Job Discussion Forums

[jammes]

Can anyone at KAU or who has been there tell me a bit about the teaching?

The levels of the students, the materials and resources, etc. Higher level composition classes? Lower level elementary/introductory courses? Lots and lots of mandatory-usage technological enhancements?

And then I have read in a couple of threads that teachers� salaries are sometimes (often?) not as high as teachers were led to believe before coming over. Knowledgeable comments would be most welcome.

[jammes]

Hello out there,

I am still hoping to receive informative replies to my earlier post regarding teaching and salaries that can be expected once on-site.

Shoukran and all of that... j.

[jammes]

Another day's post to try and make sure that this plea for information stays on the Saudi forum first page.

Thanks to one and all for reading... j.

[RachelW]

Jammes, I've taught some English programs at the Deanship of Community Service at KAU. They were all special programs that required me to design new lessons. Some of the students who registered for the TOEFL classes had very weak communication skills to say the least. Sorry I couldn't offer you much more than this. I worked as a freelance teacher, so I can't speak about salaries for those under their sponsorship.

[jammes]

Thank you for your response, Rachel. Would you be able to comment on the technological resources used in the ESL department's classrooms there?

Smartboards, Mooggle (or moodle?), daily powerpointing, etc.? Did you make use of these or similar type technologies in your teaching? Was it highly desired by department heads/managers that you do so?

Thanks again. I very much appreciate your feedback. j.

[RachelW]

Sorry Jammes, my experience is limted to the Deanship of Community Service. I've not taught in the ESL Department's classrooms. I will say that even in the Deanship of CS the classrooms are quite nice. Powerful projectors with huge screens and networked computers, no smartboards. I use Powerpoint shows for my classes. This is encouraged, but not required.

[Hatcher]

James
Do a search on this site for KAU and you will find lots. You can also PM me.

[baa_baa]

hi james,

I am being recruited right now by this uni. However what happened is that after they asked for a copy of my passport they told me that my references need to be renewed. I renewed it and have not heard from them for about 72 hrs now.

I received a congrats letter but not an offer with a salary. they have offered 17 000 on housing
500 monthly transportation
50% on furniture allowance.
its a one year--I am going to call it a precontract.

They said they would get back to me on the salary. Did the same thing happen to you? did you get your eticket and visa? In how much time did you get it?

so sorry this is offtopic...

[kool2bliz]

quite honestly the only piece of technology that is used is the projector

[kool2bliz]

your salary would depend on the number of qaulifications and experience you have. typically with a masters degree, celta and four years experience you would be earning around 14k-16k. however on the downside you would teaching a bunch of students who arent motivated to work,obnoxious, silly and very rude.
if you want some more info u can pm me directly with you questions

[cmp45]

[RachelW]

[kool2bliz]

there no winning here even when you do your uttermost best to make your class fun you would still end up with a bunch of silly students who think that the world evolves around them

[johnslat]

Dear kool2bliz,

"there no winning here even when you do your uttermost best to make your class fun you would still end up with a bunch of silly students who think that the world evolves around them."

True, I'm sure in many/most places in the Kingdom, but not universally true there.

By the way, I think you probably meant to write " . . . who think the world revolves around them," although I suppose a case could be made for your choice of word (i.e. that the world evolves around them while they remain static .)

Regards,
John