Job Discussion Forums

HendrikBruwer · Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 8

Hello Everybody

I've been offered a job to work in Riyadh as an "English Language Instructor":

The deal is as follows:
Basic Salary: 2750$ per month
Housing: 687.5$ per month
Transportation: 275$ per month
30 day paid-vacation upon completion of 12 month contract.
Medical Insurance Provided
Round-Trip Air tickets
Probation period: 90 days.

I'm almost ready to sign. Apart from telephonic and email correspondence with the company, I've also had the privilege of speaking to one of the current employees. My qualifactions are BA Honours English with 2 years teaching experience at college level. I don't have a CELTA/TEFL or TESOL.

Do you think it is a decent deal for me at this stage of my teaching career?

NewInTownTEFLer · Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 13

Congratulations!!!!!!!!
You've got yourself a deal..

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 12:35 pm Post subject:

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 1:03 pm Post subject:

I didn't want to interfere, as so many new to this arena seem to take it personally...as if you were trying to save yer own skin to post negatively... but yeah, it's a chump's deal...

NCTBA

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

Wait... the poster has only a BA+2 years with no CELTA. How much more could he expect to get offered.

This 11 month contract with one month vacation is getting awfully common around here. Most of the offers discussed in the last couple months have been thus.

VS

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 1:43 pm Post subject:

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

Maybe? Probably? It could be that most of the job offers floating around right now are with related recruiters for the same jobs? A rose by any other name...

VS

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Given his qualifications and experience this is more than okay. Vacations a bit mean - but there is no mention of an 11-month contract. That nasty trick seems to be exclusive to Bell, who USED to have a reputation as a good employer.

I am puzzled that salaries are quoted in US dollars not in Saudi Riyals

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

This is the second time that this has happened lately. I don't know if the poster is making the conversion or whether the ad is written this way.

VS

Linda467 · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 138 Location: A Secret

If it is of any help I will ask for a contract stating all terms and conditions (I�ve got one) talk to them personally (feel them out) and ask them all the questions that you think you need an answer to, including infamous visas Smile

Also check their website, ask them for some emails from some teachers that they�ve alredy worked for them and get your Embassy and/or Consulate website on the country and read it all trough.

I declined a much more advantageous offer in Riyadh and went to Jeddah instead for a number of reasons. Money is important but for me there is some other considerations just as important or more, but remember there always a degree of uncertainty and things may be different that you expected once you�ve reached your destination.

Having said that, the English international summer school that I�ve just been this summer did that with our contract, so instead of spending 6 weeks there, I did two and left to Germany - sometimes they forget that slavery was abolished long time ago Laughing

Linda

HendrikBruwer · Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 8

HendrikBruwer · Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 8

Wouldn't it be better if I do the CELTA first and then look for a better deal? How much more can I expect to get?

Linda467 · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 138 Location: A Secret

My really good contract in Riyadh was offered in US $ too and I worked it out in Saudi Rials and Euros - my currency. You can check on the web or with your local bank the exchange rate. I did that and even though some believe the Rial is pegged to the US $ it is not and fluctuates a lot more less than the dolar.

If of help a Euro was 5.47 Saudi Rials and anywhere between 1.39 and 1.45 US $ last week, depending if you buy or sale. Additionally you may like to check too as is not the same to exchange the money (bills) than a transferal to your bank that is considered foreign currency and gets a better treatment to your account, meaning less comission, therefore more money in your hands.

Also check websites with ads for Teachers in Saudia and compare what they are asking for and offering against your qualifications and offer.

As far as my experience in the Gulf goes, money can get you so far, people or friends much further.

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 6:38 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 6:53 pm Post subject:

Dear Cleo,
On the off-chance that your statement is disbelieved:

August 31, 2009

"Saudi Arabia's riyal plunged against major world currencies in the second quarter of 2009 because of a weakening US dollar after a steady rise in the previous nine months, official figures showed yesterday.

Although it is backed by massive official reserves and foreign assets by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (Sama), the riyal dipped against most other global currencies in the second quarter because of its peg to the US dollar.

http://www.business24-7.ae/Articles/2009/8/Pages/30082009/08312009_3f9c188086d84362b89b1c3a56752c77.aspx