Job Discussion Forums

riyadh1974 · Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 17

I am currently working in Riyadh and tried to apply for an ELT post with BAe in Riyadh. I can't see why they expect such high qualifications - Diploma + MA in TEFL/Applied linguistics! Surely experience in the gulf is more important than an MA. Frankly an MA has no teaching value when training military cadets! (I mean no disrespect to colleagues who have the MA). Given the huge salary they offer (almost 27000 riyals/month) it seems they still have not been able to recruit teachers. Their ad has been on TEFL.com since August last year!

Are BAe really so particular about having so many qualifications? Do they make exceptions?

Can anyone shed any light?

Sand Trapped · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 25

I can only guess that the MA requirement is a way for them to justify the high salary (by FAR the highest I've ever seen for ELTs) to their Saudi hosts. I have the MA, and I've taught military, and yes, I agree that it's not necessary for teaching them.

Sidebar--though I have the MA and 4 years of experience teaching in KSA, they turned me down because I don't have a LONO from my most recent job there. This despite the fact that I informed them that I have a new passport (my old one expired last year.) I've had other employers tell me that a new passport is a way around the LONO. Oh, well.

Best of luck.

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

Still, a top-notch gig if you can get it.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

frıends and colleagues who have worked them are enthusıastıc about the money but negatıve about everythıng else.

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

You only need a Masters degree for the Riyadh gig.

If you work at the airbase in Dharhan you have to have a full one year diploma.

They are still recruiting for Dhahran i believe.
I think that they need about 50 teachers as i was told the other day.

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

Sandtrapped

You should have applied and told them that you have been out of Saudi for the last two years.

Very easy to do.

Sand Trapped · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 25

Mark100

I really don't want to start a job knowing that I've omitted information from my resume to get it. I'd have to do the same on the BAE application, too--not worth it to me, even for $7000+ per month.

But I did ask them to contact me if they still need teachers in November, when I turn back from a pumpkin to a teacher as far as the Saudis are concerned. The fact that they keep advertising, and considering your comment about them needing 50 teachers (WOW--just how big is this gig of theirs, anyway??) indicates they will probably still be fishing then. Time will tell.

Scot47

I have no doubt it's a very stressful teaching environment and thus difficult to stay motivated to even go in every morning. But, in addition to the megabucks, I heard that the accommodations are pretty nice.

And, of course, the money alows for some outstanding vacation jaunts and early retirement if one desires.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

İ hear they do not often hıre Yanks. Your use of the plural of 'accomoıdatıon' ıs a gıve-away !

Sand Trapped · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 25

I've heard that, too.

But every time they've posted the job at tefl.com they haven't displayed the familiar EU symbol indicating that they prefer EU nationals. So I applied. They e-mailed me their application but cut me off after finding out about the LONO, or rather the NO LONO.

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

In the past they never hired americans but i believe or so i have been told that this policy has now been changed and americans are being hired by BAE.

I admire your principles regarding your resume but i would say that you are going into a completely immoral environment anyway so play the game the way the Saudis do. A person with high moral values and belief systems will struggle in Saudi i would say.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

They may SAY they hıre Yanks but has anyone ever actually come across a 'Sherman Tank' workıng at Brıtısh Aerospace ?

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

I don't know any Americans working for BAE but as i said i heard that they were going to change policy in regards to hiring Americans.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I know a Brit working at Dharhan(no MA) It took 18 months after his interview before he started. Is this normal?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

There can be long waıts ınvolved. As wıth other jobs ın KSA.

EnglishBrian · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 189

Scot, dmb or anyone else. Do you have anymore info. or examples on how long people have had to wait, or how long the whole recruitment process has taken, for new BAe people? Anything more on this might be really useful in helping me make a decision. The personnel dept. in Wharton can't give me any ideas - pretty much "could be quick, could be dead slow - all down to RSAF".

Thanks very much!