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Recently qualified ESL Teacher teaching PYP
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teachr11



Joined: 23 Aug 2012
Posts: 39
PostPosted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 2:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
myohmy wrote:
...things are much worse than last year due to the new ill-conceived and poorly implemented "paperless" policy and due to the fact that there really isn't enough classroom space for PYP at the new campus, huge as it is. I have over 40 students in my classes, no whiteboard and an OHP that doesn't work properly.

Sounds a lot like KSU (the women's campus, anyway)! They became "paperless" in 2011-2012 school year and it takes a lot of getting used to. Due to the photocopying limit of 5 sheets of paper per class, you start relying on the students' "young eyes" so that you can give them a worksheet reduced to a 1/4 sheet of paper and they can still read the tiny text. Very Happy
myohmy wrote:
Some of the leadership here (and I'm not just referring to the Saudis) are incompetent micro-managers.

Also very KSU. I'm getting the idea that this attitude is indicative of any teaching job where teachers are just numbers to fill shoes. The management treats them like cattle to keep them under control, because they don't trust teachers to act professionally in any way. This problem can be avoided by working at an institution that hires professional teachers, and treats them as professionals rather than warm bodies. Still searching for THAT opportunity! (Yes, VS and Nomad, I realize I should go for direct-hire. Bear in mind that there are few direct-hire opportunities for people without MA-TESOL. Wink)

It's worth mentioning that school administration is as incompetent and dysfunctional as anything else in the country. The trickle-down effect results in a lot of pressure on the teachers. At least at KSU they had the excuse that "all decisions are made at the male campus." What's the excuse at PNU?
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
PostPosted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 2:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
teachr11 wrote:
At least at KSU they had the excuse that "all decisions are made at the male campus." What's the excuse at PNU?

Their excuse is that the male-dominated Ministry of Higher Ed is making those decisions.
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myohmy



Joined: 31 Jul 2013
Posts: 119
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 3:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
Yes, VS and Nomad, I realize I should go for direct-hire. Bear in mind that there are few direct-hire opportunities for people without MA-TESOL.


I don't see what difference that would make. I am direct hire and I have to put of with the same BS as the SBC, Edex, etc. folks who work at PNU.
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Teachr11 was comparing KSU to PNU; both hire directly but also rely heavily on contracting companies. It appears unis that have/have had a large part of their staffing handled via sketchy contractors have their own unique set of issues.
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plumpy nut



Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
myohmy wrote:


I don't see what difference that would make. I am direct hire and I have to put of with the same BS as the SBC, Edex, etc. folks who work at PNU.


I'll bet your pay is more and housing is better.
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teachr11



Joined: 23 Aug 2012
Posts: 39
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 1:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I think direct hire at PNU and KSU is a joke - PNU can't even afford to pay their direct hire employees salary until November! But what I meant is, places like Prince Sultan, KAUST, British Council, etc. are direct hire and treat their employees like actual humans.
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myohmy



Joined: 31 Jul 2013
Posts: 119
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 3:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
That's not exactly accurate about the pay. Those teachers who worked here last year were paid in early October. Those who had yet acquired an iqama and bank account, or who had just recently acquired them, were not paid at that time. I'm not defending PNU, just getting the facts straight.
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myohmy



Joined: 31 Jul 2013
Posts: 119
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 3:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
I'll bet your pay is more and housing is better.


Quite right, plumpy, and it does make putting up with all the BS a bit easier.
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