Job Discussion Forums

paysheet · Joined: 18 Aug 2009 Posts: 6

Has anyone had any experience of working with this company? Positive or negative?

I have a job offer working with them teaching English at the MOD. After reading previous comments about the previous contractor there and indeed the MOD am somewhat reluctant to accept.

Any information would be useful such as what accommodation is like, what there is outside of work to do (is the accommodation on a compound for instance and does it have a gym/common room). The information I have been able to get off the company itself has been limited.

Many thanks for your help and time.

may-rabin · Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:32 am Post subject:

This company has just taken over the contract from the previous agency. Generally I had a good experience though many people were unhappy. You choose and pay for your own accommodation from your allowance.

Do you have a contact e-mail address for them. When do they anticipate starting?

paysheet · Joined: 18 Aug 2009 Posts: 6

So you worked as an English Language Teacher at the MOD?
How long ago was this and how was your experience.
What were the main gripes people had?

Now the accommodation is provided but shared.

(MOD edit)

rowntree · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 55

The company probably has good intentions. The owner undoubtedly has scruples. Unfortunately his admin and senior management leave a lot to be desired......The company has big plans and at present owns 2 English schools- one of which is in Mangaf and the other in Hawalli. They also have an Institute for higher education / female students (Kuwaiti) in Hawalli. This new MOD contract is branching out for them. If you sign up, you should be paid at least 900KD + housing of 100KD as some of their school staff are getting this.

paysheet · Joined: 18 Aug 2009 Posts: 6

So basically not a company you would chose to work for Rowntree.

Can they be relied upon to pay their staff. If worst comes to worse could hang on to Christmas or an academic year, is this possible as fancy a break from teaching in UK?

rowntree · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 55

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

marafie also 'manages' the berlitz in kuwait
hhhmmmm, berlitz is archaic audio lingual 'teaching' - mod is too
well , if oral drills and learn it if you can is your thing.....

Marrsbar · Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Dubai

So maybe you can tell me how does one find out where ones papers are in the Ministry? Do you have any idea how long they usually take to proces?

Thanks in anticipation

Marrsbar · Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Dubai

Sorry - my message was addressed to rowntree - but somehow only half appeared!

SO · Joined: 04 Dec 2009 Posts: 1

I would be wary dealing with them.

The communication with the agent was poor, not his English abilities but his timeliness. Maybe it's not a scam but the agent's follow-up was poor.

For instance, sending emails about your itinerary when you are asleep that needed to be addressed immediately. He had sent the eticket and I had to depart the next day. There was no communication for 3 days as to next steps or a timetable just we need you to be here next week. Its unrealistic.

There were other issues: there was a spam message that showed up in his mail, I ran his email in emailfinder.com and it said the email address [email protected] appears to be invalid. Click here to run another search.

If you received a message from this address, the email was likely "spoofed" and actually from someone else. This is quite common.

He replied saying he addressed the spam issue but I never found it, haha.

I didnt go. Maybe, I got spooked, hell they have the 11th largest GDP and its a government contract, he'll get his money back. It might have been legit and I wanted to go there but the experience left a bad taste in my mouth.