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worldtraveler411
Joined: 17 Aug 2016
Posts: 23
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 Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 6:53 pm Post subject: What to do? Where to go? Classroom Mgmt? |
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I would like to hear from teachers actually in Saudi Arabia
it seems wearing long sleeves etc is excruciatingly HOT.
1) Safe/safety for Westerners? I realize things can happen anywhere.
Do you feel safe?
2) Classroom Management? I was told "no authoritarian classroom management styles." What tricks do you use for a calmer classroom?
3) How are the students in general? In the UAE, the students at some of the locations were quite disruptive, but this was supposedly more of a high school.
4) Shopping? I read "Single men are not allowed in malls." Not that I go that often.
5) What's to do? what's on Television? I know in the UAE they at least got. CNN, Oprah and Here's Lucy to name a few. And NO cinemas in Saudi. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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If those are pressing concerns for you that you can't handle, I suggest you look to other countries for work. Uber-conservative KSA is not the place for amateurs, TEFL newbies or the entitled.  |
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worldtraveler411
Joined: 17 Aug 2016
Posts: 23
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 7:36 pm Post subject: Please stay on topic |
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| Let's keep the topic productive and on the topic. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 1:31 am Post subject: |
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"Authoritarian" is the only way to be in class
Malls are open to single WESTERN males.
Safe ? I felt safer there than I ever do in London.
If you worry about the heat maybe KSA is not the place to go. |
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currentaffairs
Joined: 22 Aug 2012
Posts: 828
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| Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 1:45 am Post subject: |
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I have been moved a few times in malls but only because a woman was 10 metres from me on another bench nearby.. In other malls no problem and shopping is fine.
One of the guys was saying today that he expected it to be hotter. We walked around in the evening and it was no big deal. Just keep out of the midday sun.
Students can be a drag but it depends on the class. Some classes are easier to manage. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 1:54 am Post subject: Re: Please stay on topic |
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| worldtraveler411 wrote: |
| Let's keep the topic productive and on the topic. |
I was simply channeling my inner scot47. 
"Productive" answers to your questions:
- You asked about long sleeves in the heat. Since you're male, you don't need to worry about being out in the heat in a black abaya and hijab like we women have to.
- What's on TV? Who's on first?  You watch whatever English-speaking programs are on, subscribe to Netflix to watch the Brady Bunch and I Love Lucy, and/or pay for a spiffy satellite package.
- The shopping mall rules are specific to juvenile males. Period. I won't comment further.
- I have no clue about what it's like to teach young Saudi men. (I taught sweet, studious girls.)
- As for safety as a westerner, familiarize yourself with the laws (especially about gender segregation and public behavior), don't attract the attention of the Hai'a, and be mindful of your surroundings. (That could apply to your home country as well.) . |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 2:11 am Post subject: |
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| You have "an inner scot47" ? I am mystified and humbled. |
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RustyShackleford
Joined: 13 May 2013
Posts: 449
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| Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 10:44 am Post subject: |
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Saudi is pretty safe as a westerner. I've been everywhere from the Aramco Compound to some of the filthiest back alleys that surpass Vietnam's and never felt unsafe.
You HAVE to be authoritarian. Be fair, but expect the worst and don't fall to their little mind games.
Odds are, unless you're in a proper uni, that you're not going to have the best students in the world. Expect a challenge from the students. Management can also be an issue: Be ready to be told one thing and then told you're doing it wrong. Put on your best dancing shoes.
Single western men in malls should be fine.
Make friends who are on the cool compounds and you're gonna have a blast. Netflix is available in all her uncensored glory, even in the KSA and cable TV/OSN are available. I just stick to Netflix and am fine. Outside of that, you can join clubs and there are plenty of nice restaurants throughout the country. Mostly though, you make your own entertainment.... |
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bigdurian
Joined: 05 Feb 2014
Posts: 401
Location: Flashing my lights right behind you!
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| Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: What to do? Where to go? Classroom Mgmt? |
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| worldtraveler411 wrote: |
I would like to hear from teachers actually in Saudi Arabia
it seems wearing long sleeves etc is excruciatingly HOT.
1) Safe/safety for Westerners? I realize things can happen anywhere.
Do you feel safe?
2) Classroom Management? I was told "no authoritarian classroom management styles." What tricks do you use for a calmer classroom?
3) How are the students in general? In the UAE, the students at some of the locations were quite disruptive, but this was supposedly more of a high school.
4) Shopping? I read "Single men are not allowed in malls." Not that I go that often.
5) What's to do? what's on Television? I know in the UAE they at least got. CNN, Oprah and Here's Lucy to name a few. And NO cinemas in Saudi. |
1) can't imagine anywhere you're teaching without aircon, so long sleeves don't matter, and in winter it can get pretty nippy. You might want a jacket!
As for safety, it might depend on where you are. Generally, people are friendly and helpful, especially to westerners. But there may be the odd isolated incident. The most dangerous thing you can do in Saudi is get into a vehicle, whether as driver or passenger. Some of the driving is horrendous.
2) a lot depends on the systems in place where you work. Tough love works for me. Be fair, make them respect you. Be patient, show interest in their lives, No matter how alien what they do seems. Be relaxed. Saudis are relaxed. They like smiley and to have fun.
My experience is with teenagers and soldiers.
3) I like them, but a lot of that comes down to how you make your classroom. Had some very rewarding moments here, but at the same time, had some total nightmares as well.
Just like life really.
4) no problems there, don't wear shorts to the mall though.
5) get OSN, that's got most of what you'll need. Good internet available for downloading.
Get a life, sign up for things, join clubs, make friends. Get to know people with real jobs who live on compounds. Get a car, go places when you want, see the country.
Don't stay in your room watching YouTube complaining how boring it is. |
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cnthaiksarok
Joined: 29 Jun 2012
Posts: 288
Location: between a rock and a sandy place
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 3:18 pm Post subject: Re: What to do? Where to go? Classroom Mgmt? |
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| worldtraveler411 wrote: |
I would like to hear from teachers actually in Saudi Arabia
it seems wearing long sleeves etc is excruciatingly HOT.
1) Safe/safety for Westerners? I realize things can happen anywhere.
Do you feel safe?
2) Classroom Management? I was told "no authoritarian classroom management styles." What tricks do you use for a calmer classroom?
3) How are the students in general? In the UAE, the students at some of the locations were quite disruptive, but this was supposedly more of a high school.
4) Shopping? I read "Single men are not allowed in malls." Not that I go that often.
5) What's to do? what's on Television? I know in the UAE they at least got. CNN, Oprah and Here's Lucy to name a few. And NO cinemas in Saudi. |
[ Military & Private Institute Exp. ]
- You can wear short sleeves outside and roll your sleeves up in most classrooms.
1.) Be smart and take basic precautions as if you were traveling practically anywhere.
I feel very safe here (safer than many US/UK cities at night) but still...I'm prepared for the worst.
If you'd like more information, (I recently drafted a security plan for my compound and its residents) feel free to PM me for a copy.
PS: HIGHLY recommend making a few Saudi (male) friends. If you're ever in a jam, it can be a comfort-call, at least.
2.) The Authoritarian method works best with older students, IME. The newer generation Saudis appreciate and respond to variety, well-planned lessons, a video segment, practical - hands on activities that have a definitive goal to achieve. Think - VERY task oriented.
3.) The students where I've taught have a wide range from very interested and focused on improving to mild interest to no interest. The trick is (IMO) to find a lesson / method that draws in those no-interest students at the VERY beginning. If you can hook any of them, one/two of them just may defend you and your lesson to the others as the semester wears on.
* Football/Soccer, Saudi traditions, Car drifting, Saudi Travel, World Travel, World Flags, Food, Hunting/Fishing....these topics have worked for me in the past.
4.) There are some malls that have "family only" evenings and have declined me entry when my wife was away. Naturally, the schedule for such nights is far from ubiquitous - however if you talk with the security men at the doors they may either:
- tell you the schedule
- give you the foreigner pass
- inspect your work ID and give you the foreigner pass
I've only seen this rule being enforced at 2nd tier cities. Not Jeddah, Riyadh or Al-Khobar
5) There is one cinema (that I know of) in the Eastern Province along the Corniche Rd. It's an SFX and is used in a museum. Well, there's one more in the Royal Palace. 
If you're a big TV watcher: I'd recommend an OSN package + Netflix + a good VPN to download. |
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cnthaiksarok
Joined: 29 Jun 2012
Posts: 288
Location: between a rock and a sandy place
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 4:40 pm Post subject: Re: What to do? Where to go? Classroom Mgmt? |
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| bigdurian wrote: |
| 2) a lot depends on the systems in place where you work. Tough love works for me. Be fair, make them respect you. Be patient, show interest in their lives, No matter how alien what they do seems. Be relaxed. Saudis are relaxed. They like smiley and to have fun. |
+1 |
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