Job Discussion Forums

[redeyes]

I understand the strict curbs on music in Wahhabism, and that means ( I presume ? ) there is no piped muzak et al in shopping malls,gyms, restaurants etc. ( Good thing in my view.) However, can I ship my CD collection to Saudi along with my other stuff, or will the customs men get shirty about it?

There is no offensive sleeve art on the discs, which would also be an issue to consider I'd imagine?

On a second point, how does that Wahabbi perspective on music manifest in the EFL class? I never play music/songs in class anyway, ( why would a classroom full of young students want to learn via my "old fashioned" taste in music anyway? ) but I have been told by EFL long termers in the ME that even the short introductory jingles on Headway/everyday course book tapes can cause offence.

Any views on these two points?

[johnslat]

Dear redeye,
There should be no problem with the CDs - they're sold (legally and illegally) by the thousands in the Kingdom.
Those short intros also shouldn't be a problem; notice how I keep saying "shouldn't be"; that's because you can never know for SURE. If you get some zealous mutawwa in your class, almost ANYTHING can be "a problem."
Regards,
John

[also in saudi]

The only "music" piped in to shopping malls is the call to prayer.
It can be very loud.

[Cleopatra]

As John says, your CDs shouldn't be a problem - so long as there is nothing remotely 'offensive' (read: "scantily" clad women) on the covers.

Regarding music in the class, it all depends. I have had classes where students have laughed at me when I asked them if music would bother them, so ridiculous did the question seem. Then again, I have had other classes where students ostentatiously put their fingers in their ears so as to avoid being 'corrupted' by the 15-second snippet of music on the Headway tape.

As always, it's best to err on the side of caution. If you wish to use music in class, ask the group at the outset if anyone objects. If they do, you could either drop the activity entirely or arrange for the 'offendee' to do some alternative activity which does not involve music.

[007]

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Is he that really, really fat dude, that Mohamed fella? He's sucha hunk!

NCTBA

[johnslat]

Dear NCTBA,

"Is he that really, really fat dude, that Mohamed fella? He's sucha hunk!"

You know - maybe your time in the Kingdom DID leave some unfortunate psychic scars.

Regards,
John

[Mia Xanthi]

I have yet to ever be able to use any music in class. Every time I want to, there are one or two girls who object...and it really pi&&es off the other more liberal girls in the class. I've quit trying because it can create a lot of friction in the classroom and bad feelings against the more conservative girls.

[trapezius]

[Green Acres]

I'm trying to picture the boys plugging their ears to the Headway snippets, Cleo. What a funny picture. Ever seen the movie, "Mars Attacks"?

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[Cleopatra]

[Stephen Jones]

[redeyes]

No piped muzak.....ah, what a relief! There's nothing worse than being trapped in a cafe next to a speaker blasting out cheap cover versions of songs you always hated anyway...

[fishjock]

and there some of your colleagues who will raise the issue at staff meetings. Not so much to put it up for debate, but to declare that "music has no place in the classroom".

I've always looked to follow the lead of the students as to what THEY might find offensive, but what do I know?