Job Discussion Forums

saeed11 · Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 6

Hello,

I would like to get some feedback on the best places to apply for as a newbie. I have a bachelors of social science degree from a Canadian University, and will be completing the CELTA Program in the next couple of months. I speak english at a native level and have absolutely no teaching experience. It's Saudi or bust for me so I hope there are some opportunities there for candidates with no experience.

Thanks!

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:51 am Post subject:

I'll be the one to give the usual speech this time. Rolling Eyes

Saudi Arabia is not a place for beginners in EFL. If you have no teaching experience, the best you can expect is a poorly-paid position at some kind of language institute where they will use you, abuse you, and throw you out.

The Kingdom is a very difficult place to live and work. Even "hardened" EFL teachers with years of experience should think twice about going there. It is downright dangerous for someone who is naive and inexperienced.

If I may ask, why are you so intent upon going to KSA? The low-level jobs that you would be qualified for pay very, very little. You could probably make more working at a full-time restaurant or fast-food job in the United States. If you are only going out of cultural interest, there are places that are more interesting, and certainly more free, than Saudi Arabia.

bethinhfx · Joined: 05 Jan 2010 Posts: 4

I have no idea about the conditions but I was hired by skyline global solutions: 3000.00 us a month, 440.00 accom, and 150.00 transp includes 30 days paid vac and benefits. I have a BA- several years of research exp and NO teaching experience or TEFL and so forth. Go figure?

saeed11 · Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 6

Thanks for the reply Mia,

I am content on the Kingdom because I adhere to my Islamic faith in a very strict manner, and the issue of "freedom" is not a biggie for me. I have lived in the UAE and Egypt in my youth so I'm not as naive as most of the newbies in the Middle East. I also speak arabic fluently and would benefit greatly from the number of Islamic scholars that are in the Kingdom. Aside from that I have an uncle and a great uncle and numerous relatives that reside in the Kingdom.

Salary is not a big deal for me so long as I am able to pay my rent and feed myself I'm okay. Also cost of living in the Kingdom is relatively inexpensive so there's another positive.

P.S: I was told by some Saudis not to disclose the fact that I speak Arabic because for some strange reason that goes against you!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

And I am going to give you the news you do not want. No experience = No job in Saudi Arabia.

bethinhfx · Joined: 05 Jan 2010 Posts: 4

I have no idea about the conditions but I was hired by skyline global solutions: I have a BA and several years of research exp and NO teaching experience or TEFL and so forth. The pay is REALLY good compared to what I have seen. The recruiter has been good so far.

saeed11 · Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 6

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

When a reputable employer sees your cv it will go straight in the waste paper basket. Those coming to KSA "for Islamic purposes" are suspect. Those with no experience doubly so.

Your ability to speak Arabic is not seen as a plus by everyone.

saeed11 · Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 6

saeed11 · Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 6

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

If an employer considers you suitable, then he is an employer you do not want to work for ! Get some experience first and then you will be able to choose a better employer in KSA.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 1:58 pm Post subject:

Dear saeed11,

Have you ever seen one of those horror movies in which a young person enters a deserted house, nervously ascends the stairway, creeps down a darkened hallway, puts one hand on a doorknob, and slowly begins to turn it?

Meanwhile, everyone on the audience is thinking:

"DON'T OPEN THAT DOOR!!!!!!!!!"

Well, put yourself in the place of that young person. We other posters are all in the audience.

Yes, you probably can get a job in Saudi with no experience. You can open that door. But believe me - you don't want to see what's inside the room.

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

John

That is not what the OP wants to hear. Tell him that everything is fine and dandy and he should go ahead.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:05 pm Post subject:

Well, there have been a number of threads regarding Skyline:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=823799#823799

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=74088&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=skyline+solutions&start=0

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=77248&highlight=skyline+solutions

Perhaps they can help the OP make an more informed decision.

Regards,
John

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

I worked with a number of expat Muslims from all over the world while in the Kingdom. Most were seriously disappointed by their experiences in the Kingdom.

They went looking for the heartland of Islam, and found instead a lot of hypocrisy. Two women I worked with were abused, in spite of being Muslim, for what seemed to be the fact that they were American blacks. They tended to be paid less and taken advantage of.

Read carefully about the Kingdom before considering it the place to get your further education in Islam.

As for jobs- where I was they abused the PhDs with tons of teaching experience, and who were Muslim.

I can't imagine what will happen to a green newbie in the Tragic Kingdom.