Job Discussion Forums

marklor · Joined: 27 Apr 2017 Posts: 24

So long as its more than the students make Wink

voyagerksa · Joined: 29 Apr 2015 Posts: 140

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

lizzydizzy · Joined: 21 Jul 2016 Posts: 46

Then why are they still hiring as of this date?

siologen · Joined: 25 Oct 2016 Posts: 336

I thought I saw one ad the other day mentioning perks like gym membership and so on. Seems it is still hiring season!!!!!

Lord T · Joined: 07 Jul 2015 Posts: 285

This time last year they were recruiting teachers to work at SPSP Dammam; I don't know if their recent advertisements are for the same job.

Make sure you know exactly where you will be working and do some research before you accept any offer to work for AA.

desertfox · Joined: 14 Jun 2015 Posts: 120

Lord T - Are there any circumstances under which you would recommend someone to apply to work for AA?

Desertfox

Lord T · Joined: 07 Jul 2015 Posts: 285

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Truth Seeker · Joined: 14 May 2017 Posts: 7

I’ve worked for AA in the past and would happily do so again. Always paid on time, understanding management and fringe benefits such as a free ride to Bahrain and back once a month as well as use of a shared company car.

You could do a lot worse; believe me. I know of 3 teachers that have just gone back to Dammam with them. That alone should speak for itself.

desertfox · Joined: 14 Jun 2015 Posts: 120

Lord T wrote: Frankly, I would never recommend working for AA or any of the other agents in Saudi these days. There was a time when the salary they paid was on the low side, but you didn't exactly have to bust a gut at work.

Nowadays, the salary is ridiculously low, and you are expected to do 30 contact hours in a chaotic work environment.

The only people that might benefit from working for AA in Saudi are those unfortunate members of AA in London or New York, if you get my drift - cheers!"

Lord T - thank you for amplifying the cogent points you have made on this thread.

If a teacher has direct experience of working for an outfit, shady or otherwise, then they are duty bound to make their views clear on this forum. Without fear or favor.

The point is, surely, to assist others in negotiating what has become a very challenging job market in the Middle East.

Needless to add, that this forum should never become a repository for the view of management apologists, no matter in what guise they appear.

Lord T · Joined: 07 Jul 2015 Posts: 285

marklor · Joined: 27 Apr 2017 Posts: 24

I worked for AA in the past and have just returned to KSA to a better paid position. As I have a lot of time on my hands I thought I'd put in a good word for AA. They paid their non Muslim teachers who stayed late on Ramadan overtime which was very decent of them. What's more they do give you a furnished apartment and as someone mentioned a drive to Bahrain . They also have a decent bunch of expats working for them which really makes the sentence sorry contract a lot easier to do . I never thought I'd say this but I actually have fond memories of the place... maybe I've got sunstroke . Who would I recommend AA to ? Definitely to people who are looking to make a good salary ( compared to anywhere else in the world of ESL) , people who want a short taste of life in the KSA. Would I do it for a year on their salary? I think not but for quick get-in-get-out gigs for people who want to go backpacking / whoremongering yeah haha I highly recommend it 😄

Lord T · Joined: 07 Jul 2015 Posts: 285

The Great Toad · Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 3:43 am Post subject:

American Academy staff overall were honest and helpful- they went out their way to help the teachers at SPSP. They were up front and clear about the salary and other salary related benefits. The hotel and the transport were taken from the salary of around 13,000 so the net pay was around 1 or two less than that. I forgot the exact amounts. The contract they emailed me was clear on this. Later in Saudi Arabia they had an official Arab script and English script contract that was longer but basically the same. They also explained this in the interview. The hotel I was in had exercise machines and a small pool which I used. It was a 4 block jog from the pleasant beach which I did yoga and Thai shadow boxing on and frightened fat smoking Saudi guys drinking at the sea side cafe. They paid for return flights and the total salary up to the last day for some teachers who failed to complete their contracts. American Academy taking the monetary hit for the employees breaking the contract was surprising. They also had a company car that the teachers used with the only expense being that they had to fill the tank.

American Academy did indeed provide free transport back and forth from Bahrain for recreation time. They also took a big hit on an Applebee's bill where certain beef eating teachers glutted steaks and chocolate pies. They hosted a bbq team building picnic that they funded which was optional but which many teachers attended and enjoyed along with all the tasty meat leftovers. The teachers hired directly by SPSP did make 4grand+ a month. They were doing the same job as the American Academy teachers. Welcome to the world of for-profit capitalism. If you can make 4 grand+ then do so. If I had seen an add for 4-6 grand a month job at SPSP I would have taken it instead of the 2.7-3 grand offered by American Academy. I now am making around two and a half thousand a month but only teaching pleasant students 10-12 classes a week in an accommodating overseas culture.

I would recommend American Academy to any teacher who is willing to work a full time 20+ class load and wants to try out Saudi Arabia. The higher up staff of SPSP was just following the rules set by SPSP I find no particular faults with them. I thought they were good guys overall- Christ save them.

You guys who worked at SPSP should pm me we can network and exchange grand ole stories.