Job Discussion Forums

[mugshotz]

I thinking of relocating to the Middle East and am considering Saudi Arabia as a potential destination. I've come to realize that the standards are higher in Saudi than in my current location, South Korea. Reading some earlier posts, I've heard things such as online degrees are not accepted and those without advanced degrees will not get good, reputable jobs so now I wonder about my qualifications. I have:

1. A bachelor's degree from a university in geography with a minor in history.
2. A secondary (middle school and high school) teaching certificate from my home state in the United States.
3. A 120 hour online TEFL certificate.
4. 4 years teaching high school in the United States.
5. 4 years teaching ESL in South Korea.

Compared to the foreign teachers currently in Saudi Arabia when they first started there, would you say that my qualifications are below average, average, or above average? If below average, would it be worth my time to even apply?

[nomad soul]

You'd get a mediocre teaching position with a contracting company. But you'd first need to complete a CELTA/equivalent onsite 120-hour TEFL course; your online cert will be problematic.

However, if you're licensed to teach secondary geography or history and have teaching experience in the subject(s), look into American-curriculum international schools in the region. Try Teach Away, Seek Teachers, and Footprints. There's also International Schools Review, which has a forum for content/subject teachers.

[sicklyman]

[plumpy nut]

The standards in Saudi Arabia are not higher. Saudi education standards are some of the lowest. It's like comparing a Naval Orange to a raisin. I worked in South Korea for two years, the elementary schools are real schools and the students are smart and get worked hard. Unfortunately like Japan failure sometimes results in suicide. Saudi Arabia is the exact opposite. I also worked in Thailand. There were in fact many teachers that I worked with who had taught in Thailand and the consensus was that Saudi education was poorer in relation to Thai Education. Thai education is also not the greatest by any means. Much of the appearance to new comers that Saudi standards are high is their bombastic visa and hiring process that they are introduced to by the Saudi embassy, SACM, academies, and colleges. This is largely to create an appearance, similar to what they do in all aspects of their society. The visa process sort of matches the whimsical nature of how things are done in Saudi Arabia. Oh! we can do this. No! how about doing this? We will not stand for this! etc. etc.

[scot47]

OP

You should think about applying to International Schools for a teaching position. Other threads doscuss how and where.

[sicklyman]

[johnslat]

What - you've never seen a naval orange?

http://www.berto-republic.com/blogimages/DSC04808.JPG

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3tThZu7BJ8U/maxresdefault.jpg

Ahoy, matey.


Regards,
John

[sicklyman]

this is more what I had in mind John:

http://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/1/naval-officer-leah-saulnier-the-painting-maniac.jpg

[mugshotz]

Thanks nomad soul and scot47 for your replies. I will look into your recommendations.

plumpy nut - When asking about standards, I was referring to employment. To teach in South Korea, all you need is a bachelor's degree. It's really a joke here and before coming, I never had any doubts. I'm asking about what employment I can reasonably expect with my qualifications in Saudi Arabia.

[mugshotz]

Although now that I think about it, when you say standards are lower for students, do you mean standards set by society, parents/family, teachers, self, or any combination of the above? Since you have experience in South Korea, would you say the students in Saudi are more difficult to manage or easier to manage compared to South Korea.

[veiledsentiments]

It would be hard to find students who are more undisciplined than Gulf kids, the boys in particular are a real handful. And way too often they run the school and the administration will back them... not the teacher. The closest approximation in the US would be the inner city schools in the worst areas... be afraid.

To be honest, I would only teach K-12 at the International Schools used by the embassies of the various English speaking countries. If a school has the kids from the British or American embassy (and most other expats), I would take it. If it was the usual IS full of local kids, I wouldn't even consider it.

VS

[scot47]

A "Real" International School will have few if any Saudi or Emirati students.

[sicklyman]

[plumpy nut]

It's easier for those under 50. Over 50 and it's impossible, with the acception of public schools if you're reasonably qualified. I like Korea but there's fierce age discrimination. It's competitive enough in Korea now that you have to have a couple of years of teaching experience to land a public schools job. Private schools (Hagwons) will still hire you without experience but it can be risky, most of the time it turns out OK, like Saudi Arabia they can send you home at anytime. In actuality most teachers do well with Hogwans. There are a minority that will screw you over not a majority like the schools in Saudi Arabia.

In Korea your visa is tied to your employer like in Saudi Arabia, but your not an indentured servant. There is no exit visa and you can leave the country anytime you like. The visa for Korea is difficult only because you have to have an FBI criminal record check. This takes on average two months but can take shorter or longer. You have to either take your own fingerprints yourself and hope they are good enough or go to a private fingerprint agency in your home country. I believe you have to get the visa from the embassy in your home country the first time you apply for an E2 visa. You fill out a medical form on your application. The medical tests and doctor's visit is done in Korea at very low cost and after you've been paid an arrival stipend.

The salaries in Saudi Arabia are going down and approaching the pay in Korea, especially the pay Hogwans give teachers. With the economic crisis in Saudi Arabia and the certainty of less money for English education. The pay is going to decrease more and more in Saudi Arabia as well as people being sent home after a matter of months of teaching.

[1st Sgt Welsh]