Job Discussion Forums

[hash]

It sounds like a nightmare to me. Good luck to anyone having to take this job.

Notice this little tidbit posted above:

Student ages: 18-50 years. .......... Do you know what it's like to "teach" a 50 year old "soldier"? I've done it.....poor guys can hardly get into their seats, let alone rise from them.

This goes to show the real reason these programs exist. It's not to teach....it's not even really to "train". It's that they don't know what to do with all this surplus personnel......you're training a 50 year old? In a language? For what? To win a seat at Sandhurst? Or West Point?

So, what's the answer? Why.... "Put them in an English class!!" Doesn't matter at what level or for what purpose or what qualifications the students should have or even what qualifications the teacher has. None of that matters. What matters is that they're "active" at something.

And for this you need a Master's or other high language qualification?

[Siobhan 22]

[Lord T]

When you say 100% from last May, are you taking into account those who may have been transferred to direct hire by BAE? I understand that the langsols 3-month 'business'/temp.work visa' cohorts enables BAE to 'fish' for new BAE staff more cheaply and efficiently rather than going through the whole 2-3 month iqama acquisition hassle.[/quote]

I was told that Langsols sent 8 teachers in February, and all of them chose to leave in May- if that's not the case, I will stand corrected.

Lord T

[desertfox]

Having had recent experience with BAE in Dhahran, I believe that what Lord T has said on attrition is correct.
The proportions are appalling, and should serve as a warning to potential applicants.
Best to find something more suitable.

Desertfox

[Siobhan 22]

On the other hand, if you are prepared for a 'worst case scenario', $4500 per month for 3 months means this salary, when transformed into sterling (thanks to Brexit and a weaker pound) means nearly an extra £350 a month, so an extra 'buffer zone' of £1000 which should help transition people out of Saudi back to normality if need be. Though, of course, you should prepare for contingencies.

Also, if starting in Sep, you might have the added 'buffer zone' of a winter break and the courage to manage an extra 3 months which would almost total 7 months of salary if you take into account the 'Xmas pause'.

Lord T: 8 teachers in, 8 teachers out.....ouch!

So many stories we could hear about and mull over...... but maybe they take signing the Official Secrets Act seriously.

[danshengou]

Like I said, take it only if you are desperate or greedy. Quick cash. Get in, get out. And hopefully you don't need 6 months off to recuperate so you wind up broke again and repeating the cycle.

[Siobhan 22]

Just watched the film noir 'In a Lonely Place' with Bogart (not easily available but can be found on www.putlocker.is)

Contentwise, thematically unconnected with Dhahran, but titlewise.......

Hope youtube and putlocker aren't blocked out there.

[plumpy nut]

The Saudis don't block anything on the internet that I know of. You have to use VPN's only to protect your privacy or obtain services of online companies that operate in the West such as Amazon. Saudi blocking doesn't occur and is not a concern of anyone that is over there. I would still strongly suggest using a VPN when in Saudi Arabia.

[plumpy nut]

[Siobhan 22]

My Ninja VPN service should work just fine.....at least i should have access to bbc iplayer.

I saw one advert for Al jazeera International Academy in Riyadh offering 'C' class insurance. God only knows what that covers (does not cover).

At least BAE's must be 'A' class - even for those with Language Solutions on the temporary 3-month 'rolling contract' visa?!

[RustyShackleford]

[danshengou]

The Internet is less clogged and filtered than in China, but a VPN is still a necessity as many things are in fact blocked. The added anonymity can't hurt either.

[bigdurian]

[danshengou]

[bigdurian]