Job Discussion Forums

[scot47]

The musical person called CAT STEVENS assumed the name YUSUF ISLAM when he reverted to the One True Faith of Islam.

[grahamb]

31 seems au fait with the cost of "girlfriends" in Bahrain.

[31]

Yes, 30 dinars an hour or 60 for the night. Newbies may get stiffed for 40 and Sat-Tues you may be able to get it down a bit and have your pick of the lookers.

[Bebsi]

At first Kubercat, I was getting worried about you, thinking that maybe the serious daughter of Patsy (or of the one played by Jennifer Saunders?), in the TV series, Absolutely Fabulous had taken up a career in TEFL.

Anyway, I have found that even in Saudi, while caution is certainly required in how one approaches the subjects of religion and to a lesser extent, politics, a paranoid aversion to those subjects is not necessary. I have often spoken about religion, politics, etc in class, but admittedly within a well-defined topic.

For example, students have asked me "what is a church, teacher?" and I have replied that it is a place where Christians go to pray, as Muslims go to the Mosque. On another occasion, I was asked what "bible" meant. These words, incidentally, had arisen in reading comprehension classes. I told them, truthfully, that the bible is the holy book of Christians just as the Quran is the holy book of Islam. In both of these, and other cases, they maturely accepted those answers and asked some further intelligent, reasonable questions.

At one point, I used to get slagged in a good natured way about going to Bahrain at weekends. On being asked what I did there, I replied (tongue almost sticking out my ear) that I took the course books there so I could study and do special class preparation for the week. We would all have a good chuckle....well, OK, uproarious laughter! A lot depends on how well you get to know them, and the attitude you take with them. I do believe that extreme kid-gloves, which can make life very stressful for any teacher, are not that necessary, just reasonable discretion.

Don't say that you visited the museums, though: that is a code for another activity better associated with certain urban destinations such as Bahrain and Dubai. I once DID visit a museum in Bahrain, and when I said so with a straight face, they fell around laughing

[dmb]

[Bebsi]

I was earnestly referring to a visit to an establishment where one goes to view ancient artifacts of historic and social interest and significance(no, not the Al J*****a hotel in the centre where, some would argue, rather ancient relics can certainly be seen

[dmb]

I know you were Bebsi( I really have to work on my sense of humour) Anyway, 31, do you know the current admission fees for the museum?

[Bebsi]

Would I be correct in saying that the fees probably vary in accordance with the age of the exhibits??????????????????

I also imagine that there's a significant mid-week reduction. Late night at weekends is, I reckon, the most expensive time, but don't ask me what the fees are. My students might know, however!!!!

What do you mean you have to work on your sense of humour? I think you've got a pretty-well developed sense of humour.....ok, your tongue appears to be firmly ear-bound, a bit like mine, but in this part of the world that's a necessity.