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BritishTeacher1985
Joined: 30 Apr 2014
Posts: 28
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 Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2017 9:01 am Post subject: |
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| bigdurian wrote: |
| BritishTeacher1985 wrote: |
Thanks for all your input guys - especially those who have been there and done it.
Can anyone tell me what techniques you did use in an attempt to motivate them so that they were able to engage a little? |
I've worked in two very different settings in Saudi. One in an international school, and the other in a military setting which is where I am now. However, there are certain things that they have in common regarding motivation of the students.
Disclaimer: this has been my experience, other people probably think I'm talking rubbish.
Be motivated yourself. By this I mean care about your students' progress. You can't expect them to care if you don't either.
Make them respect you, as a teacher, and a person. By this I mean that you should know your stuff. If they can see that you do actually know what you're talking about, they will respond to that, and I'm often surprised by what I get back.
And as a person, I mean that you shouldn't be going into class hungover. You should also set a good example about how to live your life. If they see you as someone to look up to, this can work.
Take an interest in them. Learn about where they're from, what they like to do. Show an interest however alien what they do may seem to you.
I also use a lot of humour in class. Saudis don't like serious, so if you can crack a few jokes as you go along, it makes your day a lot better too. It helps if you can be relaxed. Saudis are very friendly and sociable people. I haven't come across any animosity in class, even when I've had to do things that will have repercussions for the students.
Be strict. Have rules, and follow them to the letter. Make sure they know that if they step out of line there will be consequences. This is especially true in a military setting where they're going to get punished or lose points.
So for me, all of these things combined work for me, and I like to think I get good results. Most of my time teaching here has been a lot of fun and I've enjoyed it. But that 10-20%(whatever the figure is) that wasn't, would be up there with some of my worst ever experiences. Teaching officers would be in there.
But at the end of the day, I get paid very well. Saved 30K GBP last year with out even trying, and your don't get that in some school in China, Columbia, or Vietnam......  |
Nice positive words, Good to know the are positive experiences too. I agree with those points as they have worked for me before. Building rapport has always been my strength.
I hope you are able to save even more next year! I can only presume you're at one of the oil/aviation type companies (no names mentioned).
If you're a an 'SMP', then even better in terms of sayings potential.
All the best |
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Londonlover
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 90
Location: London
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| Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2017 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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| BritishTeacher1985 wrote: |
| nomad soul wrote: |
| BritishTeacher1985 wrote: |
In fact that the new MA is via distance learning and really good value compared to the cost of other post-graduate study at £1570 per annual.
So as you can see I like the variation and hopefully will also have the option some day to dip into teaching on a Linguistics programme at undergraduate level. These quals are all active for me and not just a point of getting degrees for the sake of it. |
FYI: The governments of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain (and possibly the UAE) do not recognize qualifying degrees and credentials that include coursework studied via distance learning/online. See http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=115564 -- the most recent discussion about this issue. |
Yes, I'm aware of this but I'm keeping my options open in terms of where I would like to teach. Nice to have thr option even though I may never venture overseas for work again. |
Well, you are closing down your options in the Gulf with this distance learning Master's.
It sounds as though money is the main motivator for you going to Saudi/the Gulf to work (as it is for the vast majority of people who certainly don't go for the "teaching" - quotation marks used advisedly)
You will get a job that pays you really decent money with several years of post MA TESOL/Applied Linguistics experience (so you would be talking another 5 years or so down the line in your case). Furthermore and this is key, such a qualification if done distance learning/electronically will have absolutely zero value and your applications will be immediately rejected in virtually all Gulf countries. There is no way around the fact that you will have to do this Master's on campus/Face-to-Face if you want to use this specific qualification to get a job in these particular countries |
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BritishTeacher1985
Joined: 30 Apr 2014
Posts: 28
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| Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2017 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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| I know what you mean, I'm not one to put all my eggs in one basket and for me, the PhD will qualify as the highest qualification which was not a distance learning degree neither was the CELTA. Therefore, if I am shortlisted for roles, then that's the first hurdle complete. Time will tell, I managed to get shortlisted this time which surprised me slightly as I still have a few more months to go before I submit the thesis. |
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RustyShackleford
Joined: 13 May 2013
Posts: 449
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 12:02 am Post subject: |
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| bigdurian wrote: |
Be motivated yourself. By this I mean care about your students' progress. You can't expect them to care if you don't either.
Take an interest in them. Learn about where they're from, what they like to do. Show an interest however alien what they do may seem to you.
I also use a lot of humour in class. Saudis don't like serious, so if you can crack a few jokes as you go along, it makes your day a lot better too. It helps if you can be relaxed. Saudis are very friendly and sociable people. I haven't come across any animosity in class, even when I've had to do things that will have repercussions for the students.
Be strict. Have rules, and follow them to the letter. Make sure they know that if they step out of line there will be consequences. This is especially true in a military setting where they're going to get punished or lose points. |
This has been the polar opposite of what I dealt with but then again I may have done some things not up to snuff either. Bluntly, when I saw my motivation and efforts at caring weren't given back or subverted against me, my empathy towards the glorified children in class vanished completely.
Not saying you're wrong. In fact, I think you're on point. I'm just placing this to say that this is easier said than done and provide some food for thought towards anyone considering the Kingdom. |
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bigdurian
Joined: 05 Feb 2014
Posts: 401
Location: Flashing my lights right behind you!
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:37 am Post subject: |
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| RustyShackleford wrote: |
| bigdurian wrote: |
Be motivated yourself. By this I mean care about your students' progress. You can't expect them to care if you don't either.
Take an interest in them. Learn about where they're from, what they like to do. Show an interest however alien what they do may seem to you.
I also use a lot of humour in class. Saudis don't like serious, so if you can crack a few jokes as you go along, it makes your day a lot better too. It helps if you can be relaxed. Saudis are very friendly and sociable people. I haven't come across any animosity in class, even when I've had to do things that will have repercussions for the students.
Be strict. Have rules, and follow them to the letter. Make sure they know that if they step out of line there will be consequences. This is especially true in a military setting where they're going to get punished or lose points. |
This has been the polar opposite of what I dealt with but then again I may have done some things not up to snuff either. Bluntly, when I saw my motivation and efforts at caring weren't given back or subverted against me, my empathy towards the glorified children in class vanished completely.
Not saying you're wrong. In fact, I think you're on point. I'm just placing this to say that this is easier said than done and provide some food for thought towards anyone considering the Kingdom. |
Well I have probably been lucky with the students I've had. I know everyone's experience is different.
Teaching officers is an absolute nightmare. The worst going. Walking on egg shells all day long.
But the enlisted men are okay.
But I definitely believe that having a good rapport with them makes your life easier. Anything to make the day go quicker in fact. |
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Londonlover
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 90
Location: London
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 9:51 am Post subject: |
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| BritishTeacher1985 wrote: |
| I know what you mean, I'm not one to put all my eggs in one basket and for me, the PhD will qualify as the highest qualification which was not a distance learning degree neither was the CELTA. Therefore, if I am shortlisted for roles, then that's the first hurdle complete. Time will tell, I managed to get shortlisted this time which surprised me slightly as I still have a few more months to go before I submit the thesis. |
I am guessing (others might know better) that your PhD in Education also might not secure you the best type of Gulf jobs. (though of course people can get some Gulf jobs even with bachelor level and CELTA)
The best jobs want the MA TESOL done on campus. The fact you do not have this specific qualification and done through this mode of learning might explain your unsuccessful interviews with places like Aramco. You are competing with people far more relevantly qualified. If you are serious about these Saudi jobs for the future, you know what qualification you need and how you need to study it. If you do your MA TESOL distance learning it will not benefit you AT ALL for Saudi jobs- so pointless doing it if you specifically want to work there. |
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siologen
Joined: 25 Oct 2016
Posts: 336
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 10:47 am Post subject: re: agree... |
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| Quote: |
| You are competing with people far more relevantly qualified. If you are serious about these Saudi jobs for the future, you know what qualification you need and how you need to study it. If you do your MA TESOL distance learning it will not benefit you AT ALL for Saudi jobs- so pointless doing it if you specifically want to work there. |
EDITED .
Last edited by siologen on Fri Feb 10, 2017 12:36 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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