Job Discussion Forums

[KnockoutNed]

I've read all the reviews on here about this school and would like to ask some additional questions.

Could someone please tell me what curriculum you follow in the classroom? Do you typically teach the same lesson multiple times?


How about life on the compound? How many teachers stay there and is it a place where you can have privacy?

I've been offered $3200 for 16 contact hours a week for those curious.

[nomad soul]

Did you see "Shabaka - KFU - Hofuf" (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=101667)?

Saudi Arabia is one of those countries where you need to be flexible and keep your expectations low.

[KnockoutNed]

[akoo1]

I did extensive research on this company they have a detailed website and a Western representative handling hiring new teachers. It seems like they had some issues in the past are keen to avoid it by filtering out new people. They have a BUYER BEWARE manual which they make you read (and it's full of reports of incidents gone wrong). Next to all the negative information is a list of the perks gained by working there. Their website is extensive, i suggest reading it 2 or 3 times before continuing. The number of hours for the salary offered is not bad.

[cyclistlongdistancerunner]

There are a group of people who have a massive chip on their shoulders about Shabaka .... no doubt they will be along shortly.

I worked for Shabaka in 2011 - 2012. It was a good gig and a very good gig for those going to Saudi Arabia /the Middle East / Levant for the first time. They pay on time, the actual teaching is pretty decent and they have a system in place for weekly exams, the teaching schedule, etc..

The Sadoon brothers who own the company are very decent folk.

The compound is not bad at all. A swimming pool, a good gym. Movie, barbeque and pizza nights etc.. A football (soccer pitch). And you get paid breaks usually 12 days to two weeks or more.

I had no problems at all with the manager or the team. Some people evidently did. I didn't. As I said, a very good first gig for Saudi and the region.

Nobody asked me to post this. I just get tired of the nastiness about this gig. Not bad at all for first timers. (I am the one called "Moonboots" Best DG

[nickelgoat]

.....

[akoo1]

Cycle, were you into bars, hockey and sports?

[cyclistlongdistancerunner]

My thing was running to work in the morning on my Kangoo Jumpboots. Occasionally I ran home again in the evenings. I brought my bike to Saudi. I lifted weights a lot. Didn't play hockey. Did play soccer when we played.

[akoo1]

Did PJD accept you? How did the locals react to your running/cycling? Were you admired/despised by other teachers or locals for your exercises?

[cyclistlongdistancerunner]

The boss had no problem with me running to work; he was quite amused actually. Ditto other teachers! Had tea a couple times with different locals enough who were very curious about the boots. Lots of waves from people and cars. I wasn't the first at Shabaka. They had another guy run to work the year before me. Had to be very careful cycling of course.

[KnockoutNed]

[veiledsentiments]

JohnSlat... do I hear them calling you?

There used to be a photo online of John when he was working out in Saudi... gray haired fellow with amazing abs.

VS

[johnslat]

Dear VS,

And I still am.

As you may know, I'm just a tad OCD - so eventually, I got up to 20,000 stomach crunches and 5000 push-ups a week (plus the gym work-outs).

I mean, not much else to do there.

Regards,
John

[akoo1]

Isn't Saudi near to impossible for very organized OCD people? How did you manage?

[johnslat]

Dear akoo1

I developed a vast amount of patience, tried to always take the absurdly funny
view of what went on (but kept that to myself), and was fortunate enough to have a good job and a good employer. Off and on, I was there for 19 years (I took occasional breaks in a vain attempt to preserve my sanity.)

Regards,
John