Job Discussion Forums

[shutendoji]

Hello,
I was just offered a position teaching ESL to the Royal Saudi Naval Force in Dammam. From what I've read on the boards people seem to have mixed feelings on teaching ESL to the military- can anyone elaborate? I've heard the students can be immature and hard to control, while the textbooks and curriculum are laughably out of date. Others say that you only work five hours a day and life is pretty laid-back. Anyone have any specific experience in Dammam?
The pay is 10,000RS/month with free housing, food, medical / dental (in military clinics), and free transportation.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you have...

[moonpie]

Are you qalified to teach ESL? Find a better job in the Middle East. if you have the qualifications. TINS in Dammam is a terrible job. The management believes in the divide and control theory of management. The students are treated badly and are very often not paid for months on end. They're harassed at night and when they sleep in your class you are held responsible. Housing is a joke. The buildings are falling down and water floods in. They were paying 10000 per month for ten years. The place is a haven for very odd people what with your mix of gays and Western Islamic fundamentalists who hate you and let you know it daily.

If you are the kind of person who doesn't mind maltreatment and can endure it for years on end you might succeed there.

Hope this helps

Moon

[shutendoji]

[Queen of Sheba]

It's true, I have only heard of Western nutty fundamentalist Muslim converts in Dammam. The problem with them is that they will ostracize you and make you feel very uncomfortable because they are in the majority and they are intolerant of your teaching style and beliefs. It may be a chance for them to get revenge after years of oppression in the West.

If you have ESL experience and are relatively sane look around in Saudi Arabia, as you may have a better chance than you think at landing a job. People ask for more qualifications than they will actually hire because they may want to attract the cream of the crop and they maybe desparate for ESL teachers without a terrorist twist.

[Paul in Saudi]

Are you in contact with Ted K? He is a real straight-shooter. He will give you the truth.

I spent five years there. It can be rough. The students are not the best. The program of instruction may have been designed to teach the South Vietnamese. On the other hand it is stable and you can do it with minimal prep.

The work is steady, a pay raise every year. It adds up. Plus a very generous vacation schedule.

You co-workers include every sort of oddball. People like me for example. On the other hand there are enough of them that you can find some who are just about a nutty as you. I made good friends there.

All in all? A good place to start. I like my new job better, but I learned my trade at TINS. Lots of us did.

[Incognito]

I have to agree with Paul in Saudi. If you are dealing with Ted, you will have a VERY clear picture of what lies in store for you. Listen to him, he won't steer you wrong.

[moonpie]

I must reply to the comment "He won't steer you wrong"

Stalin once stood in front of an audience of his own officials. He picked up a chicken and started ripping the feathers out of the poor animal. He finished tearing the feathers off and placed the chicken back on its feet. Stalin walked away about twenty feet and placed some grain on the ground. The freshly mutilated bird followed him and ate the grain. Stalin then went on to state to his followers that ""People are the same." "They need direction and will follow you no matter what you do to them."

I hardly think talking to an institutionalized person is a decent way of getting a balanced view of the situation at TINS.

Moon

[shutendoji]

I was contacted by a man named Charles (MOD edit) about the position.... he was from the contracting company "Pannesma" if that helps any.

I think I will look into getting a CELTA or a higher certification in TESL, and maybe look into Saudi Arabi in another year or so. Dammam sounds interesting, but with a few more years experience I could probably be a bit more picky in where I go. Thanks again for all the advice.

Oh.. on a totally different note... Queen and Moonpie both mentioned Western Fundamentalists, and I have to ask... are they Arab-Americans who decided to get back to their religious roots, or are they actually blonde haired blue eyed westerners who decided that Islam was the way to go?

[moonpie]

deleted

[Paul in Saudi]

A person who comes to Saudi Arabia to convert the locals to Islam. Some can be a little odd.

[ckhl]

what with your mix of gays and Western Islamic fundamentalists

Excuse me? Who's the narrow minded homophobe?

[Paul in Saudi]

[moonpie]

deleted

[Paul in Saudi]

Of course you are right. There are many broken, bitter busybodies out there who unable to help anyone prefer to take out their frustrations on passersby.

[Mark100]

I knew a few guys that worked at TINs and i heard some very interesting stories about the place.

I would try KFMMC first in Dhahran or one of the contracting companies that contracts for Aramco as these places don't require more than a degree and TESOL certification. They would be better options but as I have said many times before if you are desperate for cash now you could probably do a year or two max at TINs. If nothing else it will be an interesting experience.

Paul in S might be able to elaborate but i remember stories of bells ringing and students being physically evicted from classrooms?