Job Discussion Forums

SaharaDesert · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 260

I recently saw that sterlingitr.com
is looking for ESL teachers on Dave's ESL website.

I have tried googling this company but can not find
much information.
Has anyone here ever worked for them ?
Do they have a good reputation ?

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

I know nothing about sterlingitr.com; however, based on the info from their current ad (and their lack of a Web presence), you might want to rethink applying with this company. For example, the ad states: "Candidates with ESL teaching experience in the Far East are encouraged to apply." Not sure how that experience is relevant to teaching Saudi students at the pre-uni/university level. They also want to conduct a 2 to 3-minute interview to assess the applicant's verbal skills, which seems to indicate an interest in the interviewee's ability to coherently speak English versus an an interest in his/her teaching experience and qualifications. Then at the end of the ad, there's a statement that, "Foreign teachers will be paid on time and have acceptable housing in KSA." Why single out payment and housing, unless this was a problem in the past. Oh, and I'd bet it's shared housing---acceptable to them but perhaps not for you.

However, if you feel desperate enough and apply anyway, then make sure you drill them with specific questions about their business, who the actual employer is, teaching locations, teaching environment/load, housing, vacation time, etc. Be prepared, be proactive but know the situation may still not be ideal.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Never heard of them, but then I was only in KSA on and off from 1970 to 2011.

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

What do you know, then?

It was only a brief period in Time!

johnslat · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 4:45 pm Post subject:

Dear It's Scary,

As are all our sojourns in this vale of tears. Sad

Regards,
John

meller · Joined: 31 Aug 2011 Posts: 1 Location: Canada

A little research (from someone who contacted me from Sterling) tells me they pass along information to Skyline.

Same phone call to see how your English is... etc.

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

Sounds like a top-flight position to me! Care to put me in touch?

It's sad to see how far Saudi has sunk into this muck...I mean, it NEVER was "fun", but, at least, actual teachers had some kind of dignity!

adventuramust · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 126

Has there been an updates? I tried to locate sterling on the web with no luck. I received a email out of the blue from them. When I emailed that I didn't meet the qualifications (wrong major), I was merely sent a "contract" with nothing more than a sketchy job description.

sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

What's that expression about not touching something with a barge pole?