Job Discussion Forums

lamluma · Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Posts: 6 Location: Minnesota

Hello--

Am considering a teaching job at either Al Baha University or Al Jazan University in KSA. I am a PhD holder of English Literature from the University of Minnesota with 15 years of teaching experience--in all disciplines English composition, TESL, English Literature etc. I know they will only take 5 years of teaching experience.

Al Baha has offered me 11,830 per month (all together with the additions), with up to four airline tickets, free medical insurance, one time furniture allowance, housing allowance. It is a one year contract.

Al Jazan has asked me to consult with them before i sign a contract, as they are confident that they can match it or pay higher.

Any help really on either one of the universities would help. Thanks.

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

lamluma · Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Posts: 6 Location: Minnesota

Sorry:
1 year contract
11,830 SR
25,000 housing allowance
12,500 furniture (one time only)
My ticket, and up to four for dependents
Medical--free.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need me to make it clearer. Thanks.

lamluma · Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Posts: 6 Location: Minnesota

11,830 per month Very Happy

johnslat · Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 1:13 pm Post subject:

Dear lamluma,

Considering your qualifications and experience, that's really an insulting offer.

Regards,
John

lamluma · Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Posts: 6 Location: Minnesota

I thought so, but I just wanted to be sure. My husband and I sat and calculated it and it turns out that i would be barely making 20 dollars per hour--since the workload is at least 36 hours a week. Thanks.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

You would not be teachine English Literature as you understand it. Basic, Elementary and Remedial EFL more likely.

lamluma · Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Posts: 6 Location: Minnesota

Yeah i know--even though i explicitly asked them what i would be teaching and they did mention some literature courses but i do know that i will be mostly teaching ESL classes--writing, spoken English etc. After mentioning some literature courses, they mentioned a string of ESL classes It's really hard to trust the offers that come ones way i guess. I don't know how much smart and savvy figure into this when one is far away, and the only communication is through email!

Has it so happened that someone has gone there and:

1)Ended up teaching more hours than initially agreed upon? I did ask them that and they said they would pay me overtime. It was a little more than the $20 dollars for regular hours.

2) Ended up teaching courses outside of their major?

How did they deal with such situations?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

This thread would be better off in the Saudi branch or the General Middle East branch I would think...

VS

PS: Why are you even considering this ridiculous and insulting offer? You should be laughing out loud in their face and moving on...

mimi_intheworld · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 167 Location: UAE

Agreed (both on moving the thread and the ridiculousness of the offer). I am only beginning my career in the Middle East, and with far less experience or qualifications, the starting wage for me is far higher. I'd say keep looking.

lamluma · Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Posts: 6 Location: Minnesota

I am moving forward and looking for other opportunities--i just wanted to get some input that i made the right choice. But what would in your opinions be a good offer. Some are asking me to name my price. What would be reasonable? Thanks.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Any legitimate professional tertiary institution should have a pay scale based on your education and experience... they should make an offer, then you decide whether it is enough.

First off, expand your search to the rest of the Gulf too. With a PhD and 15 years of experience, you should be looking at a minimum of US$5000 per month plus free furnished housing, tickets, education allowances for kids, medical, gratuities... not to mention a 2-3 year contract.

The first place you should be looking at is the American University in Sharjah. Another good choice would be the American University in Cairo.

VS

kopeyka · Joined: 10 Nov 2010 Posts: 5

I spent a year there way back when if it's the same place - it used to be Al Baha College of Science and Technology). Very easy and relaxed teaching atmosphere (if too many unruly students - par for the course) and accommodation was 100 metres from the classrooms. But the whole set-up is high up on the highest mountain in a mountainous area, so no transport = no good: the nearest shop is (was) a good 4 KM away. Back then they had no gym or pool but I don't know now. This made a car even more important (there's a sport complex about 20 mins away, on the road to the airport).

Nice town and friendly folk, even though it's a very conservative area. Winter could get a bit grim but great spring-summer-autumn climate, appreciable especially when it's 40+ just a few miles down the mountain pass on the plain. Beautiful scenery both up in the mountains and down below by the sea (when you find the right places away from where the locals usually get to ith their plastic bottles/bags and tin cans).

As regards the contract, as usual the high housing allowance etc masks the fact that the end-of-year bonus will only TIC the basic salary (your 11,830). With your experience and quals, the financial stuff is a bit of an insult. And the dean was a bit loopy.