Job Discussion Forums

Seeker786 · Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 12

One more thing, I have heard MUCH worse stories about teaching Male Saudi students. Young Saudi women are generally respectful and curious about foreign teachers. I think us women have it easy on ONE thing at least in the kingdom Wink

NewInTownTEFLer · Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 13

IMHO, it's not easy being a young person/ teenager these days.. and in KSA, unimaginable!!!..
being young and restless..rebellious.. we have all been there, done that..
students are much younger and we should give them a chance ..in learning (English)as well as in life skills..

..

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

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

It's always prayer time when you want to go shopping. I have to drive a half hour to the nearest supermarket. Then I found out they closed a full hour before sundown prayer during Ramadan. I should have known better, after four years in Jeddah in the early '90s. Furthermore, the prayer time shifts by a couple of minutes every day.

I have really nice and attentive male students, aside from a few sleepyheads, and that's because where I work, losers actually flunk out early. It makes a big difference.

NewInTownTEFLer · Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 13

Dear Sheik
Did your students/ coleagues ever ask you to join the prayers?
My personal opinion, that would be a good idea to sit, close your eyes, and practice breathing exercie..
IN Thailand, I was always invited to attend Buddhist ceremonies ( didnt understand a word), and Mass if thats a Christain college..and I always joined in to show respect, knowing mutually that they couldnt convert me into anything..

Linda467 · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 138 Location: A Secret

Seeker,

Thanks very much for the info on the timetables, very useful. Any idea where I can get hold of a timetable so I can plan around it? I�m the eternal girlscout .... prepared, prepared, prepared Laughing

Highly appreciated

Linda

Chthon · Joined: 03 Jun 2009 Posts: 54

NewInTownTEFLer · Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 13

Did that cvonvo take place inside class ? How did you respond when your students told you " you are going to Hell"? Do share ....all of us might learn a good response ..

007 · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 12:01 pm Post subject:

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:14 pm Post subject:

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:54 pm Post subject:

Chthon is right.

Islamic prayers consist of very precisely timed genuflections etc, and are preceeded by ritual ablutions. So it's not possible - nor would, I think, most Muslims consider it desirable - for a non-Muslim to 'join in'.

You may well be given religious literature, and possibly asked to visit a mosque (though this last is not common), but you won't be asked to participate in prayers.

Chthon · Joined: 03 Jun 2009 Posts: 54

I converted to Islam myself long before setting foot in the Middle East, so the conversion thing isn't mine. I know of one teacher who was reminded more than once that he would be going to hell by students at a military school. A current coworker of mine, a veteran if the region, has also had students approach him with religious pamphlets and the like at a few of the schools in which he has taught.

I don't think it's really a big deal, but some people may find it amusing or annoying depending on how they take it.

cassava · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 175

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 4:49 pm Post subject:

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 4:58 pm Post subject:

...and, my evil brood always seemed to get a kick out of it...

NCTBA

P.s.- It is obvious that you are not well-aquainted with the Deep South...phonologically. "Hell" is certainly pronounced "Hey-el"...as in "Hay-el No!" Laughing