Job Discussion Forums

[Londonish]

I've had an offer from PNU and, well, let's just say that I am a very cautious person.

I have an odd collection of questions, I know, but PNU has had a fair bit of coverage on the forums so most of the answers I want, I have already been able to find.

1. Are all ESL teachers now housed in on campus accommodation? I had heard some were housed off campus. Is that true, false or in the past?

2. Is the pool in use? Has it even been built yet?

3. Salary payment - do they pay on time? Does it make a difference if you are a direct hire or agency hire? Any other issues around payment?

4. How many ESL teachers are there? Do people tend to socialise outside their departments?

5. Timing - how long does it usually take to go from job offer to visa to 'in country'? ( I know, I know - your mileage may vary)

6. Anything else I should know about from a lifestyle perspective? (PNU specific rather than Saudi specific).

[nomad soul]

[Londonish]

Two agencies have offered me roles.

One has confirmed that they will be my employer and the other has said that PNU will be my employer. They didn't not use the phrase 'direct hire' so might be obfuscating.

I'm curious as to what, if any, differences there are between direct hire and agency. (The direct hire thread sprang up after my initial post - good timing!)

So, for the sake of argument - are PNU reliable with their payroll and does anyone know if the agencies are reliable with their payrolls? I don't particularly want to name the agency on this board but then again, I think there are only three working for PNU at the moment.

Any answers to the other questions?

[Londonish]

Actually, let me answer some of my own questions from information I have had from other sources - might help others in the same boat -

1. Are all ESL teachers now housed in on campus accommodation? I had heard some were housed off campus. Is that true, false or in the past?
TRUE - ESL teachers housed mostly off campus with some on campus. There are various off campus compounds in use.

3. Salary payment - do they pay on time? Does it make a difference if you are a direct hire or agency hire? Any other issues around payment?
I quote '[Recruiter Name] - no problems so far'.

4. How many ESL teachers are there? Do people tend to socialise outside their departments?
Some people do and some people don't/depends on the individual. Yes, you can escape the moaning TEFLers.

5. Timing - how long does it usually take to go from job offer to visa to 'in country'? ( I know, I know - your mileage may vary)
6 weeks for mid year hire

[myohmy]

Only direct hire teachers are housed on campus and the accommodations are far superior than anything you will get from a contractor.

[Mspain]

Hi. This is really a message for myohmy. I am new to the forum and have tried to send you an IM. I do not know if I did this properly! Dd you get it? Thanks

[veiledsentiments]

You need to make 5 posts before you can do PMs... or at least that has been the rule for the past couple years. (to stop spammers who try to use the PM system here)

VS

[Mspain]

Ah thank you that solves that mystery at least.