Job Discussion Forums

[Derkugelschrieber]

Would someone be kind enough to send or post some information regarding BAE? I am interested in the following information:

1) Once the application is returned to BAE, how long does it take to get an interview?
2) Once the interview is finished, how long does it take for them to notify you if you have been selected (or not)?
3) Will my wife be able to accompany me immediately?
4) Are BAE employees allowed to own personal vehicles and are those vehicles allowed on the compound?
5) Do the BAE compounds have appropriate weightlifting equipment (bench, squat rack, dumbells and cables) as opposed to exercise machines?
6) Do the compounds have 25 meter pools?
7) Are married couples given houses or apartments?
What are the work hours?
9) What are the best and worst places to work for BAE in Saudi?
10) If a train leaves Paris, traveling west at 120 KPH and another train leaves Munich traveling east at 170kph, how many accountants on the train will it take to screw in a lightbulb?

Some of these questions may seem odd (except #10), however, having worked in the Middle East for a few years, I know that without certain basic amenities, life can get real depressing, and I don't drink. I just don't want to ask them during an interview situation, where they may be interested if I am able to teach or not. I would be grateful to anyone who could answer my questions or give me some insight as to whether I should give up my job as an aardvark trainer for the circus.

[Canuck Gal]

Thanks for providing my daily laugh. I love your sense of humour

[scot47]

BAe will give you a German spelling test. If you can't spell the word for "ball-point pen". you fail the entry test.

[mouse5]

Your experience of working in a circus may come in handy. The scintillating experience of trying to teach a class of BAe cadets is rather like spinning plates.

Plate spinning is a circus manipulation art where a person spins plates, bowls and other flat objects on poles, without them falling over. Plate spinning relies on the gyroscopic effect, in the same way a top stays upright while spinning. (Wikipedia)

Replace each plate with an apathetic cadet who was dragged out of bed well before dawn. When the plate hits the deck, ie. the cadet dozes off to dream of what's in store once he gets to paradise, the teacher takes the blame.

It's the frills that attract teachers to BAe, not the prospect of furthering your career. You could call it "pedagogical prostitution".

[windstar]

how about instructor turn over rate? Do they frequently recruit new instructors or is it only "frills" that motivates them to teach a few years?

[mouse5]

BAe recruitment is "ongoing". HR has a revolving door.

[Neil McBeath]

Here are the answers you wanted.

1. Depends on how badly they need you. Probably no more than a month.
2. As above. Probably no more than a week.
3. No. There;s a waiting list, but it's not as long as it was.
4. Yes and Yes.
5. So far as I can remember, Aziziya in Al Khobar did. I can't speak for the other compunds.
6. Again, Aziziyah did. The other, family compounds did not.
7. Sometimes vilas, som,etimes large flats.
8. Depends on the time of year. You could start teaching as early as 0615hrs. In that case you would work to about 1230 0r 1300. If you start later, you work later. The timetable is always very fluid.
9. I would say that Dammam definitely has the edge simply because you have the opportunity to go to Bahrain, or beyond, if you want. You also have a choice of airports, Bahrain or King Fahad. Again it gives you more choice.

[taiwan]

I am interested in finding out if the BAE contracts are for teaching ESP predominately or just the regular ESL/EFL conversational classes? Does BAE do any IELTS or TOEFL teaching?