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BAE Advice
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hash



Joined: 17 Dec 2014
Posts: 456
Location: Wadi Jinn

PostPosted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 3:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It sounds like a nightmare to me. Good luck to anyone having to take this job.

Notice this little tidbit posted above:

Student ages: 18-50 years. .......... Do you know what it's like to "teach" a 50 year old "soldier"? I've done it.....poor guys can hardly get into their seats, let alone rise from them.

This goes to show the real reason these programs exist. It's not to teach....it's not even really to "train". It's that they don't know what to do with all this surplus personnel......you're training a 50 year old? In a language? For what? To win a seat at Sandhurst? Or West Point?

So, what's the answer? Why.... "Put them in an English class!!" Doesn't matter at what level or for what purpose or what qualifications the students should have or even what qualifications the teacher has. None of that matters. What matters is that they're "active" at something.

And for this you need a Master's or other high language qualification?
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Siobhan 22



Joined: 13 Jul 2016
Posts: 170

PostPosted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 3:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lord T wrote:
Do you happen to have any idea what the 'attrition' rate among staff (I mean agency, Language Solutions, staff is)? Interviewer said it was ca. 50% within a 3-month period if I recall correctly.


I believe it was 100% in May of this year, but a few might have changed their mind. After all, I'm sure no-one at Langsols would try to mislead you.[/quote]

Lord T: 100% is high, although I have to admit I saw an advert from Jan 2016 seeking 20 teachers so presumably that reflects a high attrition rate since the previous September start.

When you say 100% from last May, are you taking into account those who may have been transferred to direct hire by BAE? I understand that the langsols 3-month 'business'/temp.work visa' cohorts enables BAE to 'fish' for new BAE staff more cheaply and efficiently rather than going through the whole 2-3 month iqama acquisition hassle.
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Lord T



Joined: 07 Jul 2015
Posts: 285

PostPosted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 6:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

When you say 100% from last May, are you taking into account those who may have been transferred to direct hire by BAE? I understand that the langsols 3-month 'business'/temp.work visa' cohorts enables BAE to 'fish' for new BAE staff more cheaply and efficiently rather than going through the whole 2-3 month iqama acquisition hassle.[/quote]

I was told that Langsols sent 8 teachers in February, and all of them chose to leave in May- if that's not the case, I will stand corrected.

Lord T
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desertfox



Joined: 14 Jun 2015
Posts: 120

PostPosted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 8:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Having had recent experience with BAE in Dhahran, I believe that what Lord T has said on attrition is correct.
The proportions are appalling, and should serve as a warning to potential applicants.
Best to find something more suitable.

Desertfox
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Siobhan 22



Joined: 13 Jul 2016
Posts: 170

PostPosted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 8:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

On the other hand, if you are prepared for a 'worst case scenario', $4500 per month for 3 months means this salary, when transformed into sterling (thanks to Brexit and a weaker pound) means nearly an extra £350 a month, so an extra 'buffer zone' of £1000 which should help transition people out of Saudi back to normality if need be. Though, of course, you should prepare for contingencies.

Also, if starting in Sep, you might have the added 'buffer zone' of a winter break and the courage to manage an extra 3 months which would almost total 7 months of salary if you take into account the 'Xmas pause'.

Lord T: 8 teachers in, 8 teachers out.....ouch!

So many stories we could hear about and mull over...... but maybe they take signing the Official Secrets Act seriously.
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danshengou



Joined: 17 Feb 2016
Posts: 434
Location: A bizarre overcrowded hole

PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2016 3:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Like I said, take it only if you are desperate or greedy. Quick cash. Get in, get out. And hopefully you don't need 6 months off to recuperate so you wind up broke again and repeating the cycle.
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Siobhan 22



Joined: 13 Jul 2016
Posts: 170

PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2016 11:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just watched the film noir 'In a Lonely Place' with Bogart (not easily available but can be found on www.putlocker.is)

Contentwise, thematically unconnected with Dhahran, but titlewise.......

Hope youtube and putlocker aren't blocked out there.
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plumpy nut



Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652

PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2016 11:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Saudis don't block anything on the internet that I know of. You have to use VPN's only to protect your privacy or obtain services of online companies that operate in the West such as Amazon. Saudi blocking doesn't occur and is not a concern of anyone that is over there. I would still strongly suggest using a VPN when in Saudi Arabia.
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plumpy nut



Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652

PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2016 11:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

danshengou wrote:
Like I said, take it only if you are desperate or greedy. Quick cash. Get in, get out. And hopefully you don't need 6 months off to recuperate so you wind up broke again and repeating the cycle.


Get in and get out, if for no other reason than lots of luck getting references from a company like that. Important services are a serious problem in Saudi Arabia. When applying to any company keep in mind that if your health insurance is anything less than an "A" level type of insurance, lots of luck if you're in a serious accident. Unlike the West, they don't offer treatment by law, regardless of ability to pay, if a patient is in severe pain, might be permanently maimed, might die, may have long term medical complications. Inshallah that might be bestowed someday on the moral awareness on the rulers of the country, and may become more than just a nice suggestion that they might hear from time to time.
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Siobhan 22



Joined: 13 Jul 2016
Posts: 170

PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2016 3:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My Ninja VPN service should work just fine.....at least i should have access to bbc iplayer.

I saw one advert for Al jazeera International Academy in Riyadh offering 'C' class insurance. God only knows what that covers (does not cover).

At least BAE's must be 'A' class - even for those with Language Sol