Job Discussion Forums

medievalknight65 · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 7

Hi everyone. I�m new to these boards because I�m a career changer. I�ve worked in the IT field for over 10 years but returned to college and earned my BS in elementary education (double major in math & science). I absolutely love working with and helping people learn, especially kids. With that said, I�m seriously considering teaching in Saudi Arabia. The main reasons for wanting to do so are my love of teaching, a chance to experience a new culture and travel a bit (absolutely love to travel), and, of course, the opportunity to save up for retirement. So, I have some questions about teaching in SA and would appreciate any insights you can share:

1. What is it like to teach in Saudi Arabia? The good? The bad? The ugly?

2. What types of positions are typically available; that is, do you teach elementary, middle school, high school, adults, business, military, or other persons typically?

3. How many hours do you put in on average per week? (I know teachers in the US *generally* average 50-60 hours/week teaching & prepping.)

4. Do the schools/companies provide you with teaching material or do you have to buy them?

5. What is the pay like and how does it compare to the cost of living?

6. How much opportunity is there for advancement as a teacher (i.e. do you get pay raises and options for higher positions as you progress in the job)? What�s required to achieve this?

7. What are the living conditions like? (I know it�s hot & humid, but what else?)

8. What about health care coverage? I�m sure it varies by employer, but do most teachers get extra coverage and at roughly what cost (say for a single male, 35 yrs old)?

9. I�ve heard about the issue of censorship in SA. How censored are things? Are you
limited in the types of books you can get and read? How limited?

10. What resources are available for continuing your education/professional growth (i.e. earn a more advanced degree, get another degree, get certifications, etc)? I must be able to continue learning!

11. How will the fact that I have very little classroom experience affect my job opportunities? Will the fact that I did very well in college (very high GPA, highest academic honor from the University of Michigan) make any difference in getting a job and the corresponding pay & options? What is the average pay range? (I�ve seen a spread from $26K to $45K (US).

12. What does the future need look like for English teachers in Saudi Arabia? Is it getting stronger, weaker, or about staying the same?

13. Given my credentials (BS in elementary ed with major in math & science, Microsoft Certified Computer Network Engineer with 10 yrs experience, �but no official classroom teaching other than my student teaching, substitute teaching, and some corporate computer training), what approach to getting a teaching job in SA would you suggest? I know it is recommended that I get a TESL/TESOL certificate, which should be no problem.

14. What are the best organizations/companies to get a job at in Saudi Arabia teaching English - state schools, private school, for-profit language institutes, companies? (Or perhaps given your experiences you�d recommend I stick with IT due to more opportunities?)

15. If I decide to accept a position what else should I consider besides the following: fees, salary, job placement, work permit, health insurance, housing, teacher training and materials, whether there is an orientation, and level of on-site support.

16. Any other comments or things I should know?

Sorry for the long post, but I really want to make an informed decision based on current information, and thus so many questions. And yes, I've been reading through a lot of posts here on the forum.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Jay

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Are you male ?

medievalknight65 · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 7

Yes, I'm a 35 year old male. I should have made that clear.
Thanks for pointing that out.
Jay

medievalknight65 · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 7

In reference to question #11 in my original post.....I forgot to mention that I also have over 300 hours of volunteer teaching/assistant teaching in elementary schools. I did this on my own to become a better teacher, not out of any requirement.
Jay

Desert Storm · Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 30 Location: Classified

Hi Jay,

Welcome to the field of TEFL. Before our fellow TEFLers jump on you, try to patronize you or give you their racist, arrogant, and often ridiculous perspectives on Saudi, I'll offer my assistance.

If you search through some of the locked threads you can quickly see how some of these threads become completely unproductive.

You can PM me for more info and I'll try to help answer what I can.

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

This question has been done to death and looking through all the old threads would be helpful. But, in a larger sense, there is only so much we can do.

"What is it like to teach in Saudi Arabia?" How can we answer that? I like working here. Most people do not. Further, the conditions vary widely with each employer.

Anyway give the board a once-over and I will help all I can.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I can only agree with Paul. Read what is here and then if you have any specific questions, ask again.

I would say that if you have no teaching experience your c hances of getting anything are pretty slim. This is not the place to serve your apprenticeship,

medievalknight65 · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 7

Everyone,
Thank you everyone for your responses. As noted in my original post, I have read a lot of the old posts on this forum; however, I'm curious as to what the conditions are right now given all that is happening in the Middle East. Perhaps not much has changed, but an updated perspective is what I'm looking to get. Given your responses, may I suggest that as you read the questions in my original post that you respond to those that may deserve an updated answer as opposed to what has already shared in previous posts?
thanks,
Jay

zeke0606 · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 2:39 pm Post subject: what?

Jay --

Please read Scot47's answer very carfully. I've copied it here for again. I have added the emphasis.

"...I would say that if you have no teaching experience your chances of getting anything are pretty slim. This is not the place to serve your apprenticeship,..."

Read this as the gospel, OK?

Zeke

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

On the other hand, TINS still takes newbies, but then again they always have a high attrition rate. Are they hiring nowadays?

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

My first question as I read your post is... Why Saudi Arabia?

I agree with Scot47 that I do not believe that it is the best choice for someone new to the field, even though you are not a kid. Cool

Saudi is a place that Westerners go to teach for generally two reasons, they are converts to Islam or they need to make as much money as possible.

Saudi kids can be a real handful, and one really needs to both know the culture and have exceptional classroom management skills or they will steamroll you. The number of American teachers in the K-12 level who leave in the first month or two is VERY high compared to other countries. And many of them were experienced teachers. With your fresh new credentials, you will only be eligible for the marginal places in the Gulf.

I would seriously suggest getting a few years experience first to put on your resume (CV overseas). Google up International School Services and attend one of their Job Fairs. This would give you the chance to network with international teachers and check out the jobs available and what the employers are looking for.

VS
(BTW... work possibilities have changed little outside of Iraq itself)

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Your best bet is to do a couple of years in your home country. Then try for international schools abroad. The good ones pay home salaries, so the trick is to choose somewhere that's neat and cheap to live. The Middle East is good if you are a TEFLer. If you are a schoolteacher with the appropriate experience and status there are plenty of better places.

medievalknight65 · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 7

Thank you for your responses. I appreciate your insights. While your suggestions ring of caution, I've yet to be deterred. I'm not finished with my research, but will be soon...

medievalknight65 · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 7

And....

veiledsentiments....You ask why? I noted the three main reasons above. If I have to choose between the two you gave, then it would be finances.

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

You can find all of those rather vague goals in many countries in the Gulf. If one is going to Saudi, one would sensibly have a more specific reason.

Unless you are a convert, I would suggest that a much better choice would be Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE or Oman. You can reach all of your goals in most any of these countries and avoid all the many disadvantages of Saudi Arabia.

The financial advantage of Saudi is not that great.

VS