Job Discussion Forums

[teflguyusa]

Hello,

I got an email from recruiter in San Diego today, i've copied and pasted below his email, please let me know if you have any information about this agency or this college in Riyadh.

Has anybody worked for this company or dealt with this agency before? I looked at the forums and there is only 1 posting back in 2012 but it did not have much info about the. Any info would be much appreciated! Thanks for your time!

Mod edit

Here is a brief job description with the requirements:

Aviation Australia Riyadh College of Excellence
English Language Instructor – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Must be native English speaker from one of these native countries (United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand or South Africa)
• Bachelor’s degree from recognized university
• TEFL/TESL Certification such as CELTA or equivalent
• Minimum of 3 years full-time relevant ESL/EFL teaching experience to adults

[nomad soul]

A quick Internet search on Aviation Australia Riyadh College of Excellence pulls up the following:

"Training school Aviation Australia expects to have up to 2,500 students go through its new facility in Saudi Arabia. The company has set up Aviation Australia Riyadh College of Excellence (AARCOE) at King Khalid International Airport in partnership with the locally-based Shamal Investments. The facility includes a hangar and aircraft maintenance training environment, Aviation Australia said in a statement, with the first courses to start in December 2014." (http://australianaviation.com.au/2014/09/aviation-australia-sets-up-saudi-training-school/)

It's another school within the Colleges of Excellence system (http://coe.com.sa/Defaulte.aspx). It hasn't even opened, so obviously there's not much about it yet.

[teflguyusa]

Thanks, it's good to know that they will open in December, it gives me more background info on this school. thanks Nomad Soul!

[nomad soul]

If you're thinking of signing on, keep in mind that as a new program within a new school, it's likely to be rough for the first couple or so years. So expect a lot of disorganization, ambiguity, high turnover, low morale, indecisive leadership, etc. (Frankly, that describes quite a few established programs in KSA...)

[coder]

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[scot47]

They will be in the business of selling dreams to the doting parents of Saudi Youth. "Your son can be a PILOT ! Our training programme is the path to SUCCESS !" But first the hapless EFL instructor will have to see that the son, already exposed to at least 10 years of English in school, gets to the mandated level of Spoken and Written English.

A recipe for grief for the poor TEFLer

http://aviationenglish.com/

[The Fifth Column]

Rule o' Thumb Numba 1 of ANY employment in Sowdy Araby:

STEER CLEAR OF ANY "INSTITUTION", "SCHOOL", "UNIVERSITY", "COLLEGE", ETC. THAT INCORPORATES "EXCELLENCE" OR "PRESTIGE" IN ITS NAME!

Sow's ear...silk purse...and all that it entails...

[fledex]

$40-$45K annual salary, plus all the usual benefits American companies in Saudi offer. Think again about the long term effects of low-ball salaries.

[nomad soul]

[coder]

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[fledex]

[nomad soul]

However, Aviation Australia has also posted EFL teacher ads (that don't mention Salient) on Gulf Talent and other sites including their own. As for Salient, they had older job postings; however, the most recent is on the Cafe's job board (http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=33248). Their previous postings targeted applicants from other English-speaking countries as well (http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=32221), which gave a bit more info.

Oddly, none of Salient's ads---old or new---include info on salary range or benefits. They're certainly not asking much in terms of qualifications to teach at this vocational school, which will likely be reflected in the salaries.

[coder]

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[nomad soul]

The ads posted by Australia Aviation state the following regarding benefits: "AARCOE employees will enjoy a monthly base salary paid in Saudi Arabian Riyal, Housing and Transport Allowance, Private Medical Cover, free parking and Visa processing costs covered."

It's unclear if employees get a housing allowance or if housing is provided. I suspect it's an allowance... or not.

Here's more on Australia Aviation regarding their connection to English language training programs (in Australia): http://www.aviationaustralia.aero/international/English-Language.php

[coder]

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