Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

give some advice to newbies in KSA
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next
 
Post new topic   This topic is locked: you cannot edit posts or make replies.    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Saudi Arabia
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Cleopatra



Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago

PostPosted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 2:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:

I believe Northern Ireland (Norn Iron) is about the same size as Delaware.[/quote


Two mini-statelets! Is that not cute?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
balqis



Joined: 30 Jul 2006
Posts: 373

PostPosted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 3:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

1. ''Spelling bee'' is a popular spelling game in many UK ESL books, you like it or not.

2. Lattegirl, don't worry about ''the silent way''; no one uses it just because it doesn't work; or uses it say 7% of his/her class style;
my advice: be method-eclectic and simply responsive to your sts in class; you will be method-twisted all over in class so be method-bendy;
I like Saudi sts pretty quite a lot...;
Good luck,
balqis
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
cam



Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 124
Location: Maine, USA

PostPosted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 3:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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


My friend is staying on for another year so I assume he is happy there. He seems to be someone who would be capable of getting a job somewhere else if needed. The problem with Al Yamamah is long days and a shorter vacation than most other colleges or universities in KSA.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Yahoo Messenger
trapezius



Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction

PostPosted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 3:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cleopatra wrote:
Quote:
What rights do Americans have in the magic kingdom?


The same as other expats.


In theory, yes. But in practice, Americans have the most rights among all the expats in this country. And in many possible situations, even more rights than the locals. This applies mostly in 2 spheres: workers' rights, and "vices."

For example, it is far less likely for an American to be held here against his will, or to not be paid, or to be fired without reason, etc, than any Asian, African, South American, or Eastern European. Even compared to Canadians, Western Europeans, and Australians/New Zealanders, those things are slightly less likely to happen to an American.

In terms of "vices", an American caught with alcohol would simply be deported. Most Asians or Africans would be lashed, and then deported. A white couple walking together outside would never be asked if they are married or not. And even if they found out they are not, nothing would happen. An Asian/African young couple walking outside maybe (and are) asked to show proof they are married. And if found out, they are jailed and then deported.

A caucasian South African friend of mine was driving with his Filipino nurse girl friend last year, and they were stopped at a checkpost and asked for proof of marriage. He spent one night in jail. She was deported.

It is simply the case that white-skinned people have far more practical rights than brown-skinned people. Sure, on paper, they have the same rights.

Another example: If a white person is assaulted/abused (verbally or physically) by an "over zealous" cop or mutawwa, you just might even get an apology from some minister (a prince), aside from the cop/mutawwa being fired and punished (if he was wrong). If you are brown, forget about it. You are just one of tens of thousands in that case.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
sheikh radlinrol



Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 1222
Location: Spain

PostPosted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 4:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

veiledsentiments wrote:
Americans are not alone in their parochialism or their assumptions...

VS


Don't tell me. Here in Spain they think you're crazy if you have dinner before 9 p.m. Some of them think Wales is in France and that London taxis are designed the way they are so that men don't knock their bowler hats off as they get in and out.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Latteegirl1974



Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 75
Location: Webkinz World

PostPosted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 4:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cleo, How many Delawares make up up the size of the KSA?

Razz
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Cleopatra



Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago

PostPosted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 4:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree that white folks (let's dispense with the usual Gulf euphemism of "Westerner") do 'unofficially enjoy greater leeway in the areas you mention. It may also be true that Americans are treated even better than citizens of other "Western" nations: I have certainly heard this said, though have yet to see any hard evidence myself.


Quote:
A white couple walking together outside would never be asked if they are married or not. And even if they found out they are not, nothing would happen.


This is not completely accurate. It's certainly the case that white couples do not arouse suspicion in the way that Asian - much less 'mixed' - couples do, but I have heard stories of unmarried "Western" couples being apprehended and, in a few cases, getting into trouble.

Quote:
A caucasian South African friend of mine was driving with his Filipino nurse girl friend last year, and they were stopped at a checkpost and asked for proof of marriage. He spent one night in jail. She was deported.


For sure, 'mixed' couples do get a lot of attention from over-zealous police. But I think the difference in treatment you mention has more to do with gender than race: women always come off worse in these situations. In the instances I referred to above, where both members of the couple were white, the man got a ticking off while the woman was charged with prostitution.


Last edited by Cleopatra on Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:00 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Latteegirl1974



Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 75
Location: Webkinz World

PostPosted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 4:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I know one thing that Americans are able to do well, and that's filling a seat! Noone can fill a seat like an American. When we put our butts down, we nest like we're sitting on eggs. Very Happy

Look, I am not a perfect person. I have been a teacher for many years, but never an English teacher. If I make a mistake than please be professional enough to correct it, otherwise don't complain or make assumptions. I really expected more from some of you, considering you call yourselves teachers. I thought this was a place to come together, and help each other? So if you want to pick on my spelling, grammar, typos, religion, than bring it on! It will be a great learning experience because a teacher is always a learner! Razz

As far as Americans go, they use their own knowledge and experience to describe things. Some may NOT be able to describe stuff in a context that they are not familliar with. Would you be upset if a South African said it's about the size of Rawanda? It's based on pure experience. Many Americans don't travel overseas. They stay in North America (a private sheltered island) just for their alien kind. Very Happy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Cleopatra



Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago

PostPosted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:02 pm    Post subject: