Job Discussion Forums

sallyally · Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 11 Location: Canada

Hi

I would really like to live and teach in Kuwait. Does anyone know if I am likely to find work there given my education and experience?

-I have a B.A. in English and History and a B.Ed in elementary education (both from a Canadian university).
-I am certified to teach in B.C., Canada.
-I taught in a language school in Cairo for three school years (grades one and two) before returning to Canada to complete a B.Ed.
-I have worked with children and youth with autism.

I would really appreciate any opinions regarding this matter. Also, if anyone can recommend any schools to which I should apply-let me know.

Thanks so much!

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

Sounds to me as though you might have family there or some other personal "interest," so I'd say go there and canvass the language schools and international schools.

feenix · Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 6 Location: Kuwait

sallyally check the internation job board for the humansoft position just advertised.

kaw · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 10:59 am Post subject: Humansoft

I'd be careful with the Humansoft job. I was offered a job with them last year. They sent the visa over before my contract (a few warning signs went up). Once they had emailed my contract I read it through and emailed them with some questions - which they never answered.
I wish I could remember the contract but I can't anymore - sorry

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 6:15 pm Post subject:

Why does the fact that they sent you the visa before the contract cause alarm bells to ring? Just curious.

kaw · Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:36 am Post subject:

Sending out a visa before and arranging dates to travel out before someone gets to see a contract........
Would you go off to places unknown unless you knew what you were letting yourself in for??
Ok I'm sure there are some poor devils out there who would, they'd get out there and then find that they were being scr*wed left, right and center, I've been in this game long enough to find out what I'm signing my life away for.
Of course it doesn't always work out like that..... Sad

manonatrain · Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 88

Hi KAW

wow what a great photo...did you take that ?
where are you at now? I read you left the ME ..

Anyway, ya i applied to HUMANSOFT and was curious to know
if you could recall any details. Like money, hours, levels, available materials for the teachers, living conditions, number of staff currently employed etc...

I agree, recieving the VISA first could have just been a bugg up by the admin staff, which in the ME is common. Anyway, you could have had them email or fax a copy of the contract offer before you boarded the plane.

Jim Bigelow · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 175 Location: KSA

As far as I'm aware Human soft is recruiting for their Language department which is the Franchise 'Direct English'. Although amongst the better of the Dreaded Language Schools, they are still a fairly unstable operation that will squeeze you for every drop of blood and have you working all the days and hours that God gave us!

At present here in Saudi I heard that they are now making teachers work 7 Day weeks! In saying that I have had dealings with them in Kuwait and have found them to be a hundred more times more professional than the set up in KSA.

If your only able to secure a job with a language school then I'd say you could do allot worse than Direct English, if on the other hand you have the qualifications to secure a University position or at least a job that will not make you work a split-shift (9-1 then 5-9) then don't bother!

kaw · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 2:47 am Post subject:

Hiya 'manonatrain'
Unfortunately left the M.E. in September. Not much choice really, didn' want to renew contract at SUC, no release letter meant I couldn't stay in Oman and as you know it's very difficult to get anything half decent anywhere else without having an MA. The search goes on.......
Am actually working as a DOS in Indonesia and hating pretty much every minute of it so if you get any leads - pass them on.....
As for Humansoft - I can remember the contract stating that you basically had to work when and where they told you - no limit on hours and if you left yo weren't allowed ot only to work in Kuwait for x amount of time but anywhere else in the Gulf - how that would stand though I don't know.
The salery from what I can remember wasn't too great either.
I always sid I would never work for a franchise again - mmm - ok so there's no excuse for the fact I'm currently working for one now.

As for the photo - it's a great self portrait - don't u think??? Laughing

Actually got it from a web site - don't know where my camel pics are.
Well better go and prepare for the workshop I'm doing in an hour.