Job Discussion Forums

bollidarling · Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 27 Location: UK

I am not sure if you realise but Bell does not hire all the teachers. There is a company here who rectruit for Obeikan, locally hired as they're known. It was from that source we had problems of fake degrees - and these postings were approved by KSU. Also at the beginning of the project when 150 teachers were needed KSU approved the hiring of about 50 locals - many of whom had taught in local schools WITHOUT degrees and CELTA or the like. At the end of the year KSU then fired the lot.. or rather did not renew their contracts. They had served their purpose.

These issues were in no way linked to Bell.

Don't get me wrong.. Bell has their faults without a doubt, especially with issues over Visa's, allowing their recruits to live in such squalid conditions and misrepresention on their website BUT teachers recruited by Bell were suitably qualified.

Linda467 · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 138 Location: A Secret

Desultude and Cleo, it is hard to believe that it happened but I understand the fundamentals of both your opinions and experience on that subject matter and have no reason to doubt it.

Englishish · Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 78

I gather many things have changed since last year so I have some questions for new and old recruits.

Questions for new recruits:
Had an interview with Bell and was surprised to find that they couldn't answer any questions about the job. I thought an interview was supposed to be a two-way process! I gathered from the website that we'd be teaching up to 25 hours per week but no mention of times/length of classes etc. Are you expected to be on campus between 8 and 5? The interviewer also said something about 48 hours per week (which gave me a nasty shock!) but couldn't tell me how much of this time was allocated to lesson planning (i.e. how many hours per week of other duties I'd be expected to do) or where the the accommodation was, who paid the bills etc. Also no mention made of money. Does anyone have any info on any of these things? I see from the website that you're supposed to accept the offer and send documents BEFORE you receive a contract!
Application process: http://www.bell-worldwide.com/locations/saudi-arabia/jobs/docs/Application%20process.pdf

For new/old recruits:
The interviewer also said that I couldn't go out alone and had to have another female to accompany me! I gather this isn't a legal requirement but is this actually expected/enforced by the company? Has anyone else been told this?

I know the new semester is supposed to be starting tomorrow so it would be good if anyone can keep me informed.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

johnslat · Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 2:48 pm Post subject:

Dear Englishish,
I definitely second what VS posted. This recruiter sounds like someone who has never even been to the Kingdom and is making it up as he/she goes along.
Thef act that none of your questions about the job were answered is a BIG red flag. If at all possible, you should, I'd say, avoid this company.

Regards,
John

Englishish · Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 78

Thanks John. Not what I wanted to hear but good to get some feedback. Maybe someone should start a thread on places which aren't too bad to work for! It's difficult to get information on (half) decent places!

johnslat · Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 4:22 pm Post subject:

Dear Englishish,
What are your qualifications/experience? If you have an MA and about three years overseas (preferably in the Middle East, but that's not essential), there may be better choices.
Regards,
John

Englishish · Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 78

Unfortunately I've only got a BA with 2 years full-time teaching which means I'm pretty limited. (Part -time doesn't seem to count.) Back to the drawing board.

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 11:29 pm Post subject:

Englishish · Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 78

I've never liked the idea of having to rely on other people for me to be able to go and do things. I think it could be a serious problem if I wasn't allowed out alone!

bollidarling · Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 27 Location: UK

Hi

I have lived here for 8 months and must say a lot of what is being said is simply untrue. The recruiters in the UK have obviously not been here and using a standard spiel.

We can go out on our own, and do. We have a reasonable amount of freedom (within the laws of Islam of course) and go out walking (although it's usually far too hot to want to), go to westrn compounds for parties and swimming, go shopping and out for dinner on our own or with the guys from the male campus, go camping overnight in the desert and often stay over on compounds or at Embassies if we choose.

Certainly we're restricted in what we can wear to work and have to wear the abaya (not headscarf) when out in public and have to aware of where we are.

Essentially common sense prevails and so far there isn't anything I can't do here that I can do in a western country although it's more covert.

We have a great social life here and many of us have said that because of the restrictions our social life is really hectic and we never spend a weekend without one or more 'parties' or dances.

Don't listen to women who haven't been here.. it's only hearsay.

Cheers

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA