Job Discussion Forums

[wanna_teach]

I know this has been done to death, but I really need some info on Bell/KSU

I am considering a position with Bell at KSU and have read the threads about bell. I realize that probably only desperate ppl work there, but I am desperate. I don�t have an MA, so unless I want to teach kids in Asia (and earn decent money), this is pretty much my only option..

I am a female and was wondering if anyone who�s worked there had any insight/advice?

I have read that they keep your passport, is this true?

Is the housing as bad as I have read? Any chance of improvement for September? How many ppl share an apartment?

What happens if I really hate it there, would I be able to resign? Or would I have to just leave? Would I be able to just leave? This is my main concern if what I have read about housing and other conditions (no air conditioning, internet, gyms etc) are true.

It also seems that they intimidate and threaten teachers with being fired? Does anyone know of anyone getting fired? If you are fired, do you receive all the pay that you are owed?

I know this is not one of the best places to teach, but I really need some eperience witha adults.

Any info would be greatly appreciated

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

I think that this thread sums it all up. http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=773702#773702

Now, I'll leave you to continue banging your head against the wall...nothing seems to get thru. I'd ask a question based on your hair color and a stereotype...but am afraid of your answer, so I won't.

NCTBA

[veiledsentiments]

Really... seriously... how many times do you want people to type the same information. Yes, they keep your passport and they can stop you from leaving. IMHO, I would believe what you read on this one and stay away. There are adults in other countries that can be taught.

Check the Oman board. There are recruiters hiring for the Ministry to teach at the small colleges. If you have a BA + an acceptable TEFL cert, you might be able to get a job there. The money will be less, but the conditions will be better... nice students... tolerable single housing (no sharing with gawdknowshoworwhat) ... poor to middling management.

And... if it isn't tolerable, you are not a "prisoner" with no passport or exit visa.

VS

[Citizenkane]

Veiled is right - there have been numerous threads on KSU already in which most or all of your questions have already been answered at least once.

For what it's worth, I'll repeat what I've always said about KSU (men's side): You hear a lot of negative things about it, but those of us who've done their time in KSA accept that it's not all that bad by local standards. What exactly 'not all that bad' means is subjective, but as I say you questions hae already been answered many times.

[Mia Xanthi]

Citizenkane is right....you have to go through the threads and figure out which information is common to all jobs in KSA and which is specific to KSU. For example, ANY institution in KSA can prevent you from leaving. Whether or not they do depends on your specific contract and just how angry you make them by trying to leave. ANY employer can hold you hostage if your contract states that you must pay a penalty for leaving early.

The thing is that we assume that employers will be nice and see the human side of things if, for example, you have to leave early due to an illness in the family. In KSA, this is not usually the case. I've never seen employers with so little human compassion. If you even THINK that you might have to leave early due to illness or a family emergency, please investigate your employer very well....or be prepared to run for the border in the middle of the night without telling anyone where you are going.

[Citizenkane]

[veiledsentiments]

Based on my readings here over the years, the good/bad ratio of employers seems to be about 50/50?

VS

[wanna_teach]

Thanks everyone for your info.

Sorry about the redundancy�. The money makes it sooo tempting to go there and I guess I was hoping that the answer would be different this time.
I have scheduled an interview for next week, so I might as well see what they say.

Just so I understand, if I really wanted to leave and they refuse to return my passport, there�s nothing I can do, I�m just a hostage. Can I get my embassy involved? I also have an EU passport, would it be possible to use that to leave?

Veiled, thanks for your advice. Nothing on this website, but I found a posting on another website with CFBT educational trust, I checked the forum and there are a lot of negative posts about them. They sound almost identical to bell. I will apply anyways and see what happens.

Does anyone happen to have any other ideas of where to look for jobs teaching adu