Job Discussion Forums

destionable · Joined: 11 Aug 2009 Posts: 46 Location: wherever

Dear John:

You obviously have the wrong dico.

Destionable

johnslat · Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 2:46 am Post subject:

Dear Destionable,
Obviously - although that should read "dictionaries" since I checked half a dozen. So, I'd be grateful if you'd point me in the direction of the right one(s).
Thanks,
John

Charybdis · Joined: 08 Aug 2009 Posts: 30

You know, friend, you are exactly the kind of employee Saudis would love to hire. I say "Go for it", but stay in touch on this forum. There are several of us who are dying to know if you can stay so positive after a few months of actually living and working in KSA. I've lived and taught in 6 different countries that were far, far better places where I was not treated like an indentured servant.

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

sandersjayfer · Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 14 Location: Saudi Arabia

[quote="positivity"]javascript:emoticon(' Laughing

')javascript:emoticon(' Laughing

')

I had a phone interview last week with Bell for an EFL instructor position at KSU through Obeikan and have been trawling through these forums since then, I have taught in the UK for 20 years and this is the first time I have considered working abroad - I have not laughed so much since Obama came to power!! Thank you to everyone for being so entertaining!

I would have thought that a modicum of flexibility/adaptability is an essential requirement for anyone considering working in Saudi - some of the complaints and whinges on this forum about admin/HR/managers/colleagues would be laughable, if they weren't so sad.. unhappy people are unhappy anywhere and are quite 'happy' to project their own inadequacies onto their situation. When in Rome.. etc. If you have problems dealing with 'administration of life' in Saudi, think of the poor saps who were born there and who have to deal with it all their lives.

I am glad there is a hard-core of veterans who give (or try to give) a balanced view - NCTBA, veiled, Mia, Cleo, et al; I doff my hat to you all.

As a newbie to teaching abroad, is it wise to negotiate hard? my family is staying in UK (kids at uni, wife working) so I would be going as a singleton. 45 years old, my first degree is in Chemistry, PGCE in post-16 education, CELTA two years ago (at the insistence of my funding body for the ESOL centre I was running).

Any and all information would be great and gratefully appreciated!!
Laughing

[/quote]

Having taught in several countries I can assure you that the happy person in Saudi is, by far, the exception. The law as written in no way resembles reality. People work illegally because what is told them when they are leaving there home suddenly changes to an alternate reality once they arrive. There are mysterious "probational periods" (before anyone corrects me, that is the spelling used in the Saudi website) that your employer will use as the excuse for not supplying you with the Iqama that is necessary for you to do anything in this place. If you can get a reasonable salary anyplace else, do so. If you are in desperate need of money & even if the actual pay is the same as what you are promised; if you try to show your employer your reasons for being loyal, he will use your need as a weapon to subjugate you. You get trapped by need and the greater the need, the more powerful the weapon.

rigel · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 308

I'm going to the KSA to study how to design film cameras and carburetors. On the side, I'll be learning how to use an abacus. Each of these courses will run me 20 grand USD, but I'm not worried. I believe the future is bright for those who have these skills, based on what somebody else told me. See you there.

positivity · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 9

...if you try to show your employer your reasons for being loyal, he will use your need as a weapon to subjugate you...

Very harsh but true in many situations - I have friends in HR who have been taught to use just these sorts of emotional black-mail techniques to bias contract negotiations in their company's favour. And they work in the UK!! I hope I am not so anieve and wet behind the ears that I would be manipulated this way, but once I'm in country then the advantage is theirs (Mr Bond)

All good advice on here, keep it coming!

destionable · Joined: 11 Aug 2009 Posts: 46 Location: wherever

Dear John:

I was hoping not to have to give grammar lessons to such experienced teachers. Just the other day I went to one of Al Jarir bookstores and I bought the LATEST electronic Destionary and it said the way I used DEMISE is grammatically correct....DUH!!

Anyway, you missed the whole point which was that the busiest place in the KSA is "The Ministry of Labour Disputes"

Have fun ha ha ha
Destionable

johnslat · Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 4:05 pm Post subject:

Dear Destionable,
Oh, I got the point alright. But another point I got was that owning up when you make an error is probably the best option.
Regards,
John

Grendal · Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 4:13 pm Post subject:

2 PAC

johnslat · Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject:

Dear Grendal,
Looks like Tupac could have used a good dictionary, as well.
Regards,
John

destionable · Joined: 11 Aug 2009 Posts: 46 Location: wherever

Dear John:

I am sure you are a fine old soul as are most people posting on this rather amusing forum. Lighten up a little.

LOL
Destionable :lol Laughing

johnslat · Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 4:47 pm Post subject:

Dear Destionable,
BAH, HUMBUG. And who are you calling "old", you whippersnapper? It'll be quite a while before MY demise (inshallah.)
Regards,
John
Laughing

destionable · Joined: 11 Aug 2009 Posts: 46 Location: wherever

Dear John:

Good one!

Razz