Job Discussion Forums

[trapezius]

ppl, not plp (plop? plump?)
lol, not lool (Laugh Out Loud)

And that was just the internet slang....

As for the pay, "Is it fair?" is a relative question. The answer is "it depends on your citizenship and skin color" assuming all other things being equal. I know that's not fair, but that's the way it is. And obviously, they didn't consider your master's degree because it is not in a relevant field.

If you are ethnically an Asian or an Arab or an African, then that pay is 'fair', even if you have British citizenship. (although I would say with British citizenship SR. 7,500 would be 'more fair', if there is such a thing)

If you are caucasian, that's definitely not 'fair'. A minimum of SR. 8,500 would be 'fair'.

[veiledsentiments]

[PowerPuff]

I have grown up using these phrases and am capable of using Standard English as well. Loosen up and relax. I am not a student but a new teacher in training.
As for my masters I have studied Business Trade and Policy on an analytical level. Thanks for the advice to teach in schools, rather than universities. I would prefer to teach in a school that is willing to use my various skills in science, business and English. This may be impossible, but I am a wishful thinker.
This is the offer
6800 Riyals
500 Saudi Riyals transportation Allowance
Plus 18,000 Saudi riyal Housing Allowance
Plus 9,000 Saudi Riyal one time furniture allowance

According to many of the posts this offer is an insult, and I should re-negotiate, for a better contract. I haven�t sent my email request yet, I guess because I am nervous. . Relevant info would help immensely.
Thanks
pp

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

SAR 6800 is nearly a literal slap in the face. Clear enuf?

NCTBA

[veiledsentiments]

[PowerPuff]

I want to thank everyone that posted relevant information about my situation. I have now been able to make a decision and I feel comfortable with it. Thanks again.

[battleshipb_b]

[quote]I have been offered a 6800 Riyal base salary + 500 for transportation from school and a housing allowance. Is this a pay package that I should except as a new teacher? [/quote]

This salary is way below par. Are you from the west? the US? Totally unacceptable. You'd be struggling. Don't accept such a low salary.
You'd never survive unless you skimp on housing. Which city was this job offered in? You might survive in Al Khobar or one of the smaller cities but in a big city?? Forget it, you wouldn't get much with that housing allowance. Keep job hunting.

[felton]

If 6,800 is a slap in the face, then this must be a body slam. I think it is needless to say, but I am not going to accept this position after reviewing everyone's comments. However, I don't understand how these other figures are relevant. If places claim to pay 22K SAR, it seems that the employer inflates the other benefits (i.e., housing) in order to make the initial offer that much more appealing. Any insight from the vet ME teachers? As far as qualifications are concerned, I have the standard (MA EFL, CELTA) plus 5 years as a certified teacher (high school English).

JOB TITLE ���������������.. Language Teacher
FACULTY ���������������... English Language Unit.
Basic Salary per Hijri month ������ SR 4080.00
TERM OF CONTRACT ����������. 1Year Renewable
Housing Allowance ���������. SR 17,000.00
Transportation Allowance �������SR 500.00
Living Cost Allowance �������� 10 % of the Basic Salary
Furniture Allowance (Once per Contract)��. 50 % of the Housing Allowance
Increment �������������. 50 % of the Basic Salary
Ticketing �������������.. Annual
Holidays �������������... 60 Calendar days.
Experience Increment ��������.. SR 350.00 For each year of experience according to the work nature approved by the university and for a maximum of five years after his academic post as Language Teachers.
Annual Salary Increase �������� SR 350.00
AUTHORIZED DEPENDENTS �������.YES
WORKING HOURS ������������ 35 Hours/Week

[eclectic]

this seems like a typo, it is so egregiously wrong. How could it be 4080 per month for 35 WORK HOURS A WEEK?

I HOPE THOSE AREN'T CLASSROOM HOURS!

Seems with your qualifications, it should read 14,080 per month.

You better re-negotiate with them.

[felton]

Thanks for the response. There was no negotiation to start with. I sent my CV and they replied saying that I am a "very strong candidate". I didn't hear from them for 3 weeks, so I sent an email politely requesting an interview. Instead of an interview, I got an offer. A job offer with no interview? VERY fishy.

[trapezius]

felton, you have to add up all the pieces:

4,080
408 ("living cost allowance")
2,040 ("increment")

Partial total monthly salary = 6,528

And you also have to add the "experience increment", which is 350 times the number of years of experience you have as a language teacher, up to a maximum of 5 years.

So that could take the monthly salary up to 8,278. And the 500 transportation allowance is on top of that.

That contract is from KAAU, isn't it? I recognize it from the 17,000 housing allowance. And that's how the give you the breakdown of the salary, as a basic part, which everybody gets, and then increments on top of that, which depend on one's qualifications.

[felton]

Hi Trap -

Thanks for the post. No, its not from KAAU (sic?). It is nice to be considered, but like it was said during the last US presidential campaign - "Thanks, but no thanks"

[PowerPuff]

I understand this offer is a slap in the face. My experience as a teacher is none, but I have some experience as an English and Business tutor. I have my B.A., Masters and TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certification. With these credentials, does anyone know of a school that will take me? I am a holder of a U.S. passport.
The school that gave me this offer is in Al-Baha. I have no idea if this is acceptable pay in this small city, or the cost of living.
Thanks for the Relevant advice

Felton are you going to accept or say noooo thanks to that offer?

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

This thread only gets better! Al-Baha is in the middle of Al-Nowhere! I remember a National Geographic piece on the city as they were having difficulties as the local baboon community had figured how to be second-story bandits and had been breaking into people's apartments by climbing up the drain pipes and B & E-ing.

I really don't understand why the OP seems resistant to following the advice given. In a way, she reminds me of...hold it...Honey is that you??? Ah ha! If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times not to ask me my opinion on something if you've already made up your mind! On top of that, the green curry that you made for dinner tonight wasn't that great!

NCTBA xox

[PowerPuff]