Job Discussion Forums

lotuseater · Joined: 08 Dec 2010 Posts: 23

What I have read on this thread about salaries in the KSA doesn't seem to match up with at least one KSA university posted information.

Under the TESOLArabia 2013 conference info about job fair recruiters, the Taibah Uni has posted this as their salary range:

'University ELC staff are offered competitive, monthly, local-tax free salaries ranging from
9,400 � 25,000 Saudi riyals (2,500 � 6,600 US dollars), based on relevant experience. Contracts are automatically renewed annually.'

In addition to this, the post outlines the supplemental furniture allowance:

'Accommodation: MA holders will receive an annual housing allowance of 17,000 SAR while PhD holders will receive an annual housing allowance of 25, 000 SAR.'

I shall be attending the conference / job fair, and thought to target KSA's universities to see if all are offering similar packages.

If the reality is a salary offer of around 15,000 SAR, that is quite a disparity.

Of course, the higher range is for Ph.D. holders, but can the MA holders really expect 10,000 SAR/ month less than the docs? Any comments?

Thanks,
LE

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

It also states: "Applicants must be native or near-native speakers of English with an MA in TESOL, Applied Linguistics or Linguistics from an accredited university. It is preferred that applicants have at least 3 years of EFL teaching experience at the tertiary level, especially in the Arab world."

I suspect that pay range reflects native vs non-native speaking skills as well as where the experience was gained (preferred Arabic-speaking country vs a non-Arabic speaking one).

lotuseater · Joined: 08 Dec 2010 Posts: 23

I think that was the point I was trying to make.

If one has an MA in Applied Linguistics with 3-4+ years post MA ESL/EFL tertiary teaching experience, with some of that time being in the Gulf, why wouldn't one expect much more than 15,000 SAR/ month?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The upper reaches of the salary scale are not for mere English teachers ! Do not count on getting much more than 15,000 SR monthly starting. This may increase but will not go much above 18,000.

Asking "why" will not change that.

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

I agree with Scot. What you expect to get may not be what the employer deems you're worth; the ball's not in your court when it comes to salary. Anyway, you'll just have to apply for the position to find out. Maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised like I was when I was offered more than what I thought I'd get. Cool

lotuseater · Joined: 08 Dec 2010 Posts: 23

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Salary scales at unis in KSA are laid down by the Min Of Higher Ed. In all my years at KFUPM, where there are around 110-120 English teachers, I never heard of ANYONE teaching English at a Saudi uni getting 25.000SR a month. Saudi guys with PHds teaching Civil Engineering, maybe.

Dream on ! Or adjust to reality and settle for what is on offer. You can supplement your income by overtime. summer school and moonlighting.

Hatcher · Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 602

Can you say what the salary at KFUPM would be for those teaching content courses with a master's?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I was an English Teacher. This is a forum for English teachers. What would I know about the salary fro someone teaching Civil Engineering or Accountancy ?

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

teechagimme · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 56 Location: S. Korea

Saudi has been a terrible experience for me and I believe that most of the jobs for women here are similar. If you have a soft heart or show any weakness whatsoever, the women who are already here will go for your jugular. It starts with students who are bullies and goes on up through to the admin which will usually side with the students and then start in on you as well. So if you can handle being mistreated as "just the way things are" more power to you and I hope that it makes you rich.

Having said that, some things that seem to correlate with female teachers staying here awhile are the fact that they are over 50 years old, divorced and in need of retirement money. They may have raised their children and know some things about teenagers and young adults that would help out when trying to manage these students, or they may be very experienced teachers. Some of them will try to help less experienced teachers but they will usually run out of time or become frustrated too quickly to actually be of help and Saudi is not a place where you can expect for meaningful professional development to occur.

abayababy · Joined: 26 Dec 2012 Posts: 109

Sigh. Another post expressing subtle superiority over those who find it tolerable here.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

abayababy · Joined: 26 Dec 2012 Posts: 109

Not sure that I do, VS. I agree it's not for everyone, but I don't believe I make value judgments on those who find it is not their cup of tea. I have many friends here who have no intention of renewing their contract, and I don't think any the less of them for that.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Teachagimme

I will make a broad generalisation and say that those with Korean experience do NOT do well in KSA. I do not fully understand why.

I have now donned flak jacket and tin hat in the expectation of heavy incoming fire.