Job Discussion Forums

[In the heat of the moment]

No recommendations from me! I'm looking for any ideas of publishers who've managed to partially crack the Saudi mindset. I've used several books here and they've all been found wanting, in one way or another and to varying degrees. Even the 'Middle East' editions aren't adequate for the majority of students who will have either a zero or negative reaction to English/American outside of classes.

In our University we're not obliged to use a certain publication, and we're looking at several others but every single f**king one has massive flaws which I, and every other teacher, will struggle to work with. That's thousands of hours of work, which although is suitable for the mindset here, really is no way to run a school.

[RustyShackleford]

What are some of the struggles you've had?

[scot47]

Always has been an issue in KSA.

[Hatcher]

IMO is foolish to think the books have any significant impact. The major issue in the classroom is motivation.

If anything I would allow the boss to select the book so that they cant hold that against you.

[scot47]

"I cannot learn from this book. It is un-Islamic and full of forbidden material." Standard excuse.

[buravirgil]

What a bunch of negativity.
I don't think the OP is "new" to Saudi.

I can affirm a majority of students were not sufficiently motivated for the text to matter, but medical and engineering students were more so, and some fraction of my "arts" students were...

I left at the end of 2012, and in my last months there was one new series for very low level students that included Arabic names/topics/sensibilities.

Anyway, I'll PM the OP after digging around a hard drive.

[scot47]

Some students are not motivated to learn. That is in the case in KSA and everywhere I have been.

Blaming the materials - or the teachers - is a common game.