Job Discussion Forums

[Bob Gorn]

As it often does, the conversation on this board has degenerated into inane, useless, and personal commentary. While I liked the pig picture, pig-eating in Korea has nothing to do with starting a job in KSA.

Let's go in this direction: what general advice would you give for a new teacher during his/her first week in KSA? I would suggest the following:

Do not rush to judgment. The nice person who picks you up at the hotel may be a spy for the administration. Don't tell that person ANYTHING, especially about your "immoral" habits regarding drinking or women.

Do not criticize anything related to the workplace. Just keep a smile on your face and say that everything is fine. The time to criticize will come later, but you don' want to be labelled as "high maintenance" right off the bat.

Do your best to become as self-sufficient as possible as quickly as possible. Learn to take taxis and do not expect work representatives to help you get your villa/flat settled. Again, avoid the impression of being "high maintenance"

Get a mobile ASAP. This is the key to becoming self-sufficient quickly.

Be careful about the health testing. It is possible that the person who takes you to this test will learn everything about your health, and he could use it against you later or even spread it as gossip around the compound. Keep your health information as private as possible.

Tell your children and/or wife to not reveal personal information to other children/wives on the compound. Also, tell your children to observe the same safety precautions as they would at home. Nobody knows if the people on your compound have had adequate criminal background checks. They can no more assume that the "Western" staff is safe than they can assume that the Saudi staff is safe.

Postpone judgment. You cannot judge Saudi society in a week. It will take many years before you can even begin to understand a society that is so different from ours. Be respectful, keep your eyes and ears open, and try to learn something. Don't be so quick to slam that mind shut.

Sorry to sound so paranoid, but these ideas have worked for me in the past, and I've seen others fall into trouble quickly by not following these kinds of rules.

[Cleopatra]

The first piece of advice I would give is not to assume that everyone is male, and has dependent relatives. Because this is what the OP does.

[Bob Gorn]

More advice from ol' Bob:

Don't go into class with some huge authoritarian chip on your shoulder.
Keep it under control, but keep it fun. If these students don't bond with you on a personal level in the first week, your life is going to be pure hell.

Don't go in with great expectations regarding their academic performance. Many of your students will fall into the "bright but lazy" category. Many of them have not received an adequate secondary education, and you will have to kindly, gently catch them up to this.

Keep meticulous records. Students do tend to blame teachers whenever a problem comes up, and you'll need to be able to back yourself up.

Have fun with the students. Saudi students really appreciate humor, and they also appreciate it when you get to know their names and something personal about each one of them. Use those "people skills" that EFL teachers are so famous for!

[Cleopatra]

Leaving aside your assumption that we are all men with compound wives, I think your advice is pretty sound.

I think the importance of being self-sufficient, both psychologically and practically, is very important and is often overlooked. I think it is vital that teachers come here with the expectation that nobody - whether their fellow expats or the local managements - is going to go out of their way to settle them in and make them feel welcome. And then, if you do indeed find that some of your colleagues are making an effort to help you, you will be pleasantly surprised, because you did not take it for granted. I have known so many people -usually women - who very quickly get depressed and dejected when they find that most people simply let newcomers fend for themselves. I know, because this is how I felt when I first came here. I had been told that my fellow 'expats' would go out of their way to welcome me into their social circle and so on, and was rather let down when I found out that wasn't the case.

If I had come here knowing that I was going to be more or less on my own, I wouldn't have been nearly so apprehensive in my early weeks, and I quickly got over it as I'm self-sufficient by nature. But so many of the women I've met develop a kind of sense of entitlement that never leaves them during their time here. They seem to expect that everyone else should invite them to their parties, take them shopping, introduce them to their friends etc. Maybe there should be more solidarity among expats - and certainly employers should do more to help new arrivals in the early days, esp. if they are women - but that's how it is. I have consistently found that the people who are happiest here are the ones who can stand on their own feet and make their own lives. Best to get used to this from the start.

[Bob Gorn]

My apologies for referring only to compound wives and not to compound husbands. There certainly are fewer compound husbands, but the suggestions I've made apply to them as well.

One more paranoid alert: be careful what you say to your housecleaner or to any compound or workplace staff. Most expats share part-time housecleaners, and your dirty laundry can quite literally be aired all over the compound if you are not discreet. If you don't want everyone to know about your little stash of special "grape juice" it would be better to put it away carefully before your cleaner arrives. Same goes for family discord. Don't fight in front of the housekeeper, or rumors of your impending divorce will spread like wildfire around the compound!

[Latteegirl1974]

One little trick that I always use is having students fill out index cards about themselves. They can list their name,special interests, sports, travel locations etc..... This help me to incorporate their interests into the lesssons and make personal connections.

If the class is at level zero, than I suggest drawing lots of pictures, and becoming a mime. If anyone asks what you are doing tell them it's the new method called The silent way.

Has anyone even used this in their classroom. Theories always sound great until you actually get up to teach and say nothing. This is the new Al Yamamah way. I don't know if I can follow their philosophy. I am really unsure about this contract.
Thanks for the advice BOB, but don't forget about the handful of women who visit this forum. I liked the advice and it will definateely come in handy.

[Cleopatra]

Instead of saying be cautious in front of this or that person, I would say be cautious about what you say in front of anyone until you get to know them better. Of course, this is common sense, but it applies all the more in a place like KSA, where gossip and living out of one another's pockets is a way of life.

I also go along with Bob's classroom advice. Be firm but not draconian, and above all, don't patronise your students, however childish they may seem to you. If you build up a good rapport with your students, you will find that they seek to be 'good', not for its own sake, but because they like you and want to please you. At least that's how it is with the girls. As Bob says, if you don't manage to build up a good professional relationship with the students, teaching will not be too much fun. You'll probably find that the students will mostly do as you say, but remember, however docile and polite they may seem in class, they have a funny ability to get their way in the end.

[Bob Gorn]

Sorry, latteegirl, but I don't understand what "way" you are talking about. You mention the silent way, and then you also talk about the Al Yamamah way. Have you signed a contract with Al Yamamah? Do they have a particular teaching methodology that they espouse? Give us more details and maybe we can help.

[Latteegirl1974]

Yeah Bob. you hit the nail on the head. It's a new theory and the teacher steps back and says nothing. I am still trying to research it.

[Latteegirl1974]

It's called The Silent Way

[cam]

Bob Gorn's advice is excellent for new comers to KSA. Especially,

[Latteegirl1974]

Thanks Cam that made me feel better. Is your friend happy at Al Yamamah?

Do you think its helpful if a ladies arab husband helps get the family settled in? Do you think him being an Arab will give us an advantage?

When you say getting settled in to your flat, what does that mean exactly? Do we need to buyplates, utensils, bedding, can opener, dvd players? Where can these things be bought cheaply? I would go to K mart in the US, but what do they have in KSA? I know the malls and shops in KSA can be expensive especially in the capitol.

How do you get a phone chip for your mobile phone?

The most impotant thing: Female dress code

I wear a scarf and long clothing or sometimes an Abaya. I don't cover my face . What are the rules for foreigners? If I decided to cover my face with either Niqab or buraka it needs to be for God not for Saudi culture. I guess that I am afraid of standing out like a sore thumb. Maybe I should wear a niqab? How will I have my privacy? Arabs like to stare, not to be rude but out of curiousity.
My daughter who is 4 will try to protect me and say,"Stop looking at my mama!" She is very sensitive because she has seen how I have been treated in the US. I can just see my kid rippin' out some guys *ss because he tried to talk or stare at me.

What does the Mutatawa require a foreign lady to wear? Basically, I don't want them to bother me. If attacked, di I have the right to defend myself. What should a person do if confronted by the religious police? I'm sure the Saudi's will understand if I give her a little punch. Ya know, for all of the expats they bother.......In my dreams.
Thanks and keep up this excellent post!
Bob cleo and Cam your the best!

[Bob Gorn]

Latteegirl, the "Silent Way" has been around for at least 25 years. Initially it involved using a set of rods of different colors, and you had to have extensive training to use it. It sort of evolved into TPR (total physical response). The problem with both of these approaches is that they are of limited usefulness. They are only appropriate for true beginners at the very first stages of language acquisition. Your institution is probably just talking about a variation of communicative, student-centered learning, not the true "Silent Way". Nevertheless, I suggest you look it up.

As for setting up a flat or a villa, you should have little trouble. There are many local versions of K-Mart, and the fact that your husband speaks Arabic will make your life infinitely easier.

As for dress, you shouldn't have any problems there, either. If you wear an abaya and a hijab, no one should be looking at you, especially if you have an Arab husband by your side. In fact, you will probably find this the greatest change from the US. Wearing a hijab will make you blend in and no one will even notice you, least of all Mr. Muttawa. As you are aware, you are under no obligation to wear the niqab anywhere, nor will you find the need to wear one to protect your privacy. Your kids are going to love it because everyone dresses just like Mommy!

[scot47]

And remember that KSA is not for evryone. Some people are simply not suited to being in what can be a very difficult environement.

People who have travelled and worked in a foreign country may find it easier. Those who can be self-reliant and self-sufficent will find it easier than those who depend on others.

Personally if I were recruiting for here I would look for those who had done a stint with VSO or the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan or Burkina Faso.

[veiledsentiments]