Job Discussion Forums

[baglady]

Hello,

I'm considering looking for work in Jordan. Two of the schools I have come across are:

The American ESL Centre and Amideast

Can anyone give me any information about what they are like as employers please?
I hope somebody out there knows something about them (it would be my first job abroad!)

Thanks!

[ghost]

Amideast has a good rep. in the different Arab countries where it operates (Maghreb countries, Yemen, etc.....). In fact they are generally the best employers in this industry.

Amman gets mixed reviews from different people. I was there in 1996 and was set to study for a year at the University of Jordan in Amman, but moved to Alexandria, Egypt, as Amman was not a city I felt comfortable in. The climate, though, is good, even in summer, thanks to the alitude, the temps. rarely go above 28 centigrade. Winters can be quite cold. For a bit of heat travel down to Al Aqaba, or hop on the boat to Nuweiba, Egypt.

The EFL industry is not very developed in Jordan. If you do not have contacts it might be difficult.

Ghost in Saudi

[baglady]

Thanks Ghost!

Why was it you didn't feel comfortable in Amman? The only problem I've heard about in the place is the crazy traffic.
Also, what's the standard of rented accommodation there like?

[ghost]

I stayed in some hotels in Amman ('fondok') which at the time, were very cheap, around $5 dollars per night. But showers were communal.

If you take a shared taxi to the University of Amman, up the hill, a few km's from the city centre, you can find accommodation with students who are doing the Arabic course for foreigners at the University.

Amman is a bit of a concrete jungle, and lacks the charm of Egypt, in my opinion, but others like it. Also, everyone who has been to Syria always tells me that they prefer Damascus, usually by a wide margin, compared with Amman.

Syria is also (or was) more easy to pick up work at some of the language schools there, in Damascus, and Damascus also has some of the best Arabic language schools for foreigners. My alma mater, McGill, sends the students from the Islamic studies Dept to Damascus in the summer to study at the University there, and the prices are much cheaper for studying Arabic there. The only place which may be cheaper might be Sanaa in Yemen.

Ghost in Saudi

[veiledsentiments]

Crazy Traffic? I'd say that's a relative term. Compared to places like Cairo, Kuwait City, Doha, or Riyadh, it is probably downright staid.

AMIDEAST managed schools are dependable employers. I know Damascus has a great manager, but I haven't had any friends work for the Amman branch.

VS

[ghost]

For traffic - the worst I experienced was Manilla, Philippines - where quasi gridlock traffic jams take place almost 12-15 hours a day - as an example, a typical 5km journey could easily take up to 2 hours.......you are just stuck. You could walk to your destination, but the pollution is very high. The Pinoys just take it in their stride, and get on with the business of life. Their resilience and dedication to task is extraordinary.

In February, I will travel to Nairobi, Kenya, and report back on that. Addis Ababa was basically 'fluid' flow of traffic. Few Ethiopians can afford cars.

Ghost in Saudi

[cassava]

[ghost]

I have been planning a trip to Kenya for years - and now is the time to do it.

I will be heading to Eldoret, home to the largest number of world class runners on the planet. Many 'muzungus' (foreigners) train there, during the dry season - December to March.

Ghost

[johnslat]

Dear ghost,
Hope you're not planning on doing a runner (forgive me - I couldn't resist.)
Regards,
John

[ghost]

[johnslat]

Dear ghost,
You realize, of course, that I was punning:

"I will be heading to Eldoret, home to the largest number of world class runners on the planet. "

"Hope you're not planning on doing a "runner."

Regards,
John

[ljshloul]

Hi! I'm from the US, but living with family here in Jordan. I personally worked for American ESL last year. My recommendation is to check into Amideast. After I left, almost all of the teachers left right after a session began. They've been in existence since 2006. Reasons why teachers have left are as follows:

1) Pay is JD5.00 per hour. AESLC pays approx. JD189.00/6-wk session.
The pay is low and hard to get a raise.

2) Paydays:

Employee handbook says: 5th of each month
Reality: Doesn't happen

As of the end of March 2008, decision to change paydays went into
effect. New payday was at the END of each 6-wk session.

3) Each teacher is required to do a lot of extra work and attend
workshops for which there is no monetary compensation. The
workshops at the center can be a few hrs in length, too. This is
important if you have childcare, bus/taxi issues, etc.

4) Jordanian Ministry of Education requires one of the following:
- Degree in Education
- Degree in English OR
- Certification in TESOL/TESL/TEFL

There is a program offered by the AESLC owner called "INTESOL." She
stated that it is the only online program that is recoginzed by the
Minstry and by the British Council. This is not correct info. British
Council will only recognize certs from CELTA and such that require
actual demonstration and evaluation of in-class ESL skills, not just
knowledge. For here, the closest place to get the CELTA is in Egypt per
British Council.

As for what credentials are accepted, when it's a private business,
it is up to the owner of that business to decide that issue.

5) Some teachers are unfornately dating some of the center's students
while the students are enrolled. This "word" is getting around about
the center. This is also common knowledge amongst the center
employees and all involved.

6) The center uses spyware on the teachers' computers, but doesn't tell
them nor is this mentioned in the Employee Handbook. This angered
many of the teachers that later left.

Keep in mind that the center is owned and operated by Americans who live here in Jordan. Some of the things stated above wouldn't be allowed in the States, but they happen here. Rules are different. Labor protection is different. Certain situations were taken advantage of in the minds of many of the center's former teachers.

On the other hand, Amideast pays better than AESLC. Their reputation is good. Just check into their exact payscale and required credentials. The work environment is less problematic and happier. I have a friend who left AESLC to work for Amideast and likes it better...better pay, work environment, and overall happy place to work.

If I don't return to the States, I will consider Amideast. You should be able to get Amideast's phone, email, and physical address info. from their site. They moved to a new location last year, still in the Amman area.

Hope this helps you out.

[Sand Teacher]

I would just like to interject a comment at this point. I do have firsthand knowledge of the AESLC (http://www.aeslc.com/esl/PublicWeb/Home.aspx), but would rather not make any negative comments at this point.

However, I would like to erase any confusion about who they are. I am connected with the American Language Center (www.alc.edu.jo), an extension of the Public Affairs section of the Embassy of the United States in Amman, Jordan. Please feel free to browse our website to learn more about us. If you hear the name American ESL Center, PLEASE DO NOT confuse them with the AUTHENTIC American Language Center--we are two entirely separate and unrelated entities, though some would like to take advantage of our excellent reputation by sowing seeds of identity confusion.

We would cringe at any of the above-mentioned things being done in our center. If these things are true, and they are being done by Americans working in Jordan, it is shameful and unacceptable. I apologize on their behalf for tarnishing the reputation of Americans.

If you are looking for other teaching opportunities, there are many in Amman in addition to the above-mentioned AMIDEAST. The New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) has an excellent EFL program. The British Council in Amman also has a great reputation. Bell International has recently opened a center here. There is also a small, yet excellent center called London Educational Center. I have even heard that the University of Jordan has begun hiring some foreign teachers for their language center. Unfortunately, we are fully staffed and have no vacancies at the moment.

[veiledsentiments]

What about the visa situation for your teachers? A good friend of mine was there a couple years ago and had to make regular visa runs. Are only short term visas possible?

VS

[Sand Teacher]

If you want further information, you should send an email to [email protected] and someone will assist you.