Job Discussion Forums

barmadu · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 43

Just finished teaching for a year in Sana'a and absolutely loved it. Sure if you're the type that believes the western media scare tactics and are looking for Dubai, maybe it isn't the place for you. However, if you're looking for great students who are very eager to learn and SO appreciative of qualified teachers, this is the place to be. Look up the people at www.arabicinyemen.com and you won't be sorry. Feel free to contact me about it.

ntropy · Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 671 Location: ghurba

Who did you work for in Sana'a Barmadu? It's definitely a fascinating city.

barmadu · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 43

I worked for MALI and they were fine. They are upgrading and have become a Cambridge International Examinations Centre. I know that they are often looking for qualified teachers, the bad press that Yemen always gets makes it hard to get people to go there, that and most of the teachers headed to the gulf are only there for the money, definitely not the reason to go to Yemen. That said, wages are really fair.

Catlady · Joined: 30 Mar 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Sasaktchewan, Canada

I had an interview with a small, private school in Sana'a, and it sounded very intriguing. I'm waiting for details, but if there is anything more you can tell me about the place, the people and the customs, I'd really appreciate it.

barmadu · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 43

Well, in order to tell you about the school, you'd have to tell me the name of it. As for Sana'a, I would suggest really doing your homework before going. While my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our time there, it is obviously not for everyone. We saw more than a few people who came there thinking it was Dubai or Amman, run for the airport screaming when they realized that there are only 2 chain restaurants in the country. That said, we were there exactly because it wasn't/isn't Dubai! The people are genuine, in all senses. They hold their beliefs very profoundly, and this is what makes it such a safe and welcoming place, but these very beliefs are also what makes it seem somewhat backward to some.
Investigate, and if you feel it's somewhere you'd enjoy, by all means get on that plane!

meastfreak · Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Posts: 9

How much was your pay at MALI? I spent 5 months in Sanaa studying arabic, thinking of going back to teach and study, but we'll see.

Yemen is definitly a place worth checking out. Living and working there though, you really should know what you're getting into. Its as conservative as Saudi but w/out the western conviences.

Eijse · Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Yemen (Aden)

meastfreak · Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Posts: 9

Eijse · Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Yemen (Aden)

rcaesar9 · Joined: 13 Nov 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Hello to all out there in ESL land. I came across this discussion and wanted to put in my own two-bits about Sana'a and MALI. I found Sana'a a wonderful place, and Yemen a delightful country. The people are wonderful, the food is excellent, and the historical sites breathtaking. I would go back in a second.
Regarding MALI, i found it an extremely well structured school with great staff. I was impressed, deeply, with the people working there and especially with the director Mazen Luqman. A great individual to work for, and a wonderful man. I would suggest anyone take a position at MALI. The teaching was great, the students were hardworking and motivated, and the Arabic was excellent. I deeply enjoyed every aspect of my experience in Yemen, Sana'a and with MALI. Please, if anyone is thinking of teaching in the Middle East, go there. If anyone has any questions for me regarding my experiences you can e-mail me at [email protected]
I would be happy to help in any way possible.
God bless you all and i pray you have wonderful journeys, all of you.
sincerely,
Rob

patchwork · Joined: 23 Aug 2004 Posts: 55 Location: in transit

i sent them an email but it bounces back

does anyone have any info on how i can apply for a job there? i am very interested

blondie888 · Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 2

Yes, when I got to Yemen I thought it was a lovely safe country too. All that terrorism stuff really was nonsense. And people are sooo friendly. . .

Well, it's five months later and I am very wary when and where I go out on the streets now.

I know that a lot of capital cities have their problems - especially ones that are growing as quickly as Sana'a - but this place is really really bad.
If you walk down Hadda Street - one of the 'nicest' areas - you can expect the odd comment from passersby. It will either be in Arabic or in English and will sometimes be 'Welcome' or sometimes it will be a comment on your anatomy or something worse.

If you walk around the old city or Tahrir (the very centre of the city) you can expect to have every single person yell loud offensive abuse (*beep* you. Suck my cock. . . and a lot worse.) What makes these comments unbearable is that they come from everyone of every age and it occurs every few steps you take, the people are often in groups and it is yelled in your face so that it goes right through you. Often (at least once a day) some one will touch me. Sometimes (once or twice a month) a nice person will defend me. This abuse occurs whether you are fully covered, foreign or Yemeni or whether you wear jeans and a t-shirt. My friend wearing a baltoh was spat upon whilst shopping.

Anyway, the main reason for writing this is so that people take care when they come here. When I first came, I thought it was safe and I walked everywhere. Now I and several of my friends have had attacks after dark where no one has helped us. People have followed me home, tried to push my door open and my friend managed to get away from an attempted rape (he ripped her clothes off) with only her head split open. This is serious.