Job Discussion Forums

[MecMS]

Hi. I am in a pretty specific situation and would appreciate all feedback from the posters in this forum since many of you have experience and insight that I lack.

I have a CELTA and two years' experience at an IH school in Europe. I also have 18 months of EFL teaching experience in the U.S. and other U.S. teaching experience (I am certified to teach Spanish for grades K-12 in my home state).

I didn't receive many responses from Middle Eastern schools/postings during June and July, but now there is a buzz. I widened my scope to Asia to help ensure that I am offered/accept some job, and there are e-mails and calls flooding in.

I have preferred teaching teens/young adults in the past and am a big city person, but I am willing to forgo either or both if need be.

Since this is late in the game and many schools are beginning fall semesters, I don't want to wait too long to make a decision, but I also don't want to settle for something unfavorable.

What do you think is the minimum salary I should expect or ask for in Saudi Arabia given my qualifications and experience? What about a different Middle Eastern country? I have not received any offers from other nations and have had trouble even finding listings. Are there places I should contact or look to try to get work in other countries?

What are the advantages/disadvantages to working in Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Hasa, or Dammam?

Many thanks in advance for all help.

[veiledsentiments]

It seems that most of your questions would be found on the Saudi branch here.

Another option would be Oman. There are a number of jobs in outlying colleges/universities. You should be able to locate job adverts on the usual boards... do a search on the jobs page here. I know that the University of Nizwa needs teachers, but they don't have it up on their website.

The money isn't stellar, but the lifestyle is better than Saudi. You can at least buy beer and sit on your balcony enjoying it... when it isn't Ramadhan, of course. I do believe that some of the ads mention salary range.

VS

[MecMS]

Thanks for your reply. Should I expect salaries in Oman to always be less than salaries in KSA? I know that KSA is considered the most conservative country in the Middle East, but are there non-alcohol-related ways in which Oman offers a better lifestyle than KSA? Are there any cities that are interesting? It doesn't appear that there are any big ones, at least none as big as Riyadh (for example). Does one feel trapped in a small city after awhile? Excuse my ignorance; I have never been on the ground over there to have a sense of the situation.