Job Discussion Forums

7168Riyadh · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 149

As some of you will know, Bell (a British EFL outfit) and Obeikan (a Saudi company) have been running the English language program for prepatory year students at King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh. Apparently, it is the biggest EFL project in the world. Some might say it is the biggest cock-up, but the programme is considered a success by the university and will continue next year, the third year--second full year. I have been working as a teacher on this programme from the beginning, and am likely to continue. There are about 180 teachers on the male campus, and a similar number on the female campus. Bell are currently advertising for 50 teachers to replace people who will be fired and/or leave. Up to now, there has been very little public discussion about the programme, and I thought it may be helpful to start a thread for interested people to comment and/or ask questions. I would encourage other teachers past and present to contribute. Fire away...

Green Acres · Joined: 06 May 2009 Posts: 260

Any link to their webpage?

littleoldlady · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 286 Location: knitting heaven

Hello
I have an interview with Bell on Tuesday 9.00 BST. I mention the time so that if anyone has any useful tips/advice for me about the interview, the project etc. please post it before then! I did get accepted last year but because of the alleged chaos re: payment etc. I decided not to go ahead. Any info on accommodation for women? Is is definitely shared? All facts gratefully received.
Thank you

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Do not accept shared acommodation. It is simply NOT ACCEPTABLE.

littleoldlady · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 286 Location: knitting heaven

Ok Mr. Scot. I won't. I am a very reserved littleoldlady who really needs quiet time. I live in my head most of the time so if someone is doing my head in... !!!!

john_26 · Joined: 23 May 2009 Posts: 1

i also have an interview this week. I was wondering how KSU and Bell are as employers and how they treat their employees? What are the students like? Salary? State of accommodation??

You know the usual..... Wink

Asda · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 231

Well, this year, apparently they started out well. They were paying 11-13K per month. One snag was that you would only get paid 11 months of the year unless you were part of a teaching couple. Also, some teaching couples had troubles in getting KSU/Obeikan to agree (albeit in principal) to giving the double housing allowance. As a result, a friend of a friend is owed just over 70K in housing allowance!!

Upsides? You work 0800-1300 then you are free...

Apparently through al-khaleej, at KSU you could work 0800-1200 or 1300-1700 for 16K or 0800-1700 for 32K!!! A friend of mine who works for them 'up north' told me this. He was really holding out for Riyadh but Alas! he didn't get it...

littleoldlady · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 286 Location: knitting heaven

This ties in with what I have been told. Just a bit concerned about accommodation for a single littleoldlady with eccentric ways.
Thanks

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

egyptfan · Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Posts: 105 Location: Middle East

Does anyone have a contact point for Al Khaleej?
Do the figures quoted above (16 K / 32K) include all allowances such as housing, etc?

For single status males, accommodation is shared but can one opt to take a housing allowance instead, either with Bell / Obeikan or Al Khaleej?

I don't understand the 11 month bit i.e. is it a contract for 11 months only? (This could be a Bell idea as they used to do something similar in Libya i.e. let people go after 40/42 weeks and then re-contract them 10-12 weeks later when they had new contracts with the same or different companies)

Assume contracts are renewable?
Thanks.

rigel · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 308

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Sadly there are too many people who WILL accept shared accommodation.

egyptfan · Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Posts: 105 Location: Middle East

Thanks. I would never share accommodation and would just pay my own if the salary and other conditions were very good. Any specific answers to:

contact for Al Khaleej,

is a housing allowance an option for male single status?

explanation of the 11 month contract?
Thanks

7168Riyadh · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 149

I would like to briefly reply to some questions raised so far:
Tips for interview? Dunno. Just answer their questions I guess. What they're looking for is someone with experience who is not going to blow up.
Bell/Obeikan offers provided accomodation. It's perfectly acceptable accomodation but you have to share. Many people are not good at sharing, and even for those of us who dont mind it can become stressful. There are other problems with the accomodation, like NO INTERNET. This was promised to us at the beginning of the year and has been very slow to materialise ( I think they have it at the female accomodation). Most people have sourced their own IP solution, at a cost to themsleves which will not be reimbursed. On the other hand, we were eventually issued with laptops and can access the Internet at work. Anyway, next year there should be an option to take housing allowence for anyone who cares to take it, 25% of salary, and I most definitely recommend males take the allowance and not the provided accomodation. Females may not get a choice--you'll have to stay in the provided accomodation most likely. Life for the female staff is very restricted and by all accounts rather stifling, at least initially.
What are Bell/Obeikan like as employers? Well, that is a good question and could lead to a long discussion. Morale of the teaching staff has been low over the year. I would attribute this to two main problems: 1) Obeikan's total inability to straighten out the payroll: there are often errors in pay, and it takes forever to get any outstanding pay/housing allowance. This problem is really irritating, but the good news is that you will get your money eventually if you persist in your claim. 2) A lot of bureacratic bullshit surrounding work permits and visas--again the problem seems to originate with Obeikan. Allow lots of time to get a visa seems to be the lesson learnt. Having Bell manage the programme is both good and bad I would say, but they don't always have the interests of the teachers at heart--they're number one priority is protecting the contract. The senior management are slightly authoritarian in the British manner and lacking in graces. To be fair, they have had variable staff to deal with, some of whom lacked professionalism, and this must be a headache for them. About pay, the range is 12k-13.5k to start. Pay has been frozen for next year, i.e. no automatic 500 increment, which sucks. The 11-month contract is a way to reduce costs to the project, you just have to live with it.

I'm sorry, I don't have information about
Al Khaleej--maybe someonelse can comment?
The bottom line: this is not a bad job. The students are just fine, if a bit lazy, and the working day goes quickly. Expect hassles, expect bullshit, expect no one to care about you. There are better jobs out there, but if you dont have an MA then this might be a good place for you to work.

Pikgitina · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 420 Location: KSA

Finally a well-balanced post on what is currently happening at KSU.

The $$$ is actually not bad considering that an MA is not required. When I applied last year, I was offered SAR14000 + 10% transport allowance (=SAR15400).

When I mentioned to the interviewer that I would only consider the offer if single accommodation was offered, she said "I've made a note of that". Rolling Eyes

As 7168Riyadh said, one could possibly put up with it for a year or two, especially if you haven't got an MA and want to get one while there.