Job Discussion Forums

[soheeb16]

Hello everyone,

It has been a while. I first came here 2 years ago inquiring about teaching in Saudi and was immediately discouraged. Well, despite the advice given to me, since then I acquired a CELTA, 2 years English teaching experience, and an MSEd in TESOL seeking to become qualified to teach in Saudi.

Now I am in the midst of applying to positions with recruiters (and direct hires if I can get one). As I am applying, I am trying to get the advice of those who have worked in the Kingdom before to find out what rookie mistakes I should avoid moving forward in the application process and as a potential new expat.

All that being said: What is something you wish you were told during your application process or early on in your stay in Saudi Arabia that you think all newcomers should know?

[Pikgitina]

Come to Saudi Arabia with a large dose of willingness to:

- adapt to a way of doings things that might be contrary to what you would normally do (e.g. grading/marking/teaching),
- accept ambiguity (e.g. mixed messages when it comes to dealing with discipline issues in the classroom),
- and tolerate frequent change (e.g. where I work teaching schedules can change weekly).

Remember, it is possible to have fun and have positive experiences. Good Luck!

[mnruman]

I have a friend, who currently teaches in KSA. He is a Science teacher in Jeddah. From what I can gather, he is enjoying it.

He takes the kids out to go karting etc as a reward.

But he has said that you can get bored at times, so its best to keep busy with work or other activities. he tends to visit Madina/ Makka every now and then. he has his own car, so transport doesnt seem to be an issue for him. It also did help him having his uncle already there when he first started,

[nomad soul]

[cnthaiksarok]

[plumpy nut]

I mentioned this on another thread on Dave's. Bad students (especially if you're working with adults at an academy), and untrustworthy owners and administrators are not your only problems. You have to be aware of the possibility of not getting references from your most recent jobs in Saudi Arabia or in general any place in Asia, due to the unusually fickle nature that their culture instills in them, and with the Saudis in particular the more than usual obstinacy and laziness. I would go to Saudi Arabia for a few years of quick bucks and then come back to a more normal job market.

[Makkah]

As a potential new expat and teaching here.
Keep away from teachers who constantly moan or who don't have anything positive to add.
Before making a teaching practice suggestion in your teaching establishment ask yourself one question .........Will my suggestion make additional work for my peers?
Follow the rules in your teaching establishment no matter how small / ridiculous they may seem.
Don't go running to management on a weekly basis complaining about such and such a student, it will only make you look as if you can't manage your class. Don't complain, politely ask for an intervention.
Adopt a state that you don't care about them (management whoever they maybe) because they don't care about you.

Just do your job.....at the end of the year and you renew your contract and you get a whopping 8% to 10% pay rise you know that they really appreciate what you do.

[soheeb16]

Thanks so much for all the advice everyone. Much of it is new to me and I certainly will be looking at this thread as a reference point.

Nomad soul, yes I did get some very great advice, and I appreciate it very much, especially all the help you gave me. I was just referring to my very first thread where someone (I forgot who) told me it seems I am not cut out for Saudi Arabia just based on my first post. I didn't mean to imply this has been my general experience on the site as that certainly is not the case.

Yes, I did apply to KAU just two days ago and got an automated response telling me they will get in touch soon. I am sending my CV out to multiple sources hoping to find the contract right for me.

[nomad soul]

Don't show up to KSA broke---have at least $2000 available to you as emergency money.

[sicklyman]

You would do well to remember that the country is made of sand; things often change overnight.

[Hatcher]

I wish I had been told how inept and useless so many workers are.

I wish I had been told that I could make more in other countries.

Saudi is 500 years behind the West in many ways.

[cmp45]

[Gamajorba]

What did I wish I knew before coming here?

1) How demotivating students and admin can make your life just by being...themselves

2) How 'wasta' basically controls everything that goes on here

3) How terrifying the traffic is (I don't even drive, and this place has seriously put me off even more)

4) How this is NOT a place for the meticulous/OCD/organised type (I'm not overly organised but I do like some form of order at least...)

5) How expensive it is to actually get in and out of the country. I've seen flights from Riyadh to Bahrain and back for $1000 comfortably!

6) How hypocritical and lazy everything and everyone is (expats included)

7) How FAKE students can really be

8 ) How much patience you REALLY need to deal with **** here

9) How insanely BORING the country actually is

I could go on...

[scot47]

You will be leaving soon then ? You want "organised" try North Korea !

[Sheik Yerbuti]

5) How expensive it is to actually get in and out of the country. I've seen flights from Riyadh to Bahrain and back for $1000 comfortably!

You must be going about this wrong. Three international airports to leave from and discount airlines flying in and out of the Kingdom all the time. I
just bought a RT to a popular SEA destination for under $300.