Job Discussion Forums

Hardcase · Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Posts: 2

Hello all,

I have recently been offered a job in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. It will be y FIRST teaching job. It is for an international school, grades 4-11 I think, the final end in IGCE's /SATS.
The students are from a wide range of international countries, not just Saudi.

My job starts in February 2009.

You may be suprised that I got in with ZERO experience and NO degree, but lets just say that a personal contact helped me in addition to my CELTA Pass A Grade.

I have the following questions:

1. I am worried that I am going straight into an environment teaching kids. I do not have enough time to do the CELTA young learners add on- so can the people here PLEASE RECOMMEND GOOD reading material/methodology books for teaching children.

2. What sort of syllabus will I be expected to teach?

3. I have been offered 7000SR monthly salary, 2 return air tickets, medical, and 15000 SR yearly accomodation allowance. You may think 7000 is too low, but I think thats good for a first job in teaching English. I also have no negotiating power. I just wanted to mention that in case I a flood of replies saying ... Nooo! You're being swindled!!

BUT- Can someone please tell me if 15000 SR is enough for a 1 BEDROOM APPARTMENT in RIYADH? I dont need to live in a compound, in fact, I dont want to live in a compound! (I am half Egyptian, Half British with Intermediate Arabic, so loving amongst the locals is fine with me)

4. Could any of you give me any further advice. What are my chances of a good success considering the CELTA is not the ideal qualification to walk straight into an international school with zero experience?

Anyway, I appreciate your swift responses.

Kind regards,
Ben

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

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

I can't answer most of your questions, but I can give you one warning. The fact that this school has hired you with neither the proper credentials nor experience speaks volumes about them. (nothing against you... we all have to start somewhere Laughing

)

Employers that hire with your low credentials are often (usually?) the most abusive. Expect the worst as far as living and working conditions. Keep your expectations low and hopefully you can deal with them. There are some awful international schools in the Gulf.

Since you appear to have some wasta there, perhaps it will extend further than just being hired and can help to keep it from turning into a nightmare. Try to teach as low a grade as possible. The older the students, the more problems a beginning teacher has in handling them... and these students can be a handful.

VS
(Do take Sheikh R's advice on avoiding too much 'loving' with the locals. I love typos sometimes...)

trapezius · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 4:18 pm Post subject:

Hardcase · Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Posts: 2

Haha, yes, we all have to start somewhere. Apologies also for the typo, I certainly meant LIVING! Very Happy

Does anyone have an answer with regards to the accomodation allowance? Will 15000 SR per year cover a basic flat/appartment?

Kind regards,
Ben

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

I note you're not telling us the name of the school. Looks dodgy to me. But with no degree you've got the educational version of Groucho Marx and his club. You really wouldn't want to work for anywhere that would employ you. It puzzles me incidentally how you can work legally in a school when you don't have a degree.

You'll have a real problem with the housing allowance. What you will need to do is furnish the flat, and that means buying everything, except the kitchen sink, including air-conditioners and carpets. Then remember you're going to have to buy a car.

Geronimo · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 498

Hello Hardcase,

Has your contact underlined the importance of holding an iqama yet?
How will you be able to obtain an iqama without a degree?

Do you intend to open a bank account in the K.S.A.? If so, you will need an iqama.... If not, how will you transfer your savings?

Have you enquired about access to single and/or multiple entry visas for trips out at vacation times?

Mind how you go!

Geronimo

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Do not worry. Your "wasta" in Riyadh will wave his magic wand and all these problems will disappear.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:31 pm Post subject:

King Faisal School, perchance? If so, I'd throw that rudder over...BUT HARD!

Ditto on VS's advice! SAR 7000 is barely "servant's pay" (I beat that by SAR 200 for my first job!)

Them offering you a job with no experince...and no paper(!) is a big "tell"! Oh. boy, are you heading into troubled waters! But, as they say, "You can't talk a man off a ledge if he's hellbent on suicide!" Good luck if the advice given on this board falls on deaf ears...

NCTBA

trapezius · Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 8:36 pm Post subject:

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:03 am Post subject:

You musta missed the "......."'s! O' thee, who constantly loses it at the keyboard!

NCTBA