Job Discussion Forums

[teflguyusa]

Hello,

I have been offered an English Instructor position with Laureate at the Jeddah male college, has anyone worked there before or know of anyone that has taught there? Please share your experiences teaching the students, living in Jeddah and your dealings with management or Supervisor.


Thank you in advance for commenting.

[baa_baa]

The management, administration, HR, students will be a little different. They will not be too willing to work. I speak for all. Just don't expect much.

What can I say. Life is very different here. You should try UAE before you come here. Will you be on a compound at least?

Good luck.

[teflguyusa]

Thanks for your comment.

I am not sure where i will be living, i dont think it will be a compound, they have not mentioned this. They will house me for 30 days in a hotel and then I have to find an apartment to move into.


I read this posting from a former or current LSVA teacher there, his post made me a bit concern

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=106478&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

You are right about working in UAE first, it would be a better option. I will look into it.

Thank you,

Kleber

[baa_baa]

Regarding your accommodation, it's better you don't accept because you would be on your own. You don't know Arabic and people here don't fulfill their duties.

Example: You will stay in a hotel but in the meantime you need to find an apartment. You don't have listings nor anyone would refer you to one. You are stuck with a cab who wouldn't be too patient for you to find a place, call the owner, wait till he returns the call, which would take days. Other than that let's say you found a place it will take awhile until the agent shows up and takes you to the place. They don't show up though you two would have agreed.

Then gathering documents for issuing your iqama is another problem. They would just ask you to do it. You wouldn't be able to find the medical center nor someone to take you there. You would not be able to even communicate ant the taxi drivers are lazy and impatient.

In the UAE all this is organized and still they lack to provide you with what was promised. Start off there. If you like it then start looking for Sth here.

When they require something they will help you get it. Unlike here you are simply lost. Nothing is provided and people don't answer their phones when you call them for help.

I have skipped about how students tend to be and how administration does not have your back. I tried only to point out the simplest issues that you would face once you reach here.

Here's another lousy important point. Once you are in the kingdom you can't leave. You will not like it when you come here and there's no way out. At least that's how I felt. I just wanted to leave. But after putting so much effort time and money it's really difficult leaving. Besides it doesn't look good on your cv when you have a record of working for a year at several places.

Take this advice and don't come here for now. Check out teachaway, you might like what they offer. Check out the following for universities:

NYUAD
ZAYED UNI
ABU DHABI UNI
Higher Colleges of technology
BRitish council
American university of Dubai
American university of Sharjah

High school?
Taleem schools they have a variety
Emirates national school
Gems schools they have a variety
Sabis schools- usually Arabs are in here not too pleasant.

Notes:
- most of them like gems would expect you to teach two subjects like eng. & social studies
- usually high school positions tend to want literature teachers because the students are natives.

Sorry it's a negative answer but it's tough down here. Something you are not looking for. You had to see me when I was trying to leave for summer vacation. The HR almost messed it up for me but thank God things took a different turn.

Goodluck take care.

[1chunk]

Hi there,

Do you have a related BA or MA?

You could probably go direct hire with the 5 years experience and that would be ideal.

[teflguyusa]

Hi "1Chunk" I have a BA, I was planning to get my Masters this fall in the states but that plan fell through. I will still look into getting my Master's when i have more savings. Thanks for your comment.

[veiledsentiments]

For any tertiary level position in the UAE, you will need a related MA plus 3-5 years of related experience after its completion. By this they mean teaching Academic English to university level.

The better Teachaway jobs or international schools require an education first degree with a valid teaching certificate from your state for K-12.

Jobs are very competitive in the Emirates. Saudi may be your only option. Most require a BA plus a CELTA. Do you have a TEFL cert that involved supervised teaching?

VS

[baa_baa]

For some reason I thought he had MA.

[Nabz1236]

Are Laureate only recruiting for Jeddah for males? I have read on the forums the PYP English Manager is not very nice. He is somewhat of a bully.

I have experienced this when i interviewed with him via skype.

Other concern I had with Laureate is working hours. The job ad mentions up to 25 teaching hours a week and more if required. 40 hours on campus a week.

Does anyone have any first hand experience what kind of hours are required with Laureate? Or maybe any experience with a College of Excellence?

Also i know in KSA the working week is Sun - Thu. Fri & Sat is off. Is thursday normally a half day for students and teachers?

[scot47]

Teachers in KSA work 5 days in the week

[Janiny]

[teflguyusa]

Hi, thanks for your input.

[scot47]

A decent employer will find accommodation for you. If they leave you to swim alone in these shark-infested waters that is a BIG WARNING SIGN !

[The Fifth Column]

[nomad soul]