Job Discussion Forums

[Steve Ellis]

Hi,

I have been offered a teaching post by the Saudi British Center in Saudi Arabia. Surprised me really, as I am 56 and relatively inexperienced. Anyway, the point it I am really not sure about it. The contact guy seems friendly,and wants me to move quickly(telling me he will send airfare in advance if I can get out there with in a month), but their draft contract was so full of a flaws and contradictions which worries me. They are now evidently sorting it out, but Ihave yet to see the revision. Their website is 'under constrtuction' so it is proving difficult to find out anything about them.

I am trying to remain open minded, but a further catalyst for my concern was a post on here, from 2002, which I came across before I joined Dave's ESL Cafe by doing a general seach on the web. It reads:

"I advise anyone who is considering to work at the Saudi British Centre to have a good long look at other places first. It is not a place where you can feel secure. The hours are terrible. Although the pay is ok, you still have to beg for it at the beginning of each month rather than being given it.
The manager doesn't know how to manager. Hand to mouth solutions and no appreciation. Please don't make the same mistake i did".

I would appreciate and comments or advice from anyone who knows of or works for this organisation. Thanks in advance.

Best wishes,

Steve Ellis

[veiledsentiments]

I'd guess that the place hasn't improved since 2002... seems an awfully long time for a web site to be under construction.

It all comes down to how badly you need the money. At your age (a very familiar number to me...), but especially with a lack of experience, and presumably no MA?, you don't have a lot of choices.

Check out the Berlitz thread below for some discussion of the better language schools in Saudi.

VS

[johnyarrington]

Steve: I did some part-time work for these people once, and it was a disaster. I did get paid, in full, but not really on time. You sort of have to beg, threaten, cajole, and persuade. In spite of this, I guess because I didn't have the 10 years of experience that I now have in Saudi Arabia (I was "hungry" at the time, like most guys who first come here), I went there again to check into teaching for them again. I had gotten a call from an African-American Muslim guy who was handling things for them.

The second course never got off the ground, and now I'm glad it didn't.

I knew a guy who was recruited from the States to work there (but I don't know who the recruiter was), and he lasted about 2 months. He had problems with his Iqama, his schedule, his pay, his housing.......you name it, it was a problem.

They used to be located over on Sitteen St, near the city's stadium, but they must have moved because the building has looked abandoned for a couple years now.

My impression is......strictly a second-rate (or third) operation.

I wouldn't do it if I were you. If you have 3 questions now, you'll have 30 when you get here.

[Steve Ellis]

Thanks for replies. Confirming my reservations, really. I doubt I will progress it.

Cheers,

Steve