Job Discussion Forums

[Lord T]

I'd like to know the basic salary. I have a feeling it's going to be on the low side.

[bigdurian]

[cnthaiksarok]

Thanks for the updates Big D.

Awfully nice of you.

[sicklyman]

NITI uses the new iPad based curriculum which makes classroom teaching much better than it used to be so it's not all bad. However, turnover is high there mostly due to Kaplan management issues.

The "Ras Tanura/Jubail" thing is code for the Maritime Academy, I'm willing to bet.

Either way, your employer will not be Saudi Aramco and the closest you'll get to the company is to see their recruits pass through your classrooms.

[sicklyman]

[bigdurian]

The poor holidays kind of put me off a bit, but I'm still getting contacted by people over it. This time a guy from HR at HAKA directly. Either they're desperate, or I'm a wanted man.

I go for the latter.

More interviews in March as well apparently.

[danshengou]

$5000 a month for this job, likely shoddy housing and meager holidays all add up to one thing: another crap deal. But at least you're less likely to get kidnapped than in Afghanistan.

[bigdurian]

[danshengou]

[sicklyman]

very unlikely you'll get housing but rather a housing allowance to spend or save as you wish.

If you have two interim leaves a year, this is actually better than being contracted to Aramco which, last year, cut its interim leaves for contracted staff to one. Number of days remains unchanged. You just have to wait 6 months before you can go on your first leave. Kind of brutal...

[BritishTeacher1985]

Hi all,

I've got an interview this Saturday and although I originally applied through the Haka route, I ended up getting shortlisted through Jatco. I haven't heard many positive things about this recruiter to be honest. I've got a family and a stable job based in the UK, so it is probably better for me to hold on for the best possible package as I still have a few months to go before I submit my PhD.

It's been a couple of years since I looked in the ESL positions again but I think once I secure the PhD, I should be in a better position and ideally I think 5 years ago would've been a better time to apply as there seemed to be more direct hire/compound roles available. Having QTS, I would also be interested in applying to work in Aramco schools, but again I have no knowledge of salaries and packages in that sense.

Just reading through this thread and it really is a tough move with a young family and it certainly is a 2-3 year gig at best. The recent cuts also add further pressure so it really is a big decision even if an offer were to be made. I would suggest, go to the interview and if successful, following negotiation, maybe make the decision to apply again in 12 months time.

I am more inclined towards waiting for a direct hire position to come up or at least earn £7.5k a month plus accommodation and support towards some school fees. This however, seems like an unrealistic ask.

From recent research and networking, UAE is another hot spot but education ministries seem to be a lot more strict on the type of qualifications needed.

Although I've got extensive experience teaching ESL, I would've liked to have had an MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL or DELTA instead of a general MA, which is what may affect negotiations if this situation arises. I've been thinking of doing the distance DELTA for quite some time now as I didn't think I would get an interview based on having a BA and MA in the Social Sciences, coupled with a CELTA, lots of experience and a formal teaching qualification from the UK. Basically, those with an MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL plus experience seem to be the most favored and in my eyes rightly so!

Anyway, if I do end up at this interview on Saturday, I'll let you know how things progress.

Regards,
Nicks

[BritishTeacher1985]

Didn't get the job, but good experience as discussed in my reply on the 'Interview' thread...