Job Discussion Forums

[brnrd]

Thanks to all posters, as that overview was quite helpful. As to the age topic, well that's just where ESL/EFL is heading.The country I was in for over 20 years had no age limit,but now seems to be codifying at around 54, some as low as 35! Supply and demand.However, it's not JUST age that is going down

Cheers,
William

[BajaLaJaula]

Plenty of posts about the kind of expat TEFLers that go to Saudi Arabia. Here goes another one.

Types who go to Saudi....(some are a combination of two or more types).

(RED)Type 1: Religiously motivated. They go to Saudi for the proximity to holy places. Some find that the ultra-orthodox interpretation is not to their liking. Others are very happy living a very conservative Saudi Muslim lifestyle.

(BLUE)Type 2: Recently divorced or escaping a troubled marriage. They come to Saudi to get away from an unhappy home life or to try to refill the coffers that have been emptied by a divorce.

(ORANGE)Type 3: Weirdos. Unable to get a decent job in the West, they feel fortunate to have a good paying job in KSA. Their eccentricities have kept them from being able to keep a decent job in the West. We are talking about real crazies here. They seem to stay in KSA and thrive since living on a compound in an artificial environment where you don't have to interact with the world is a perfect environment. Being a good teacher isn't necessarily a requirement either so they can get away with drill and kill in the classroom.

(GREEN)Type 4: Alcoholics. They come to Saudi thinking that they will finally be able to kick the habit but instead find out that it is the best place to come to if you want to maintain a job and drink heavily.

(YELLOW)Type 5: Short timers. At the beginning or the end of their careers and have a clear goal of working in KSA for just a few years and then move on to bigger and better things. For the older folks it is a chance to pad the retirement fund. For the young it gives them chance to pay off their school loans.

(WHITE)Type 6: Homebodies. The aspiring writers come to KSA to take advantage of all of the down-time. Work 6 hours a day and come home to a quiet apartment where you can read and re-read your favorite books and can finally start working on that novel. These folks don't need nightclubs or other social outings. They can join a running club or a knitting club that meets once a week and that is plenty of interaction for them. Probably the most "normal" type.

(FLAMING)Type 7: No need to expound on this one.

[CANDLES]

Which one are you?

[BajaLaJaula]

Short timer.....that stayed longer than I should have.

[brnrd]

Well, I'm a combo of a few of these,so I guess KSA isn't as unique to any particular "type" of ESL teacher.

Type 7 "Flaming" I'm confused,because I've only seen that in reference to overly feminine(gay) men.But I must be wrong in my interpretation,as I would assume this is certainly NOT the place to go,if you were gay.

I've actually been trying to come to terms with the fact that I am going there single,and will be staying single for the length of my stay.Assuming I don't get fired, imprisoned(or ?), or quit-or any other surprise life wants to throw my way.
Cheers,
William

[veiledsentiments]

[scot47]

There are quite a few who have alternative sexual interests. Ravers abound.

[BajaLaJaula]

Just about anything can be had there...just behind closed doors.

I didn't mean to offend anyone with the Type 7. But for those who like that sort of thing it seems to be a mecca (no pun intended).

[In the heat of the moment]

BajaLaJaula, that was a very funny, thoroughly offensive, and pretty accurate post apart from the obvious generalisations.

Not sure about the colours, though; Type 1 should be white, Type 3 gamboge, Type 4 red, and Type 6 beige.

Good post, though.