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CANDLES
Joined: 01 Nov 2011
Posts: 605
Location: Wandering aimlessly.....
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 Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:25 am Post subject: |
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If you are a female, then you cannot live independently. You have to live with the other women in either a compound or in apartments.
If male, then your company will give you the address/names of estate agents to help you.
'Only there to teach'???? Keeping attendance record and maintaining discipline, and teaching is what you've been hired for. Universities are supposedly becoming more strict about the attendance procedures and if the students are constantly not there, then they will not be allowed to sit their final exams. That's the theory! |
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plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:45 am Post subject: Re: accomodation |
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| gregsie74 wrote: |
| anyone have any idea about getting accomodation using the allowance they give you? is there any option to at least live near the college to avoid the commute? |
Given the price range of decent apartments and hotel/apartments you might have to share an apartment in order not to gouge your salary.
| gregsie74 wrote: |
| also, if you dont maintain attendance levels if students report you for trying to keep them in the class ( maintaining attendance levels ), how does that affect you if you are only there to teach? |
It's good to see that your going into Saudi Arabia understanding something of the more hypocritical aspects of the region. You're likely to get some of the English supervisors saying they are "tough" on attendance and demanding that you set rules for counting off students for attendance. Of course you don't get reported for marking students late or absent, they find other superfluous reasons to try to get rid of you or make you change. They will complain about anything they can find, your dress, your looks, you don't respect prayers, etc. Especially if the material is too advanced for them, they will nitpick over why every sentence or grammar structure exists. I've experienced it all. When you come you will see and have to adjust, that's that.
Most of the time you ultimately have to give them what they want and walk away with your paycheck. If that is too unethical for you, then get a license in your country and teach at top international schools (less than top tier international schools are crooked too  isn't it wonderful). You could also teach in your own country with a license. |
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gregsie74
Joined: 13 Apr 2014
Posts: 19
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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thanks for the replies...i guess its best to be flexible then and give them what they want.
a few questions:
it says the contract is indefinite, so basically, does that mean you will be kept on as long as you do play your part? ie dont get in peoples way and give them ( the students, and im guessing management) what they want
second question, are there opportunities for making extra cash giving private lessons? i mean if students are not wanting to attend school, is it even likely anyone would want private lessons?
thirdly, if the holiday inn ( expensive) and main accommodation ( full up) has good internet, is it normal for the shared apartments to have wifi?
and if not, how much is a monthly local wifi sim card?
fourthly, where would the shared accommodation be located exactly? would one have to commute from jeddah for 1 and half hours for 5 days a week or is a there a closer option nearer to the college , which looks like its directly below mekkah, which is apparently closed to non-muslims?.
fifthly, are there any females in the area? How do single guys survive out there for 4 years without looking at a member of the opposite sex for fear of getting deported, or whatever the punishment is |
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gregsie74
Joined: 13 Apr 2014
Posts: 19
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:45 pm Post subject: |
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sorry forgot to ask - 20-25 contact hours, are you given a book full preprepared lesson plans to 'read' or turn into entertainment? and if so, how many hours are spent planning?
because i cant imagine that much planning unless youre turning the existing material into ways to retain their interest.
could you give me some examples of a lesson plan?
and im guessing you make the lessons as student centred as possible ?
thanks again for the replies... |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:49 pm Post subject: |
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In answer to some of your questions:
| gregsie74 wrote: |
| are there opportunities for making extra cash giving private lessons? i mean if students are not wanting to attend school, is it even likely anyone would want private lessons? |
This topic has been discussed numerous times in this forum, but basically, giving private lessons on the side is illegal. However, that doesn't stop some teachers from discretely doing so. Once you've settled into the position, you might ask your employer if there are opportunities to work overtime.
| Quote: |
| Are there any females in the area? How do single guys survive out there for 4 years without looking at a member of the opposite sex for fear of getting deported, or whatever the punishment is |
There are women throughout all of KSA; however, they're quite covered, so there's nothing to look at. I strongly suggest you read up on Saudi Arabia's gender-segregation law. Being discovered in the company of any woman unrelated to you is haram and will land both of you in big trouble with the hai'a (religious police).
Apparently, deprived (and depraved) single males find mixed-gender parties on compounds via western friends and/or they make quick weekend and holiday trips to neighboring Bahrain or the UAE for some R&R.
| lastly wrote: |
where would the shared accommodation be located exactly? would one have to commute from jeddah for 1 and half hours for 5 days a week or is a there a closer option nearer to the college , which looks like its directly below mekkah, which is apparently closed to non-muslims?
....
20-25 contact hours, are you given a book full preprepared lesson plans to 'read' or turn into entertainment? and if so, how many hours are spent planning? because i cant imagine that much planning unless youre turning the existing material into ways to retain their interest. could you give me some examples of a lesson plan? and im guessing you make the lessons as student centred as possible ? |
You'd likely be expected to use student-centered teaching methods. Anyway, should you get an interview, these are the types of questions you would ask your interviewer(s) relative to that particular teaching situation. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 9:36 am Post subject: |
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| Most places in KSA expect you to "teach the book" |
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plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 11:48 am Post subject: |
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| gregsie74 wrote: |
| sorry forgot to ask - 20-25 contact hours, are you given a book full preprepared lesson plans to 'read' or turn into entertainment? |
I think the entertainment you are referring to is for teenagers and youths. You'll want to think up some games and activities that relate to the material, games where they use the white board. For adults I wouldn't use activities other than open group discussion of things related to both Saudi Arabia, themselves and the material.
| gregsie74 wrote: |
| and if so, how many hours are spent planning? |
An hour for each two hour lesson. You mostly want to have a clear understanding of word definitions most importantly synonyms. The grammar in the lesson, you want to have a clear understanding of how it works, you want to examine that fairly carefully. That's the most important thing. It's best that you know everyone's name and are fairly friendly with them and talk to them, if you can that is. As far as the games, brain storm sentence and definition games for the white board, again only for youths. Keep real life activities out of the classroom even if it's in the book, its Asia and particularly Saudi Arabia, they will respond negatively to anything different especially if they lose face, or feel their grades threatened.
| gregsie74 wrote: |
| because i cant imagine that much planning unless youre turning the existing material into ways to retain their interest. |
you yourself have to know about everything you talk about, that's what is important, and plan for brief classroom discussions which will only be short and voluntary. Also for youths one white board game every two hours, just brainstorm one.
| gregsie74 wrote: |
| could you give me some examples of a lesson plan? |
Lesson plan? Just use the chapter layout in the book. You don't do anything else, and come up with a few discussions that some will want to speak about, and an easy game or two.
| gregsie74 wrote: |
| and im guessing you make the lessons as student centred as possible ? |
Actually good point. That will entail having the students read out loud the readings and activity explanations in the book. This can be done in a teacher directed manner if all the students are good enough to read, otherwise be sure it's voluntary. Students should give answers voluntarily in a whole group setting. The whole point is nothing difficult, nothing different for the student. |
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SheikMilkShake
Joined: 02 Jul 2014
Posts: 84
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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"How do single guys survive out there for 4 years without looking at ....."
University teachers get term breaks 3-4 times a year, one week ( 9 days incl. 2 weekends) break in Mid January, another week in April, and Eid/End Ramadan break for 2 weeks ( incl 4 weekends if you happen to work n KSA during Ramadan) and another 2 weeks for Hajj vacation, and of course, July through End August ( 2- 21/2 months) if your contractual term covers that period. Also on weekends, you could take a short weekend getaway to neighboring countries by bus/taxi/private car or air, that is once you have got your iqama/ proper work permit and residence card in your hand. On the other hand, if you want to save money without taking a vacation for 4 years, I would suggest you bring a "must-have" flashlight or two so that you could sometimes switch off the lights and have some fun with the flash light in the dark, not that power cuts are that common in KSA. It w/could also remind you of some child hood memories of putting up a tent in the bedroom, and playing with a flash light. To add more fun, why not bringing some blow-up toys to have self-fun in the privacy of your own home? Women always keep soft toys to make their bedrooms accessorized. As a male version, we travel light, and blow up toys could save the space in our luggage. Customs officers would not search yr luggage, and I doubt that flashlights ( of course, without batteries) and blow-up toys are on the Hazardous Materials list. And if they did, they would understand that you are still a child at heart, and smile at you softly. Hope this info helps you to survive for 4 years alone as a single male, but do take a trip every now and then on weekends, and on vacation. Just for viewing, malls are everywhere where you can see plenty of ladies in black. You can also visit hospitals and clinics, and ask advise for your pain, from nurses, as some of them are very helpful.. |
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damn_my_eyes
Joined: 13 Jul 2013
Posts: 225
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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| SheikMilkShake wrote: |
"How do single guys survive out there for 4 years without looking at ....."
University teachers get term breaks 3-4 times a year, one week ( 9 days incl. 2 weekends) break in Mid January, another week in April, and Eid/End Ramadan break for 2 weeks ( incl 4 weekends if you happen to work n KSA during Ramadan) and another 2 weeks for Hajj vacation, and of course, July through End August ( 2- 21/2 months) if your contractual term covers that period. Also on weekends, you could take a short weekend getaway to neighboring countries by bus/taxi/private car or air, that is once you have got your iqama/ proper work permit and residence card in your hand. On the other hand, if you want to save money without taking a vacation for 4 years, I would suggest you bring a "must-have" flashlight or two so that you could sometimes switch off the lights and have some fun with the flash light in the dark, not that power cuts are that common in KSA. It w/could also remind you of some child hood memories of putting up a tent in the bedroom, and playing with a flash light. To add more fun, why not bringing some blow-up toys to have self-fun in the privacy of your own home? Women always keep soft toys to make their bedrooms accessorized. As a male version, we travel light, and blow up toys could save the space in our luggage. Customs officers would not search yr luggage, and I doubt that flashlights ( of course, without batteries) and blow-up toys are on the Hazardous Materials list. And if they did, they would understand that you are still a child at heart, and smile at you softly. Hope this info helps you to survive for 4 years alone as a single male, but do take a trip every now and then on weekends, and on vacation. Just for viewing, malls are everywhere where you can see plenty of ladies in black. You can also visit hospitals and clinics, and ask advise for your pain, from nurses, as some of them are very helpful.. |
What if the customs officers did check your luggage though?
And they pulled out a one-man tent, flashlight, inflatable friend and a bicycle pump...how would one explain it to them? |
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MuscatGary
Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 1:47 pm Post subject: |
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| damn_my_eyes wrote: |
What if the customs officers did check your luggage though?
And they pulled out a one-man tent, flashlight, inflatable friend and a bicycle pump...how would one explain it to them? |
and I thought Monty Python was finished.... |
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CANDLES
Joined: 01 Nov 2011
Posts: 605
Location: Wandering aimlessly.....
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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Funniest thread ever!  
I knew some women who were always ordering some 'toys' from Ann Summers, c/o of the company! |
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AJ88
Joined: 05 Sep 2013
Posts: 99
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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| CANDLES wrote: |
Funniest thread ever!
I knew some women who were always ordering some 'toys' from Ann Summers, c/o of the company! |
When you say some women is it the same as saying "my friend". |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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| damn_my_eyes wrote: |
What if the customs officers did check your luggage though?
And they pulled out a one-man tent, flashlight, inflatable friend and a bicycle pump...how would one explain it to them? |
Plus, I doubt Customs would find that "inflatable friend" properly clothed by Saudi standards. |
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gregsie74
Joined: 13 Apr 2014
Posts: 19
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 6:00 pm Post subject: great advice |
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| Thanks everyone, Sheik, thanks for the single guy advice..im also thinking of disguising my blow up doll in an abaya so i can enter the malls, as a couple too. |
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SirAristede
Joined: 26 May 2014
Posts: 83
Location: Salmiya, Al 'Āşimah, Kuwait
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: great advice |
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| gregsie74 wrote: |
| Thanks everyone, Sheik, thanks for the single guy advice..im also thinking of disguising my blow up doll in an abaya so i can enter the malls, as a couple too. |
Don't forget the niqab... gotta cover up the face and head so as to disguise the doll... |
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