Job Discussion Forums

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 8:40 am Post subject:

I don't think anyone on this board would disagree with the notion that teachers are undervalued - both in terms of respect, and, much more to the point, money - but I'm not sure what we can do about it in practical terms. Certainly not considering that we work in a country and a profession where there are no ESL trade unions (yes, I'm a bit of an unreformed socialist).

In any case, as I've said before, LangSols and the like seem to attract young, MA-less teachers straight out of private language school hell in Europe or East Asia. For them, the package offered by LangSols here is probably a step up, shared apartments and all. Such people probably would not get one of the better positions in the third-level colleges, although with the current lack of applicants for KSA, you never know.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I still come across them often - those who have just escaped from teaching in Thailand or Greece. For them even a lousy job in KSA is better than what they have come from ! The same applies to those who have escaped from Mr Brown's fair and pleasant land.

The fact is that ESLers in KSA are economic migrants. Forget all this BS about being an 'expat'. You are Gastarbeiter !

007 · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:04 am Post subject:

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Conditions will only change once they are unable to get teachers - which is what happened with the Kuwait company.

As long as there is an unending supply of TEFL gypsies who are willing to work under poor conditions, it will continue.

In the US, the rise of the use of 'adjunct' status meant that only a tiny minority of the MAs turned out would be able to find a job that paid more than a burger flipper (but they have better benefits - adjuncts get none). Add to that all the graduates with useless degrees in Liberal Arts that prepare them for nothing... but they have a desire to travel. So here they are...

VS

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:04 pm Post subject:

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

It is not all that unusual to have management plants post positive comments here to counteract the complaints posted by the teachers. But, it is usually rather obvious when it is post 1 or 2 of a new screen name. Laughing

They usually get called on it.

As I recall, IPETQ ended up in labor court and lost, didn't they?

VS

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Most language schools insist on split shifts and yes, they're a killer. The only places you make a passable living out of teaching is in schools or colleges or sometimes as a corporate trainer.