Job Discussion Forums

[Cleopatra]

Anybody see the ad for EF in Saudi Arabia posted here on Dave's?

Can't remember all the horrifying details but it was something like 5,000 SR for 36 hrs a week (incl Thursday mornings!!!), 30 days hols after 12 months service and a 'shared corporate apartment'!

Looks like Berlitz has been knocked off its worst-ever pedestal!

Seriously, given the bad rap the Kingdom is getting right now, do they honestly think they're going to have an avalanche of applications?

[scot47]

The sad news is that they WILL get people. Low-grade but they will get tecahers.

There are still nice deals in Saudi. I teach for 30 weeks in the year. 20 class contact hours weekly. And I get a living wage.

[Jim Bigelow]

Just look at that package!! Why do you think they mention the contracts are for 3/6/9 months?? Because they bring you over on a visitors visa and just keep renewing it...for those of you not in the know that means:

you are working illegally, are not entitled to any end of service benefits... cannot get a phone/rent a house or send your kids to school! Not surprisingly almost every one who has had the displeasure to work for them has stayed little longer than a year and 9 times out of 10 it's ended in tears!!!

Stay away! Even with the minimum qualifications that EF ask for you can still find a much better deal than this!

[Belmont]

Anyone thinking of taking a job with this outfit needs to be aware that it will not be pleasant. Working and living in Saudi Arabia is not easy. It's an Islamic dictatorship where you'll be very restricted in the everyday freedoms that we take for granted in most of the world. One reason we go to work in places like Saudi Arabia is the money and the ability to travel and save so we can enjoy ourselves once we leave. If you're very young and strong, this 5,000 riyal a month job might be OK in the short term. Otherwise, ask us oldies more questions before you go.

[Cleopatra]

Seriously, how can they obtain visit visas for people for such long visits?

I thought these things were strictly controlled?

PS Wonder what that 'shared corporate flat' consists of?

[scot47]

They are more likely to be "business visas" rather than "visitor visas"

A visitor visa is what you get for a dependant who comes for a short stay.

How can they manage it ? They have friends in high places.

I would counsel people NOT TO TAKE UP THE OFFER FROM EF. You can do better.

[Mark100]

I can't believe that they would get anyone for that sort of money.
You could barely save anything on that sort of deal.
Unfortunatel if you perousethe jobs section of Daves you will see all too often pathetic packages and conditions for EFL teachers.
It is a sign of the times i believe.

[guty]

Belmont,
I think the situation outside the "shared company housing" will mean very little to anyone teaching 36 hours a week over 5 1/2 days, theyll be too knackered to get to see any of it anyway.

You can earn more than this in eastern europe, or se Asia, why would anybody choose KSA over a country where you can have fun if not for the money? Or am I missing something?

[SueH]

I think you're all being too hard on EF - the advertisement is just full of typos...
surely?
You'd think they'd have proof read it first - I ask you - 36 contact hours. The thought sends a shiver down my spine. Think I'll go and get a chilled beer.

[scot47]

Globally, EF have a bad reputation as employers. Think Berlitz. Think Inlingua.
Professional teachers will not work for these people. My advice is stay away.

If you want a job in Saudi, pm me and I might give you a lead or two.

But remember Saudi is not everyone's cup of tea.

[grahamb]

For many folk, language schools are a way of getting their foot in the door of EFL, and I know competent teachers who are happy working for them. Needless to say, they don't work for the companies mentioned on Scot47's posting!