Job Discussion Forums

[Charybdis]

I'd say this: Trapezius, you must be a man. It's expensive for women to live in KSA because we have to pay a min. of $5 to get anywhere in a cab. Food, electricity and gas were cheap, but that was about it.

My response: My colleagues were fantastic (most have left, or soon will leave), and the young women students were great (although I was shocked at how little they knew about the outside world).

[veiledsentiments]

[desultude]

[Middle East Beast]

Yes, off topic, but I can't resist what came to my mind...

Sarah Palin's reference to Africa as a country.


desultude, did you rent the storage unit for a vehicle by chance? Reply via PM if you want.


No more off-topic from me...sorry about that.

[lucreziaborgia]

Hi Rigel,
I agree with your comments. Where I have been working for 3 years has likewise changed due to the frequently disgraceful behaviour of TEFLers - not teachers. I need to differentiate here as I think it's necessary. Of course all TEFLers aren't charlatans and all teachers aren't saints. I am speaking generally and have no desire to offend so please take my comments as they are intended.
Do I work with people I would describe as teachers? Educators? I know about 5 after 3 years here.
I am new to this occupation (it is not a career for me) and have been appalled by the social and 'staffroom' ('professional' doesn't equate) behaviour of my associates (neither does 'colleague').
Over time, local schools have opened that now direct hire - as why not?The locals have become business savvy hence see the obvious benefits acquired by the foreign language factories that masquerade as English language/educational providers and are getting a slice of the action. The usual suspects have been making hay here for years however now they are being seriously challenged.
However, times are no longer all beer and skittles for the TEFLing dross that washes up on these shores from time to time.
Local directors are able to hire and fire native speakers whenever they so desire. Local staff now tell us the way it is without smiling! The worm has turned and will continue to so do.
The physical conditions of work at locally owned English language schools are not as comfortable as those at foreign schools but the pay is competitive. However, employment rights do not exist even with a contract. It is a day by day relationship.
As well, native English speakers are no longer given the consideration we once enjoyed and it is clear that the sun has set on our louche living days and ways in this country.
The foreign schools that once had a monopoly on the provision of English are now able to cater to the local rich who don't need the language skills anyway hence a new cynicism is prevalent.
Here, as I suspect elsewhere, those who followed before us set the standard by which we are judged and treated. I have been working in a pleasant but restictive country and have not had any problems apart from a few daily irritations. Nothing that forbearance can't manage.
I resent inheriting the legacy of flaky TEFLers and am now intolerant of those with whom I am forced to come into contact. Here Western bars are numerous and I rejoice every time a drunk/doped out/ drunk and doped out expat, backpacker or TEFLer is robbed.
I am not vindictive; I do not appreciate being associated with the trailer trash of America, Europe, Britain and Australia - either as tourists, backpackers or - English teachers/TEFLers. On a lighter note, generally speaking, I find Canadians and New Zealanders to be quitely confident and circumspect.

[Charybdis]

Yes, of course, you're right about US students not knowing a lot about the world. It is, indeed, sad but true that many of our students can be equally "provincial."

But what I'm speaking about is a lack of knowledge of geography, history, politics, economics, art, music, etc. beyond their own Wahhabi/Saudi culture. This adversely affects their ability to respond to anything other than their own personal experiences and very limited knowledge of the outside world. For example, I had students ask me to explain who were Shakespeare and Michelangelo, and what an opera, sculpture, and a symphony were. They'd read the definitions of the the words, but often had absolutely no frame of reference. The students could not write a simple essay unless they were personal topics because they had no knowledge much else.

Even a map was impossible for most of the female students to interpret. One told me she didn't ever need to know how to read a map because she would always have a driver. When Benazir Bhutto was assassinated, only one out of my 38 students at the time even knew that she was an important person. Many didn't believe me when I told them she was Muslim. Critical thinking skills were virtually non-existent. I routinely asked all of my students whether they read books in Arabic, and I could have counted the number who told me they did on my fingers and toes (I had well over 300 students in two years).

Our university claimed to have an American-style of teaching and to support the development of critical thinking, but that was a crock. Parents complained about the line drawings of girls playing volleyball in shorts that appeared in one "approved" textbook. Faculty asked for guidelines, and the Saudi administration never responded to that request. We always introduced realia into our lessons at our own risk. One male faculty member had his teaching materials confiscated and examined (and never returned) when he showed a small clip from the movie Titanic to his students.

Please don't misunderstand: I believe that this situation is almost totally cultural, and I do not attribute it to a lack of ability or (usually) interest on the part of the students. While I do think that American students can be naive and "ignorant" in their own ways (thanks in large measure to their upbringing), what I'm talking about I believe is far more pervasive and severe in Saudi students. In KSA, even the very best and well-traveled female students had a very limited knowledge of the outside world and how it functioned. I believe they are all kept purposefully ignorant.

[Mark100]

A job in KSA doesn't have to be a nightmare.

You must pick the right employer this is of upmost importance.

I had to fly home for my mother's funeral and it was no problem at all and many people I knew over the years had to do the same thing without any problems.

It depends very much on your employer.

Saudi is not an easy gig but it can become a horror story with the wrong employer or if you are unlucky.

I wouldn't be put off going to KSA but do your research and preferably get a job where you know someone is already working so you can get the scoop.

[Middle East Beast]

[veiledsentiments]

[veiledsentiments]

[Mia Xanthi]

[johnslat]

Dear Mia,

" . . . despite a slight aura of unprofessionalism that prevails on the board at times."

Mea culpa.

Regards,
John

[desultude]

[Mark100]

[Middle East Beast]