Job Discussion Forums

jmsauer · Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2004 6:13 am Post subject: Questions for you vets

I plan on applying to teach English in the kingdom for next fall. I am looking for a little advice. I am a 28 year-old white single American male. I teach elementary Arabic at Indiana University and I complete my masters this spring in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures. I am Windsor TEFL certified and I was an Arabic linguist in the US army.

By the time fall rolls around I will have a year of formal teaching experience at the college level. With my masters and Windsor certification, is this enough to land me a job making $35-40K plus housing? Also, is there a chance they will consider my time in the army as teaching experience as I taught basic Arabic to infantry stationed in the Sinai?

I know the best way to find out my options is to apply, but I wanted to get an initial response from some of you. From what I've read thus far, it seems that Riyadh is dangerous and Jubail has terrible air quality. So I'm leaning towards finding something in Jedda. And I prefer not to teach to young children.

Many Thanks,

Jonathan Sauer
-Bloomington, Indiana

Gnome · Joined: 05 May 2004 Posts: 74

Keep your eyes open for jobs with US defense contractors such a Vinnel. They operate in Jeddah and Taif in the Western province. You will also see on the International Job Site that Al Yamamah College is looking for people for Riyadh. Check out their website before you apply. My impression is that your background would be of interest to them. Both groups pay the higher salaries you are looking. Being an American, with your background, would be very beneficial. As well, if you attend the TESOL Conference, wherever it is this year, you will find the type of recruiters you are looking for. And, perhaps by the time you are available, things will have settled down in Iraq, and you can apply to work there.

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

Vinnell, Booz Allen Hamilton and SALTS as well as the KSA Navy have all advertised on this board recently and prefer military background. BAe has also advertised not long ago. Do a search and these jobs will come up

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

TESOL this year is in San Antonio Texas from 3/29 to 4/2. Attending is a good idea if you can.

Not meant as a criticism or anything, but with your skills wouldn't you be of use teaching Arabic to the US troops? ...certainly a skill that they are sadly lacking.

VS

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

Avoid the Saudi Navy, it is scary, real scary. A qualified person such as yourself ought to do better than that.

jmsauer · Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2004 8:34 am Post subject:

Thanks, I will do my best to attend the conference.

As for the Army, I got out as an E4 and never wanted to be enlisted military again. Military Language Instructors are typically enlisted folk. I wouldn't mind dealing with a military environment as a civilian employee though.

Thanks,

Jonathan

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

From what İ can see for US natıonals Booze Allen Hamılton ıs the best bet - despıte the unlıkely name.

But they are mılıtary and as such wıll be a target. Someone ın Jubaıl was shot dead ın theır offıce last year

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Scot, you haven't quite sussed out the dotted (i) and undotted (ı). It takes ages, I know.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The post-Ottoman Turkish alphabet seems quite sensıble except for thıs (i) and (ı) busıness.