Job Discussion Forums

Griff-James · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:31 pm Post subject: The Future of TEFL in KSA

Teachers' wages seem relatively static and their working and living conditions are mediocre, and are not improving.

Why?

This can and will cause problems for the students and institutions.

I can't envisage new teachers staying for any length of time, like they seemed to do in the "old days".

Recruitment is already a problem in some places.

What will happen to TEFL in KSA?

007 · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 2:14 pm Post subject: Re: The Future of TEFL in KSA

Griff-James · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 2:39 pm Post subject:

The quality of education provided in KSA is, generally, poor to begin with. Laughing

By expanding class sizes and keeping salaries and living conditions low, the quality of English language tuition will fall further. I saw this during my time in KSA.

I suspect if this continues there will be a marked drop in the quality of education the students experience.

Have the old timers noticed the effect of increased class sizes, etc?

It's important to ensure the new generation of students is well educated because the need for oil will decline sharply before the oil itself. Shocked

johnslat · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 2:51 pm Post subject:

Dear Griff-James,

The battle over class size was a never-ending one all the time I was in Saudi.
The administration always favors quantity over quality, and that's not something confined to the Kingdom.
Everywhere I've taught, including here in the US, there is constant pressure to increase the number of students per class.
I wish that it were a requirement that ALL school administrators had to have had at least SOME classroom experience. That might make a difference in their thinking.
Unfortunately, in my experience anyway, most are totally clueless about what goes on and what SHOULD go on in a classroom.
Regards,
John

saharastars · Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 107 Location: Wonderland

Its a real pity because this will inevitably impact on the whole culture and ethos of education provision. In the end the reputations of instituitons will be poor, and then potential students will look abroad. Oh yeah I forgot this is already happening, thus a pattern of 'brain & economy drain' will occur. Employers will look to employ those with qualifications from abroad over those from home.

Griff-James · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 3:05 pm Post subject:

Hi John,

Thanks for replying. Smile

The problem goes further than classroom size.

My ex HoD did some research and found that several universities in the Eastern Province were several men down because there was a shortage of people prepared to work in the sandbox for the money and conditions on offer.

I suspect the problems will grow with the increasing use of "recruiters".

HCEG1 · Joined: 20 Oct 2008 Posts: 36

KSA used to offer substantially higher salaries than anywhere else in the Gulf. These days, it's relatively easy to find jobs in Bahrain, Qatar & the UAE which match or exceed the best paying jobs in the Kingdom. BAE Systems, for example, have been taking on Kiwis, Aussies & Irish with dubious qualifications and little or no Middle Eastern experience. Some well qualified former BAE staff have moved on to nicer places for similar money-a no brainer. I see a continuation of this type of exodus. KSA is a dreadful place to live and work compared to the neighbouring Gulf countries

johnslat · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 3:47 pm Post subject:

Does anyone believe there may come a time when they finally realize that what they're doing is not working out well?
Any optimists out there?
Regards,
John

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

Dervish Finkelblatt · Joined: 13 Nov 2009 Posts: 32 Location: West Hollywood

How's their Chinese?