0000

I have a Phd in fiction writing and a novel published by a major publisher — there weren’t any jobs 13 years ago when I finished grad school (and it’s been so long between books that I couldn’t get one now if I tried), so I got a straight job in high tech. Of course, there were jobs then, but I’ve been laid off and rehired a couple of times now. I don’t know — I was never one of those people who only ever wanted to stay in academia, so its been fine for me. But yeah, it was a lot of money to borrow to write a novel that made about half of what I’d borrowed. And now? With so many programs? I’d probably discourage anyone I loved from doing it unless they got a huge free ride.

By: Georgex

Georgex — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:58:15 +0000

By: salutin'

salutin' — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 02:43:29 +0000

Love a follow-up article on what it’s like teaching in the Middle East! It sounds fascinating.

By: Green Tea Ghost Story

Green Tea Ghost Story — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:52:28 +0000

Echoing everyone else to say, please write the next part, about your actual experience teaching in Qatar! :)

By: j-i-a

j-i-a — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 20:53:53 +0000

This isn’t a comment on this essay in particular, but I must say, just in general: if I’ve learned anything over the past nine months it’s that the MFA definition of “hustle” seems to be different (let’s say, less intense) than any definition I have ever seen in the past. But also it’s crazy the teaching loads that some programs will give you for a $9,000 stipend, etc. HELL to the no to that sort of labor abuse

By: MilesofMountains

MilesofMountains — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 20:50:28 +0000

@BananaPeel I don’t see an ethical problem with it. It’s pretty standard to leave off positions/certifications/whatever that don’t have anything to do with the position you’re applying for. But yeah, unless you were working during that time you may have to explain the time gap.