Job Discussion Forums

[davealber]

I have just come from teaching in China where I would characterize the B-Level University students' level generally low intermediate for those that don't put in an exceptional effort. And trailing down from there into students who have just been passed because the system makes it difficult on teachers to fail students. Girls tend to sit in front and be (generally) better and more enthusiastic students. The boys tend to be inhibited by the fear of making mistakes. This will have to be overcome in your classroom, by making a safe environment. Chinese students need to see rules established and enforced (no cellphones in class, etc...). If you are friendly and amiable, I see this easily mirrored in the students. It is very easy to make student friends. Nationalism can give some Chinese students strange resentful ideas of "foreigners" as all out to attack the peace-loving Chinese people. Your classes will probably have a light work load, as I don't see much rigorous pressure put on students here.

Similarly . . . how is the Saudi university student level, enthusiasm, and character?

Thanks!

[massiveg]

Girls too sit at the front and tend to be better than boys. It is tough to fail students and they appreciate friendliness. No cellphones to be allowed to. Nationalism less of a problem and no worries about attacking.

[veiledsentiments]

Much generalization... but...

Since this is Saudi Arabia branch, the girls will be all over the room or nowhere to be seen... as the students will be either all male or all female.

If you teach in Oman where the courses are integrated sexually, the girls usually sit in the back. Actually the girls decide and I did have a few groups where they took one side of the room. In one private college, every class picked their arrangement. I never had a group where women sat in the front of the men... would be culturally unusual.

And yes, the girls were the better students. Incoming students normally test out from zero level beginner to intermediate with a few high intermediate and even advanced mixed in... average would be low intermediate. Some institutions enforce grades and others seem to basically only require breathing to be passed on...

Big difference is that Asian students tend to be weak in speaking and listening - better in grammar/writing/reading. Arab students will talk your arm off with little inhibition... and be unable to write one simple sentence or read above 25 wpm with little comprehension.

VS

[nomad soul]

[massiveg]

[robbie_davies]

[johnslat]

Dear massiveg,

"You quite obviously have never taught in Saudi"

But I have - 19 years worth, and I taught in East Asia. In addition, I'm currently teaching Saudi, and East Asian (and Spanish-speaking students) here in the States.

I don't get your comment. VS started off the post by stating that what was going to follow was "Much generalization." And your comment seems to be complaining that it's "much generalization."

Considering the OP's question:

"Similarly . . . how is the Saudi university student level, enthusiasm, and character?"

it's hard to see how it could be answered without generalizing.

Moreover, having taught Saudi students for over 25 years (both in the Kingdom and in the States) and having taught East Asian students for almost a dozen years (both in East Asia and in the States), my opinion is that the generalizations are reasonably accurate.

Of course, there are going to be exceptions - that's a given when one is generalizing. But just as your first reply was a generalization (you used the words "tend to" and so did VS), I'd say the generalizations you made are also reasonably accurate.

Regards,
John

[scot47]

My generalisation for today. Saudi students are much better at the acquisition of English than we are at the acquisition of Arabic !

[CANDLES]

Hear! Hear! And I know several teachers who can't speak a word of Arabic, even when they have been there for years on a continuous basis.

I am one of them, (there for couple of years on and off) who cannot string a sentence together. Shame!

So I will not judge!

[veiledsentiments]

[massiveg]

[veiledsentiments]

[Grendal]

Relax VS,

Once posters start pointing out typos as they mistakenly think is you bad engrish then we can safely assume they are green and need a little experience hear on Dave's. I've never mayd any gramatics misstayks at all and am an aredent spiller to.

Grendal

[Bebsi]

I'd go along with VS and Johnslat that generally speaking, Saudi students generally tend to be pretty fluent, but bad at reading and writing, while Asian students (so I've heard from many colleagues) are more often than not good at grammar but lack oral skills.

If we use a learner-driver analogy: Asians know the rules of the road very well, but have never been behind the wheel. Saudis, on the other hand, have no problem getting behind the wheel (and do, all the time), but have a real problem with following the rules.

Actually, that part about Saudi drivers is literally the case as well

[CANDLES]

Saudi students seem to be pretty fluent.......and Asians not?????

Where and at what university, level, in or out of KSA.....
I want to work there!


I wish!!!