Job Discussion Forums

[ummkhadija]

Hello

I have a quick question about children and schools. Can an American child attend a school that does not have an English speaking staff. My eldest daughter is 4 years old, and I was interested in having her in an Arabic speaking school, but the schools that I have read about are all schools that have an English speaking staff.

She can read, write her letters, and does understand some words in Arabic, but I would like her to be in a school that only has an Arabic speaking staff, is this type of school only for Arabs?

Thank-you

UmmKhadija

[15yearsinQ8]

nationality no bar
private arabic schools may have 35-40 children per class and use learning by rote though

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Unless I'm incorrect, ALL schools have a requirement for Arabic classes no matter the medium of education language.

As this is their part of the sandbox, I agree and think that children should be exposed to both the language and culture in a structured environment. Plus, as international schools all have a host of nationalities, she'd be exposed to Arabic nevertheless...

NCTBA

[ummkhadija]

Thanks 15years & NCTBA,



UmmKhadija

[scot47]

Private school - yes. Your chances of getting a place in a government school are nil unless you have HUGE wasta.

Most of the children in private schools will be non-Saudi.

[ummkhadija]

So, Scot47

I can get my child into a private school, that may have Arabic in their curriculum, but the language spoken in the school will be English (even though the various students can speak other languages)? And a government school is a school with only Saudis, and the language spoken in them is just Arabic?

Also, what is a wasta?

Thanks,

UmmKhadija

[15yearsinQ8]

wasta is the pixy dust which allows us to fly off to neverneverland and never grow up
wasta washes your sins away
wasta gives you jobs, opens doors, allows you to sleep all day, collect your pay and sleep some more

kinda like oxycodin without the shaking withdraws
hhhmmm , nope, i get the shakes whenever i'm out of the ME for too long

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

ummkhadija:

What 15years is trying to express is that "wasta" (Even asking about its meaning shows yer inexperience in this part of the world!) is that of tribal influence that prevails in this part of the world.

Think about the English word "influence". Where you come from...money talks. Here, not so much money talks...tribal connections talk.

Wasta is a quality that is not spoken or talked about in polite company, but exerted when needed. You never know who has the "wasta"...jes' hope that you don't run against the grain of anyone who has it.

That said, jes' being a national of these several nations is "wasta" enough for getting the failing grade of yer lil' "prince" or "princess" changed.

It's a whole 'nother thing...

NCTBA

[ummkhadija]

NCTBA

True, I don't have much experience in the ME, last time I was there (03), it was only for a study abroad program, and since I didn't need any wasta, it was just never mentioned to me ..

But I completely understand what you mean. I'll see where I can get some wasta, when I am back in ME

Thanks for the explanation!

UmmKhadija

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

My dear...wasta is not given...wasta is received. My regards to Khadija...

NCTBA

[ummkhadija]

Point Taken

[scot47]

My advice is only consider working in Jeddah, Riyad or Dhahran but be very careful about choosing your employer. If you know people who are teaching in KSA, contact them for first-hand advice.

Be careful that you do not end up in working for some awful employer in one of the small towns of the Kingdom.

It is not so easy to extricate yourself from a bad workplace here and the employer can still put a stop on you getting another job. (LONO or NOC)