Job Discussion Forums

[ksam]

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to do some research on International Schools in Saudi Arabia, but am coming up short in my search of the forum archives.

Having had a negative experience working in a private school in the Kingdom, I'd rather not go the private route again. Although I am currently completing a MA, I have relatively little teaching experience and do not want to look into university positions.

Has anyone taught in an International School in KSA (or maybe Oman?). Can you provide some guidance as to where to start my search? Are there any names to look out for (good or bad?). What credentials do the better schools look for? Salary ranges for teachers with 1-2 years teaching experience (non-TEFL)?

The last time I took a job abroad I was naive and did little to no research before hand. Once bitten, twice shy...I don't want to make the same mistake twice.

Thanks for your help!

[scot47]

For good international schools in the region you will need certified teacher status in your own country, plus at least 2 years experience.

Schools to look at in KSA include BISAK and Dhahran Academy in Eastern Province. Jeddah Prep and the Continental School in the West.

Try a google.

[veiledsentiments]

Scot is correct... without the teaching certificate/license from your home country, you won't be eligible for any of the good international schools jobs. You would be most likely to end up just like the place where you had the bad experience.

An MA isn't much help for K-12 jobs...

VS
(all fixed... thanks John)

[johnslat]

Dear veiledsentiments,

I could be wrong (it happened once, back in the 50s) but I think you meant to type "without" rather than "with."

"with the teaching certificate/license from your home country, you won't be eligible for any of the good international schools jobs.

Regards,
John

[trapezius]

Listen to the posters who have already responded.

There are 3 types of private schools in Saudi where foreigners can/do get jobs:

Western-managed Western-curriculum:
If you have teacher certification from a Western country, you can get a job at such schools. Without it, you can't. These are the best schools and pay the highest. Pay ranges from SR. 12,000 to SR. 15,000 for new teachers. Some teachers working in such schools for a long time are raking in SR. 20,000!

Arab/Asian-managed Western-curriculum:
These will take you now, but the pay isn't great, usually in the SR. 4,000 to SR. 7,000 range. You might be able to negotiate up to SR. 8,000 if you are Caucasian due to the "halo effect" you will be bringing to the school, but generally, you won't find many Caucasians at such schools if any.

Saudi/Arab-managed Saudi private schools:
Note the coloring. They will also take you now, but you do not want to work at these. They pay somewhere in between, usually SR. 8,000 to SR. 10,000 for a Caucasian teacher. Students are extremely spoilt and filthy rich. Administration usually meddling and interfering.

For names and websites of international schools, search on Google using keywords international + school + saudi. There is also an entry in Wikipedia on international/private schools in Saudi.

P.S. International schools are also private schools. Perhaps you meant you don't want to work in a Saudi private school again.

What's your subject?

[ksam]

Many thanks for the information and advice!

I should have clarified that I have yet to complete my (provincial) teaching certification, but will be starting this coming September. I'll be training for J/I Language Arts. The Masters I'm finishing up is in SLT. I'm thinking my best bet would be complete a year of full time classroom teaching before I look into schools abroad...though there is an overflow of newly certified teachers here and all without jobs because the number of teachers retiring is so low.