Job Discussion Forums

[liza]

I've just been accepted for a British Council post in Damascus! (hurrah!). the teaching position seems great but i've got a few questions for teachers working in Syria.....
1. The safety issue. I'm not over paranoid but everyone says it's the next on the list to be bombed by the US, the lonely planet website was hardly a comfort as well talking about exercising extreme caution and US citizens being sent away and the suchlike.....I'm trying to be reasonable about it, but there are a few niggling doubts. Could anyone tell me what the real situation is?? (For the record, I live in Moscow and things can be a little tense here)
2. Women living in the Middle East. I've been reading some posts and they have been quite informative. I'm also aware that Damascus does have a substantial Christian population. I have travelled in Asia and Turkey on my own so I know how to deal with being hassled. I just want to hear experiences from women teachers about their day to day lives and how their students percieve them as a teacher.
3. The teaching side. How are Syrians as language learners? What sort of materials do they respond well to? Are they communicative ? What kind of specific language error do they make?
As a teacher, I try and make my lessons as communicative as possible and I'm very much into discovery methods. This has met with quite a good reaction with my students in Poland and Russia.
4. Lifestyle. I'll be coming to Damascus as a 31 year old single woman. I'm very independent and indeed I prefer to have quite a local lifestyle. is this possible? And despite my age, I still enjoy partying at the weekends. Although I know that I'm here to work, I still would like to know what teachers do at their weekends.
I hope my questions weren't too irritating.....
thanks

[QatarChic]

I have never been (but would love to go there sometime) but mates (females)who lived/worked there told me that Syrians are a lot quieter than say Egyptians/Jordanians/Lebanese (who are very lively- I mean this in a positive way) and more reserved but they were also very friendly! Security wise- it's fine and they said it was a great country, lots of amazing sites to see, things to do- they never felt threatened in any ways- Sorry couldn't help anymore

[dmb]

[veiledsentiments]

[basiltherat]

Damascus is great. If you dont pick up this opportunity, you may regret it. I have been here in Syria for over 3 years and have been treated with great respect. I have never felt threatened which has come as a surprise to me even now. The syrians are an hospitable people and their generosity is second to none. Whats more their sense of humour is also second to none.
Clearly, one has to use his common sense. Visiting border areas or discussing border matters is a sensitive issue and should avoid being discussed. Also in depth conversations regarding religion and s@xual matters should be avoided. I have spent time both in the steppe areas (east) and in damascus, where I am now. Desert region is short on recreation naturally but even there , i felt no hostility towards me.
In short, western media has a lot to be responsible for in making this country to look like its the most evil nation on earth. Absolute rubbish !

Females should have no problems. This is not Saudi. Women have as many rights as men and are treated as equals in Damascus where yul be. The Eastern provinces are slightly different though.

[veiledsentiments]

Hey Basiltherat,

Do they export any oil or do they keep it all for their own use?

VS

(Did you ever teach much Academic reading? If I had $1 for every time I heard - 'but miss, what is the CORRECT answer?' - I could have retired years earlier. They never quite accepted that there could be more than one answer to an open ended question.)

[basiltherat]

yep, well, certainly the amount of oil/gas it produces now would not warrant the US's interest in it. Actually news has it that Royal Dutch (Shell) cud be pulling out soon due to the unprofitability of remaining.
If US wanted access to - more - cheap oil,yes, Iran would certainly seem to be be their next 'tatget'. still, thats politics.

vs
ive pm-ed you with my other comments
basil

[veiledsentiments]

Thanks Basil... VS

[kernow]

Hi, Liza

I've travelled to Damascus a few times since I've been in Lebanon and have had a great time every time. Obviously I was there as a visitor but certainly everyone was very welcoming. As a woman, I didn't exerience any problems, although people sometimes stare a bit, more out of curiosity than anything else.

The security issue always looks worse on CNN et al. The situation on the ground is very different.

Unlike VS, I found more people spoke English than French. Basil, what's your experience?

And, don't forget, if you can't find the weekend entertainment you're after in Damascus, Beirut, clubbing capital of the ME, is only a 2-hour, $10 taxi ride away!

[basiltherat]

yes. ive heard french spoken but i dont think its any more often spoken than english.
Learning English is very big thing here. its clearly going to be another country from where we will see a lot more postings on dave's say in 5 to 10 years time. demand for language training is high. im having to turn work down. ive decided that theres no way im gonna put myself thru more than 50 contact hours a week (now on 49).
getting back to the question, though, french is soon going to be a thing of the past here. the elderly may retain it but the great majority of youth have little interest.
btw, i think wat makes this city so attractive is the hill (mountain), Qassion at the foot of which damascus stands. for me, it must be the most attractive capital in the region. Amman is attractice due to its hilly location n ive yet to go to beirut but damascus will be difficult to beat.
basil

[Brooks]

good luck Liz. At least the weather will be better than in Moscow.
And the food as well. I used to have good Syrian food when I was living in Morocco.

[tjholmes]

Please could I ask your advice on working for Damascus Language Institute and your professional opinions on the following job offer which I've received � i.e. in the context of my having a B.A. (Ancient Near Eastern Languages), Cambridge CELTA and no teaching experience?
I�m dead keen to land my first teaching post and 2/3 years experience in the Levant or the Yemen. However, I'm worried that I've been offered this teaching post - following only e-mail correspondence and a really brief chat on the telephone with Mr.Maher Abul-Zahab, the school�s director.

Job Description:-
� Teaching 18+yrs students, three days a week: Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
� Teaching Time: 5:00- 6:15pm | 6:30- 7:45pm | 8:00- 9:15pm
� TOTAL 12hrs 45 mins teaching time per week with 3 meetings per day x 3 days a week
� US$8 per meeting = total US$72 per week x 4 = US$288 per month.
� The school recommends that one should be able to "secure at least US$300 more teaching privately per month" and is able to "help you finding (sic!) students who require private tuition and who can pay US$12-13 per meeting, most of these are students preparing for the IELTS or the TOEFL". Accommodation is described as "you can find a nearby good flat of one bedroom at US$150 per month".

What I�m looking for:-
Though I have seven years work experience in other industries, my expectations for my first post as an inexperienced teacher aren�t high. I want some varied ELT experience (young learners & adults) under my belt with mind to having a little time to improve my Syrian/Yemeni colloquial Arabic and to acclimatise to El-Shami/San'ani society. Please share your wisdom!
Cheers, Tim Holmes.

[veiledsentiments]

tj

I have never heard of this place... hopefully Basiltherat is reading and perhaps he knows something.

You are not exactly going to get rich, but it sounds like a foot in the door. It will get you into the country, and pay most of your bills... maybe. (that is assuming you don't have financial obligations back home.) It will take a few months, but once you have picked up some private students, you should do fine.

This sounds like a perfect opportunity to improve your Arabic skills and get some experience to put on the CV. One thing you might check into is whether this employer is going to provide you with a work visa. And if not... what are the ramifications?

VS

[basiltherat]

nope. havent heard of it but i will ask around. get back to you. and, yes, i absoltely concur with VS on those comments
basil

[basiltherat]

no one ive spoken to seems to have heard of the place. has it just opened up, perhaps. maybe ask. will keep asking around though.
best
basil