Job Discussion Forums

[laylow]

Hello all. I have been thinking about applying to Jazan Poly. However I have heard that there were a lot of issues there with CEN. Not at all trying to trash CEN as most start-up programs struggle in the beginning.

How is the environment now at the college? How are the students? How is the accommodation. Is it a compound or are the teachers spread out in their own flats?

Also I'm curious to know if CEN employees were kept on with SAGIA or did SAGIA 'start from scratch'?

I would appreciate any info from anyone representing either, but particularly anyone still there who was with CEN as they would have a better means to comment on the entire development process from the beginning.

I thank you in advance for any comments.

[feverpitch]

I had an off of a job with Jazan Poly through SAGIA, and this was within the last three weeks.

They are disorganised and struggle to provide the simplest of information, including visa processes. On their contract it says the visa process is yet to be determined...lol

The guy that offered me the position "lost it" with me via email because I asked him how big the apartment was and that I wanted to to stay in the newer compound.

Have a look at other positions if I were you, because there a far too many questions.

If you want to chat on pm I am happy to provide you with my experiences, and then it's up to you.

[veiledsentiments]

fever... you need to get up to 5 posts to use the PMs.

VS

[redhakeem]

I am a teacher who will soon be leaving for Jizan and the speed in which my visa was processed is a little unnerving. Within a 5 day span my visa is being processed and sent back to me. In addition, there was a back and forth email about CEN canceling their contract with SAGIA but when I called CEN to confirm I received an email from the president saying their relationship with SAGIA is still continuing but in a different direction. Unclear and indirect information. I inquired about the security of the compound and was given a general comfort stroke. If anyone can give some background information on the city, school or organization that would be great.

RT

[Beansontoast]

I've also been offered a position at Jizan Poly with SAGIA. I�ve had some questions(briefly) answered between the recruiter and one of the SAGIA staff, but am struggling to get information from anyone teaching/about to start teaching there.

I have just emailed the VP for Academic Affairs with a few questions regarding the course etc., and also requested the contact details of a teacher there. I'll let you know any info I get.

BT

[feverpitch]

Beansontoast- I was recently contacted by a recruiter whom it seems has now taken over from the VP for Academic Affairs for recruiting.

I said to him that I wasn't interested in the position because of the flippant manner of the VP. Things may be better with a recruiter as they will be aware of what answers need to be provided before people get on a plane.

Make sure you get some contact with teachers already at the place before making a decision.

[Beansontoast]

Thanks, feverpitch.

Yes, I will definitely need to speak to some people on the ground there before committing.

The VP's email address was given to me by the SAGIA office in response to a request for a teacher's email address; I'm hoping he'll be able to supply me with some addresses.

My recruiter seems helpful, but I think this is a fairly new project for him, and he�s been fielding a lot of my questions to the SAGIA office.

BT

[Beansontoast]

I�ve just received an email from the VP with answers to some questions about the course.

1. How long has the course been up and running?
-The college was started last April so it is less that one year old.

2.What courses are being taught, curriculum, books etc.?
-We teach five levels of English from beginner to advanced. I have
created the curriculum and all the books are provided. You are
responsible for your students mastering some basic core competencies
for the level you teach. Students who do not come to class or do not
achieved 70% on course work are suspended from the college.

3. What are our teaching goals? Is there a final exam? Continuous/periodic assessment?
- The goal of the lower levels is to move up to the next level. The
goal of the highest level is to be accepted to a 2 year technical
program run by a Canadian college. Students must achieve an overall
band score of 6.0 on the IELTS to be admitted. Teachers do weekly
assessments and I do a midterm and a final each six weeks to assess
the core competencies.

4. How often are students assessed, and by what methods?
-The midterm and final include the four skills: reading, writing,
speaking and listening.

5. What are the students working towards, and is the English component of the course something they need to pass before they can go further? ie. motivation levels.
- see question #3

6. What style and structure of lesson do you want there?
I encourage teachers to interact with all students one on one and
do group activities to help them truly learn English. We have a lot of
experienced teachers who can offer help.

7. What would a typical lesson involve?
- All of the core competencies are taken from the books, so you can
use that material however you like to get the competency learned. A
lot of teachers have students practice each competency in class

Hope this is of some use

BT