Job Discussion Forums

[15yearsinQ8]

as a russian/cis lady you will not be granted a visit visa - how is it that you were to planning on coming 'to look' for work?
and let me state again you will not find teaching work that will allow independent living of any livable standard until october

[Starfell]

I wasn't trying to be nasty VS, simply realistic. As an employer I wouldn't give this lady a job teaching English at my school, would you? Why give her false hope?

As for my English, as a holder of a first in English Language and Literature, it is as damned near perfect as needs be, to teach.

Now, Argi- 15 Years is right. You will not get a visit visa as a single, Russian lady traveling to Kuwait. You need to write to schools and apply through the standard procedures. I would imagine that some of the lower tier schools such as Cambridge, A'takamul, KNES and several of the Kindergartens might offer you a position teaching KG- Yr2. These schools will still be advertising well up to September. Try the TES website tes.co.uk

[Argiopa]

[Argiopa]

[Starfell]

Argi- when you arrive in Kuwait go directly to the schools and bring photocopies of your degree,passport.

Be warned tho', as a 'dependent' (housewife) you are also forbidden by law to work, so some schools may choose to break the law and employ you and others will simply refuse.

[Argiopa]

[Starfell]

I'm very noble- and forthright, and I stick by what I say, avoid teaching English to anything higher than grade 2.

[usa_in_gulf]

Dear Argiopa,

I will guess that you will be coming to Kuwait on a Visit Visa supplied by your husband. Try to find a position as soon as possible so that your employer can do your "iquama" (work permit) for you--this is better than having your husband put you under his sponsorship. There are people who would hire you -- and have your work while on your husband's sponsorship--in fact, quite a few-- but better for you in the long run to be on your employer's sponsorship.

Most preschools/nurseries have already finished their hiring-- as mentioned-- most of these places hire wives-- and a lot work illegally on under their husband's sponsorship. These positions usually offer no benefits and low salary. But on the other hand, its short hours and not too stressful work.

As mentioned, you will have better luck looking at the KG departments at different schools. Normally, the "top" schools will only hire native speakers -- but trust me, there are so many schools that are not "top" schools! This does not necessarily mean that they are bad employers-- just not as expensive as the top schools. There are dozens of schools in Kuwait... keep a positive and open mind. You will find something. I know that the Future Bilingual School in Fahaheel has a number of Russian teachers on staff-- both in the KG and PE departments.

But please note that KG positions still do not normally offer full benefits or the top salaries. Again, you will find a large number of wives holding these positions.

Another position you may look into is a Teaching Assistant position. Most schools have Teaching Assistants from KG to G2 or G3.

If you have a working knowledge of Arabic, this is a huge plus for you in both the KG area and Teaching Assistant area. Most teachers--even those who spend years in the Gulf-- have no knowledge of the language.. so play that point up!

Good luck!
(And please ignore the rude people on this forum---if they want to correct people's English---let them start with their own first!!)

[Argiopa]

[Starfell]

It may not have any value. I know of a Russian lady with a degree in law who is getting 250KD for teaching KG in a school in Hawalli.

[bje]

[Starfell]

No, not a dig Bje, just how awful that a woman, and a really nice one at that, with a degree in Law should be paid such a pittance , don't you think?
The thing that got me was she was sitting with a degree and earning 250KD a month and further up the school there were, apparently people without even a fake degree earning four times her salary.It's pathetic.

[veiledsentiments]

Of course, her problem was also the fact that there is little market for any expat with a law degree in the Gulf. Perhaps if the country of the degree had a multi-national company there, they may hire a practicing lawyer from back home to keep them in compliance. That limits one's options to a minuscule number of job openings. It certainly provides her with no credentials for teaching.

It is the same with refugees or immigrants who arrive in the US... medical doctors (or lawyers) who have all the education and had practiced in their own countries... end up flipping burgers at McDs.

VS

[grab-bag]

It's not impossible for wives to work. You can get a permit from the government, ministry of labor. My wife found a job.

[Starfell]

Update?? Any luck Argi?