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Rooster_2006
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
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 Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:41 pm Post subject: A Few Questions About Teaching in the Middle East |
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I'm considering teaching in the Middle East, but have a few questions first.
My qualifications at the time I make the move will be:
- BS degree (irrelevant major)
- CELTA
- One year of official teaching experience (in other words with a valid teaching visa) at a buxiban in Taiwan
Here are my questions:
1. Which country in the Middle East has the best savings potential? I've been seeing insanely high salaries like $3,500 or $4,000 a month. That's like 5x my salary as a part-time teacher in Taiwan. I've learned through experience that things that seem too good to be true usually are. Are those salaries really true? Would it be possible to put $30,000 a year into the bank if I lived like a monk?
2. I've heard some people talk about two-year or three-year contracts. How feasible is it to just get a one-year contract? |
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Deicide
Joined: 29 Jul 2006
Posts: 1005
Location: Caput Imperii Americani
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: A Few Questions About Teaching in the Middle East |
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| Rooster_2006 wrote: |
I'm considering teaching in the Middle East, but have a few questions first.
My qualifications at the time I make the move will be:
- BS degree (irrelevant major)
- CELTA
- One year of official teaching experience (in other words with a valid teaching visa) at a buxiban in Taiwan
Here are my questions:
1. Which country in the Middle East has the best savings potential? I've been seeing insanely high salaries like $3,500 or $4,000 a month. That's like 5x my salary as a part-time teacher in Taiwan. I've learned through experience that things that seem too good to be true usually are. Are those salaries really true? Would it be possible to put $30,000 a year into the bank if I lived like a monk?
2. I've heard some people talk about two-year or three-year contracts. How feasible is it to just get a one-year contract? |
Where is your MA? |
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Rooster_2006
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: A Few Questions About Teaching in the Middle East |
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| Deicide wrote: |
| Rooster_2006 wrote: |
I'm considering teaching in the Middle East, but have a few questions first.
My qualifications at the time I make the move will be:
- BS degree (irrelevant major)
- CELTA
- One year of official teaching experience (in other words with a valid teaching visa) at a buxiban in Taiwan
Here are my questions:
1. Which country in the Middle East has the best savings potential? I've been seeing insanely high salaries like $3,500 or $4,000 a month. That's like 5x my salary as a part-time teacher in Taiwan. I've learned through experience that things that seem too good to be true usually are. Are those salaries really true? Would it be possible to put $30,000 a year into the bank if I lived like a monk?
2. I've heard some people talk about two-year or three-year contracts. How feasible is it to just get a one-year contract? |
Where is your MA? |
No MA. Is an MA necessary to teach in Saudi Arabia? |
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Deicide
Joined: 29 Jul 2006
Posts: 1005
Location: Caput Imperii Americani
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: A Few Questions About Teaching in the Middle East |
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| Rooster_2006 wrote: |
| Deicide wrote: |
| Rooster_2006 wrote: |
I'm considering teaching in the Middle East, but have a few questions first.
My qualifications at the time I make the move will be:
- BS degree (irrelevant major)
- CELTA
- One year of official teaching experience (in other words with a valid teaching visa) at a buxiban in Taiwan
Here are my questions:
1. Which country in the Middle East has the best savings potential? I've been seeing insanely high salaries like $3,500 or $4,000 a month. That's like 5x my salary as a part-time teacher in Taiwan. I've learned through experience that things that seem too good to be true usually are. Are those salaries really true? Would it be possible to put $30,000 a year into the bank if I lived like a monk?
2. I've heard some people talk about two-year or three-year contracts. How feasible is it to just get a one-year contract? |
Where is your MA? |
No MA. Is an MA necessary to teach in Saudi Arabia? |
No, but it is for those salaries you are talking about. |
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Rooster_2006
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:02 pm Post subject: Re: A Few Questions About Teaching in the Middle East |
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| Deicide wrote: |
| Rooster_2006 wrote: |
| Deicide wrote: |
| Rooster_2006 wrote: |
I'm considering teaching in the Middle East, but have a few questions first.
My qualifications at the time I make the move will be:
- BS degree (irrelevant major)
- CELTA
- One year of official teaching experience (in other words with a valid teaching visa) at a buxiban in Taiwan
Here are my questions:
1. Which country in the Middle East has the best savings potential? I've been seeing insanely high salaries like $3,500 or $4,000 a month. That's like 5x my salary as a part-time teacher in Taiwan. I've learned through experience that things that seem too good to be true usually are. Are those salaries really true? Would it be possible to put $30,000 a year into the bank if I lived like a monk?
2. I've heard some people talk about two-year or three-year contracts. How feasible is it to just get a one-year contract? |
Where is your MA? |
No MA. Is an MA necessary to teach in Saudi Arabia? |
No, but it is for those salaries you are talking about. |
So what are the salaries like for someone with a BS/one year of experience/CELTA? |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Rooster_2006,
Why not do a google search?
ESL Instructor
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Job Description: Skyline Global has URGENT openings and seeks qualified EFL Instructors for KING SAUD UNIVERSITY's preparatory English program in Saudi Arabia. You will only find these positions through Skyline Global Solutions (http://www.skylinetechsolutions.com), a leader in international teaching jobs in Saudi Arabia. Duration: 1 year contract. Location: Riyadh, KSA Availability: October 2009 (Immediately) We can process the following two types of candidates below only.
Job Details: Candidate type 1: (US, UK, Canadian, located in country outside of Saudi Arabia) Must be a native English speaker and currently residing US, Canada, or Britain. We are looking for people to start within 2 weeks; we can process your visa within a week. Citizenship: US, UK, or Canada (Native English) Gender: Males only Candidate type 2: (Must current reside in Saudi Arabia, cannot be on employment visa) Must be a native English speaker and currently residing in Saudi Arabia (not on an employment visa). We are looking for people to start as soon as this weekend (10/3); we can process you immediately. Citizenship: US, UK, or Canada Gender: Males or Females o apply: Please review the requirements below and to apply your resume/C.B in word format to [email protected] , please put King Saud in the subject header. Visit their program website at: http://www.ksu.edu.sa/sites/py/departments/enSkills/Pages/default.aspx Requirements below: IN ORDER TO QUALIFY, YOU MUST BE A CANADIAN, US, OR BRITISH CITIZEN. AMERICANS are required to have English/Education related degrees. The Prospective Instructor must possess at least one of the following credentials to qualify for this position: - Bachelors' Degree - 1-2 years of teaching experience, or no experience required if candidate has English related BA degree. - Hardworking, dynamic and computer literate. - Native English speakers only
Other Details: Compensation Package: - Basic salary. = $3000-3500 USD - Housing. = Fully Paid - Transportation. = Fully Paid - Health insurance, Airfare, Visa and sponsorship paid. - 30 days Vacation and holidays paid. - Sick days paid - Total package = $3533-4150 USD
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.skylinetechsolutions.com
http://www.jobstefl.com/riyadh.asp
But please note - skylinesolutions is a recruiter, and, if you use the search function here to investigate, I believe you'll find that some posters consider them to be, shall we say, less than fully trustworthy.
Here's a link to one such tread to get you started:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=74088&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=skyline&start=15
Regards,
John |
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trapezius
Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| No, but it is for those salaries you are talking about. |
Perhaps, but not necessarily. Recruiting companies have been known to offer up to $3,500 (and maybe more) even to those with a BA (even if in Fantasy Studies), TEFL certificate, and 1 year experience.
| Quote: |
| Which country in the Middle East has the best savings potential? |
Saudi Arabia, without a doubt. No movie theaters, bars, women, clubs, museums, etc. (my statement is more or less correct)
| Quote: |
| Are those salaries really true? Would it be possible to put $30,000 a year into the bank if I lived like a monk? |
Yes, those salaries are real. You can easily put away 75% of your earnings (some people put away 50%, and then some 90%). But 75% is realistic. So, on a salary of $3,000-$3,500 per month (something you can realistically get), that means $27,000 to $31,500 savings per year. |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:30 am Post subject: |
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| trapezius wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Which country in the Middle East has the best savings potential? |
Saudi Arabia, without a doubt. No movie theaters, bars, women, clubs, museums, etc. (my statement is more or less correct) |
Brilliant "more or less correct" couching, Trap. You are, indeed, more or less correct, but that depends on how high or low you set the bar. Most going the kop set the bar low (i.e. BA with no interest in actually learning how to teach to feriners) while some go in that way, but take advantage of the stark existance that you describe to take their second, higher degree to either move up in the kop (i.e. KFUPM...must be doing something good evidenced by all the positive remarks) or move over to adjoining countries to get better pay/benes...and...hold for it...
LIFESTYLE.
Yes, there are better paying gigs that offer a life as well.
That being said: If you have the proper quals and experience, there are MUCH better places earning MUCH higher wages than the kop. I expect to take home DOUBLE the riches I excised out of the kop...even in my best year.
NCTBA |
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Asda
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 231
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:36 am Post subject: |
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NCTBA, what does KoP stand for? Kingdom of...?
Trap et al, I heard Oman was very cheap to live in as well, plus they have a stronger currency than the Saudi Riyal. |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:25 am Post subject: |
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You capitalize...I minimize. kop = kingdom of pain...my own little term ever since the tried to rebrand themselves as the "kingdom of humanity" or koh.
But really, it isn't MY disrespect for the country, it's that in arabic, there are no upper case letters, so why should we impose them. "riyadh" is "ar riyadh" in arabic.
NCTBA (definitively non-arabic) |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Asda wrote: |
| Trap et al, I heard Oman was very cheap to live in as well, plus they have a stronger currency than the Saudi Riyal. |
Oman is cheaper, but the teacher pay is lower. Both the Omani Riyal and the Saudi Riyal are based on the dollar.
VS |
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Asda
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 231
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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NCTBA, the Kingdom of Humanity is slowly starting to become the Kingdom of Profanity...tho I can't complain, for me it safer in many respects than Britsh (sic), not mention cheaper!
(BTW, how come it is SOOOOOOOOOO widespread for Arabs to call Britain "British"?!?)
Well, I think that due to the oversaturation of the ESL teaching market, the Saudis have gotten wise to this and have lowered their salaries compared to about 10-15 years ago. Another thing is that non-natives (non-Arab tho) have started to be employed (such as Poles and Ukranians in King Abdulaziz Univ in Jeddah), so still different from the Tunisians and Egyptians of old who'd teach them English in Arabic.
As some people say (probs due to less hours and more holidays than office workers), teaching is a "never be poor but never be rich" profession, so I guess the earning power comes from doing extra tuition out of hours (please check your contract cos if it's illegal, word can get around VERY quickly - especially from jealous, backstabbing colleagues). It's good if you are single, but with family, it can put a strain on things at home.
Gone are the days of the late 70s and early 80s, when working in Saudi for 10 or so years could enable you to buy a house in the UK or US outright. The average house price in the UK is around the 100K GBP mark. No idea about the US, but I am starting to wonder about Canada... |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 4:49 am Post subject: |
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Well, you put yer finger right on the pulse of the kop, but yer fergittin' the 90's when I arrived there. With our saudi winning we nearly bought our house outright, but that's because we chose to live in the best part of town.
Even with the mortgage, it was paid off in 16 months...ironically the same amount of time it took me to gain my Masters that led to my escape of the losers in saudi that you mentio. 
NCTBA |
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Asda
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 231
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| Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:23 am Post subject: |
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NCTBA: C'mon, losers is a bit harsh for the ESL Massive out in the KoH, n'est-ce pas?
Ah yes, who can forget the early 1990s when the Amrikis came to liberate the Gulf from the (potential...ahem!) invasion and tyranny of That_Guy_From_Tikrit. It was NOT for the black stuff under the ground, George Bush Freedom Park in Kuwait is testament to that!!
In the grand scheme of things, that was what probably sparked off the modernisation (albeit slowass) of Soodi Arabia. After that, satellite TV was allowed and I'd say most Saudis in Jeddah wear jeans as opposed to the thobe/dishdasha. And they also throw in the odd "OK?" when speaking amongst themselves.
There is a generally strong desire for them to learn English. I just hope they don't flush their Arab/Arabic heritage down the toilet as per Dubai... |
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Rooster_2006
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
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| Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 12:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Never Ceased To Be Amazed wrote: |
Well, you put yer finger right on the pulse of the kop, but yer fergittin' the 90's when I arrived there. With our saudi winning we nearly bought our house outright, but that's because we chose to live in the best part of town.
Even with the mortgage, it was paid off in 16 months...ironically the same amount of time it took me to gain my Masters that led to my escape of the losers in saudi that you mentio.
NCTBA |
Hahaha, you hit the reason I want to work in Saudi for a year dead-on -- home ownership...
Of course, in my idea of "home ownership" the bar is set pretty low, so I'm hoping to accomplish it in a year.
Work there for a year.
Save $30,000.
Buy land out in the sticks for $20,000 or less:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hawaii-Land-for-Sale-7-000-00-CASH-51-672-Sq-Ft_W0QQitemZ260505892667QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLand?hash=item3ca75c773b
...and put a nice cabin on it for $10,000 or less:
http://www.summerwood.com/products/cabins/canmore/s/index.html
...and still have enough money left over for a financial cushion and a housewarming party!
Never pay rent or worry about having a roof over my head or paying the mortgage/rent ever again. Work from home as a freelance programmer. That's the dream. 
It sounds like as soon as I finish my current year in Taiwan, I'll be packing up and heading to Saudi. |
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