Job Discussion Forums

[Esoteric_]

I would like to land a job in Saudi for this coming school year, but I am afraid that it is too late. Here are my details:

My intention is to continue studying Arabic while saving money to return to school (Saudi seems like the best place in the Gulf as opposed to a place like the Emirates where English is more widely spoken). I have a B.A. in Political Science, a CELTA A grade, and three years of teaching experience (in Spain). My Arabic level is intermediate and I have lived and traveled throughout the Middle East/North Africa. My wife, who also speaks Arabic at the intermediate level and has experience in the MENA region, will be coming with me. We have no doubt that we can adjust to Saudi and are prepared/understand the difficulties of life there, but are simply unsure because of the short amount of time until the school year starts.

Is it plausible and worth my time to still consider Saudi for this year? Any advice and recommendations are greatly appreciated, as well as alternatives that fit what I am looking for. I look forward to becoming part of this wonderful community on Dave's ESL and appreciate all of information that you have all provided!

[cmp45]

Yes it would be too late for fall start, but perhaps you can land something for the second semester in 2013.
Sometimes you do find places where they are short or some teachers do not show up or any number of senarios...best advice is to apply to the places you are interested in and see what comes your way.

[rdobbs98]

I don't see how it can be too late, there are plenty of advertisements and during Ramadan time is slow in MENA, Middle East and North Africa.

[strangerthanparadise]

of course you can land yourself a job for september if you apply now. depending what nationality you have it can take anything from 3 to 6 weeks to get there...it all depends how fast they are - recruiter/employer. just go for it.

[veiledsentiments]

Realistically, best to start counting after the end of EID.... nothing will be happening before that.

But, I would assume that the better jobs are all already filled.

VS

[scot47]

I would challenge your assumption that KSA is thebest place to learn Atrabic. As a foreigner youwill be isolated form Mainstream Society. In your role as a "Gastarbeiter" you will be mixing with others iof that ilk and in the public domain you will find that Hindi/Urdu and English are more wiidely uised than Arabic.

If you CAN find a job this late it will be with someone you do NOT want to be with !

[Esoteric_]

Unfortunately, it seems that the only thing left are jobs via recruiters but I am still going to make my best attempt. As for learning Arabic, I figured that Saudi is the best place as a crossroads between the best paying and best place to learn. Certainly there are better places for studying the language, but they will not provide the income I'm looking for. My other option for the most efficient place to study and still earn a respectable income is Oman (which is most definitely a better place for Arabic study, but not as well paying according to what I've found). The other Gulf countries do not offer anything by way of Arabic, and I've learned first hand that the potential to save in the Levant or North Africa is zero.

Once again, thanks for the information and recommendations. I feel much safer after hearing your warnings as to which employers should be trusted, if there are any that deserve such recognition.

[trapezius]

Yemen...?

[Esoteric_]

Yemen would be my first choice of anywhere in the region to visit next! But considering the fact that an English teacher was recently killed there for being an alleged missionary... I already experienced enough turmoil in Syria, so I'd like something reliable, if only for a year.

[Esoteric_]

It is definitely not too late to secure a position, fortunately. I've already received a large number of responses, and many of the offers are still quite good. For anyone interested, it is certainly still worth searching for openings and applying!