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jonks · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 1240

Hi All,

As of August, I think I may be living in Saudi Arabia, and I would just like to pick your knowledge about the country before hand.

As a teacher I certainly favour a communicative approach, and in Asia, I often adapt authentic materials to use in the classroom.

I've found that using stories about prominent historical figures have worked well ('Lee Su Shin' in Korea for example) and I generally like to use content that has a local flavour.

My question is this. What kind of materials would be deemed appropriate for use in the L2 classroom in Saudi, or perhaps more importantly, what kind of materials would be deemed as being inappropriate.

Obviously, I want to keep away from sexual content, and probably Jewish folklore, but can I use extracts from the Koran in class? How about extracts from books like "Arabian Nights"? My intuition tells me this would be a no-no. Is it appropriate to use political topics in the classroom?

Sorry if this seems a little silly to all of you well-versed expats of the kingdom, but I have almost no experience with Saudi students or culture (other than a young Saudi girl who I was teaching at a language school in Melbourne).

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

It is unlikely that you will be able to produce teaching materials. These are usually provided - after being approved.

Attempts to use the Koran or any religious material in class would not be a good idea.

Most students in KSA are nor great readers and have fairly limited general knowledge.

Mohammad · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 79

I think you need to do some research on their culture, religion, country, etc, before you actually go out there!

jamesfromscotland · Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 23

seriously ..don't try to be a good teacher here in the respect you would like to bring other materials into the classroom..get in.... .do the book..take the money..trust me

They believe in the Koran as a bible ..teaching books come under the same umbrella..deviation means you are a bad teacher

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

James

I wouild not say that they value 'Headway' in the same way that they value the last revelation of the Almighty ! There is THE BOOK and then there are books !

jonks · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 1240

Thanks for the response people.

"I think you need to do some research on their culture, religion, country, etc, before you actually go out there!"
Thanks for that Mohammad. Your advice is good, but it seems to ignore the fact that that is what I am trying to do by posting this thread.
By the way, I have a degree in religious studies, and I've been spending the last six months reading up on various web-sites about the country.

"seriously ..don't try to be a good teacher here in the respect you would like to bring other materials into the classroom..get in.... .do the book..take the money..trust me "
Cheers James! Aren't we just the beacon of light and hope...
(seriously - your point is taken aboard, and I respect what you have said)

"It is unlikely that you will be able to produce teaching materials. These are usually provided - after being approved.
Attempts to use the Koran or any religious material in class would not be a good idea.
Most students in KSA are nor great readers and have fairly limited general knowledge."
Thanks scot47. As I don't know much about the actual PEDAGOGICAL situation in Saudi, it is nice to learn what is and isn't acceptable, and a little about the students whom I am likely to meet there.

While the Saudi forum seems to be full of information about what I can TAKE from the country (i.e. money, benefits, booze, [no] women) I have read surprisingly little about teaching related issues.

If I can use some materials (outside of the course-writer's 'fast-food English') to make my lessons more appealing to my learners, then I will attempt to do so. The reason I posted the message was to find out if this was feasible or not - I guess not.
If my possible future employers resent me using suplementary materials in the classroom (and I am guessing this to be the case from everyone's much valued input), then I will abide by their wishes. I just want to be prepared - that's all.

Thank-you for the comments everyone - they have deflated my bubble a bit but also given me a more realistic idea of the situation in Saudi.
My take from all of this is:

*don't bother trying to use anything other than the set texts
*forget about topic related input into lesson planning
and
*don't try to motivate students with interesting, (culturally) acceptable material

Seems a bit sad guys, but I REALLY appreciate the advice from people who can tell me what (and what not) to expect.
I guess I am going to have to 'hone-up' on adapting my teaching techniques to make my approach more interesting (while the content may not be).

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I would keep quiet about having a degree in Religious Studies. Tell the students if they ask (as they will) that your degree is in English.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

There are plenty of places where extra materials will be welcomed. However wait until you have been here some time to test the water.

For example, outside of the Magic Kingdom it would be difficult to realize that the most controversial chapter in Headway is the one on Headway Elementary Chapter 2 entitled "What's my name?" or something similar. The reason? One of the activities involves students asking each other about their sister's names! The lesson just grinds to a halt round about there!

substance · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Posts: 38

Just draw a few stick girls on the board and name em Aa'isha, Sameerah etc... that's what i did when i had that problem... got round it nicely.. and put a few smiles on their faces!

jonks · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 1240

Thanks all.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

I just gave each student a card with an imaginary name and family tree. All objections then disappeared.

jamesfromscotland · Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 23

I once tried to do a superlative quiz..longest..deepest..usual crap..one student told me .....

....how I expect to know highest mountain?

I felt like Mallory...because it's there

In March 1923, in an interview with The New York Times, the British mountaineer George Leigh Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, and replied, 'Because it's there'. The answer became famous, not least because Mallory himself was lost on Everest in the following year. It was sometimes suggested that he and his fellow-climber Andrew Irvine, who were last seen 'going strong for the summit', might in fact have reached it before their deaths, but there was no proof.

In May 1999, 75 years later, the body of George Mallory was found on Everest, and the press coverage surrounding the discovery focused again on Mallory's 'Because it's there' as a statement summarizing the mountaineer's reasons for climbing. One such report quoted from Robert William Service's `Dauntless Quest', which was inspired by Mallory's words:

Why seek to scale Mount Everest,
Queen of the Air,
Why strive to crown that cruel crest
And deathward dare?
Said Mallory of dauntless quest
`Because it's there.'

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Amongst students in Saudi Arabia knowledge of the outside world - and indeed of Saudi Arabia - is pretty limited.

Don't expect them to know where or what Everest is.

jamesfromscotland · Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 23

They are uneducated fucks..full stop....the US Scouts could take out their army .....I became a teacher to help people ..these people are beyond help.....stay in Saudi..earn your money but are you becoming a better person..you have skills that can help people and communites ..money or a conscience..it's difficult

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

You became a teacherto help people ?

I became a teacher to pay for my daily bread.

There's the difference.