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MAstudent · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 27

Hi all,

Just wanted post up to date info on this new and innovative(!?) institution which is supposed to take Saudi by storm and provide a model to be emulated (!?) It�s in its 3rd year now and on teacher recruitment drive. However, teacher moral and motivation is at an all time low, with many senior teachers actively looking to leave.

The main problem (like many of the Saudi institutes) is the administration meddling in teacher affairs. Policies are not being applied or changed at the last minute without any consultation with staff. Teachers� opinions or requests are being totally ignored. Class sizes have soared to 25-30 per class for many teacher esp. in the women�s section, even though the college advertises that no classes shall exceed 18 students. The college�s philosophy (silent way/natural approach) is ineffective and unworkable for the students in KSA and students are paying to teach themselves or to hire 1-to-1 tutors. Grammar is a dirty word and shunned.

Finally the college has just become another one of those money grabbing ineffective institutes which are rampant in KSA.

Laters.

007

bryanlorin · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 7

This is my first posting on this forum, or any forum.

The reason: most of my colleagues here at Saudi Interlink are shocked and dismayed by this posting. While I am the first to allow anyone their opinion, sarcasm and feigning to speak for all of the Saudi Interlink faculty goes beyond what I consider to be constructive and respectful discourse.

This colleague does not speak for the majority of the faculty. Problems at this institution, there are. Obviously this institution is not unique in this regard. But these problems are given a forum to be expressed and listened to by the director and the Vice-President of the college. We are allowed to speak our minds, and we are not silenced, but reassured, despite our direct attacks on administrative inconsistencies.

This is my second year and I have seen much improvement as time passes. I have been given ample opportunity to express my opinions and knowledge about issues that affect me. If I encounter difficulties, I have some power, as a faculty member, to pursue solutions and make the situation better. In fact, this is encouraged. I feel I am respected for what I bring to the program. I feel I am a part of the program, not a passive instrument of it.

Because this college is young, I have the chance--by taking a constructive approach to problems--to be a part of building something. The work here--in this cultural and professional context--is the most rewarding I have encountered in my professional life. But, this does not mean that there are no difficulties, problems and frustrations.

Desert Storm · Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 30 Location: Classified

I'd have to agree with bryanlorin. Whoever MAstudent is, he/she may want to check out what it's like to be at other institutions. Then he/she may understand what "administration meddling in affairs" really means. Don't be so naive.

Like bryanlorin said, sure there are problems here. But you do have a voice and at least you are respected and treated as a professional. The faculty members are generally ok people to work with, the students can be very polite at times too. MAstudent, check out the scene before you go "blasting" people. Things could be a LOT LOT WORSE.

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

Put another way .. lower your standards to meet that of those who think the place is fine and you'll find a whole new world awaits you ...

bryanlorin · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 7

"Put another way .. lower your standards to meet that of those who think the place is fine and you'll find a whole new world awaits you ..."

May I respectfully ask you what *constructive* action you are taking so that SILC (or another institution) can reach your lofty standards? I imagine your criticisms are based in the idea of wanting something better. So do you think comments such as you made here lead to something better?

In my opinion, your comments are angry and destructive, undermining a collective sense of hope that something better is possible.

MAstudent · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 27

In response to peoples comments I would like to say the following:

Is what I said, in general, incorrect?? Have class sizes not increased above the stated 18 limit esp. in the women�s section?? Were the students and teachers not promised smaller classes and individual attention? is this materializing?

To be just, SILC has positive points, e.g. pay is decent and generally on time, colleagues are nice, students are polite and helpful, etc. as do other institutes, but the question is do they give a �world class education.� In my view, the philosophy that the teacher is totally hands off and the student is the one who does everything, is incompatible with the Saudi student (I have many years of Saudi student experience). It can work with some students, however it fails the majority. Research (refer to Second language acquisition journals for further info) shows that explicit teaching is more effective and provides better and more sustainable results than implicit learning (natural/silent way).

Brayanlorin: �We are allowed to speak our minds, and we are not silenced, but reassured, despite our direct attacks on administrative inconsistencies.�

To be fair, we do have a voice and can express our opinions, but r we really being heard or as one teacher put it 'given a bitching session'?

Brayanlorin: �If I encounter difficulties, I have some power, as a faculty member, to pursue solutions and make the situation better. In fact, this is encouraged.�

Excellent, please could you get the printers in both women�s and men�s sections fixed as they�ve been out of order for some time now!!!

Desert storm: �Things could be a LOT LOT WORSE.�

Agreed, things could be much worse and I have worked in worse, but SILC is a new institution and give it time!!!

Sheikh Inal Ovar: �Put another way .. lower your standards to meet that of those who think the place is fine and you'll find a whole new world awaits you�

I have. Professionalism in Saudi is just an appearance; in reality the big dog rules. Opinions are welcome however will hardly ever be implemented. Better to just plod a long and go with the flow!!

Regards

laila · Joined: 09 May 2006 Posts: 7

I would like to confirm all that MAStudent wrote. Despite Al Yamamah/INTERLINK�s claim to be innovative and a model for other colleges to follow, it is just like any other Saudi College or University except that the vacations are significantly shorter, and the working hours are reasonably longer.

007 · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:19 pm Post subject:

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

MAstudent · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 27

007: �Is Dr A (MOD edit) still the president of the college? or did he left?�

Yes, he is.

007: �I met Dr A (MOD edit) some years ago when he was working in Riyadh Technical College, and from my experience with him, he was a professional person and he listens to his member of staff and accepts any remarks or opinion which is constructive. BUT, sometimes professional and good people cannot flourish if the system of administration is in a chaotic status.�

Dr A is not listening like he may once have done. It�s nearly impossible to speak to him and he does not reply to his e-mails from teachers. He seems like a nice enough person, but perhaps unable to change the Saudi way of doing things.

Amenti · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:00 am Post subject:

Bryanlorin get your head out of the sand. I suppose for a Canadian farm hand this might seem normal, but those of use who have a bit more experience in Saudi Arabia, Al Yamamah is head down the slippery slope of all Saudi Uni's.

MAstudent · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 27

As some people know, al-Yamamah College is having its first ever �Cultural Week� and it has been going with a bang, quite literally.

The college is trying to change the Kingdom. They are pushing a secularist agenda, which may work in other gulf countries, but Saudi Arabia is definitely not ready for it. Many don�t want it as it threatens their very cultural being. Women are walking around in the men�s section and have been made team leaders for the English levels. The college should be a place for education not a place for political maneuvering and cultural attacks.

On Sunday night there was an altercation between some youths and some of the �progressive� dignitaries. On Monday, more youths turned up and problems ensued. To break up the scuffles a police man had to fire two shoots, one in the air and the other quite low.

The question is now: how safe is al-Yamamah College? Has not the College made itself a target and put all their staff at risk? As teachers, we are told to be culturally sensitive, what about the College?

Where will all this end? The hope is that things settle down and we get back to the business of educating our students. The fear is that someone � most likely a white westerner � will be seriously hurt! Anyone thinking of joining SILC needs to take this into account!!!!

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:52 am Post subject:

MAstudent · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 27

Cleo: 'Heaven forfend! Mere women acting as leaders??? I trust you have reprimanded your unfortunate female colleagues for not knowing their correct position? It is the task of lowly females, after all, to follow but never to lead.'

Please read my comments in context!

That's not what I meant at all. I meant that cultural sensitivities are not being taken into account, nor is women�s safety being considered as women are walking through areas packed with teenage hormonal students who are not used to seeing women.

As for leading and being team leader than that is fine in the cultures and countries in which that is acceptable. As for forcing that upon a culture which is resistant to such things and in which it is illegal, then that is plain wrong! In addition it is not conducive to learning.