Job Discussion Forums

desert_traveller · Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 335

Got a job offer from this bunch of companies a while ago, nothing has happened ever since.

They seem to be employing hundreds of people and I would be very interested in hearing from someone who has actually worked for them in the past or is working for them right now.

Quite interesting. If the number of teachers is correct, it must be the biggest ELT enterprise in town, but still, almost no feedback here apart from a few grumpy ex-employees.

Is this whole thing happening or is it just a joke?

And also, whats this three-fold employer structure, surely, someone must be in charge? Who has the money, in the first place?

Any insights? Preferably from someone who has experience with them? Factual info preferred to emotional overstatements please.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:39 pm Post subject:

DT: It's true that I never was unfortunate enough to work with any of the named acronyms, I did work "around" them and socialized with their employees. Nothing ever good was said. That being said, I'm interested as well...but...just looking at the acronyms, it looks like King Saud University has gone the way of Aramco by having commercial agents find people to teach English. Can anyone contradict me and inform us?

NCTBA

jaygray · Joined: 29 Nov 2008 Posts: 10

I work at the mens campus and my wife at the womens so have facts a-plenty. We lived in a hotel room for 2 months and have just moved into decent accom. Singletons beware..sharing apartments with strangers aint fun...lots of crazies..lots of aggro...no peace. Plus no escape from work. Teachers with non teaching spouses have a long wait to get their families over due to conflicting info re visas and slow production of iqaamas and still dont know about allowances or if accom will be provided. So if you leave bairns at home dont expect to see them in a hurry. In fact dont expect anything in a hurry. Salaries and allowances are a mess...pretty much a lottery. Also internet connection was promised and not materialsed...plus gym etc etc. Dont get me started on lack of resources at work!

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:20 am Post subject:

jaygray · Joined: 29 Nov 2008 Posts: 10

Latest Bell/Obekan salary news�..the women should have been paid yesterday and still no salaries have hit bank accounts.

Plus all staff were promised �500 2nd flight allowance paid end of Jan. Guess what�.Bell changed the goalposts! Despite the fact that contracts stated this, they have issued new criteria and most people will now only get �250. No warning was given for this and as usual, theres not alot anyone can do about it.

Also the women were promised gym facilities, or membership to a gym. Guess what�.Bell have decided its too expensive and now offer nothing for women at all.

Seems promises are being reneged left right and centre!

matthew156 · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 140 Location: The Majik Kindom

Hello jaygray
I just had my phone interview with Bell and asked them if I could have some contact with some teachers that work there or have wored there. They told me that that wasn't their policy and that they couldn't give out this information. Fair enough, so why not ask their teachers or theirs partners there to get permission from there teachers to be available if some new recruit had some questions?

When I saw your post I was relieved that I could possibly get some response to some questions.

Matt

miker · Joined: 04 Feb 2009 Posts: 2

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:11 am Post subject:

Is further discussion about this outfit required???

NCTBA

word_to_the_wise · Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 67 Location: Riyadh

1027 views and only 6 replies says it all really.

There are literally hundreds of teachers there, but only a couple of dissenting voices on this forum.

The retention rate is excellent - that is a fact.

No company could run such a massive project without hitches and upsetting the odd tefl oddbod or three.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:23 am Post subject:

word_to_the_wise · Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 67 Location: Riyadh

Welcome said oddbod

matthew156 · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 140 Location: The Majik Kindom

miker · Joined: 04 Feb 2009 Posts: 2

Transient · Joined: 03 Feb 2009 Posts: 4

I was offered the job last summer and have been iffy about this job since then. Luckily, the visa process is long which allowed me to contact some teachers, both working there now, and those who've left the last couple of months.

Here is some of the information I've been given:

1) Always a hassle with pay. Either it's late, or it's not correct.
2) Promises were made, and broken on numerous occasions.
3) Leaving is difficult and you have to have outside help (one told me she needed to have her embassy get involved).
4) The apartments aren't as safe as they look.
5) Visa and other fees aren't reimbursed.

I will say that many have said that the academic side of it is not bad. Minus those few hiccups many Esl jobs have, such as shifting schedules, lack of information and fewer resources than promised.

Transient · Joined: 03 Feb 2009 Posts: 4