Job Discussion Forums

lucreziaborgia · Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 177

Against my better judgement I am posting a reply by way of clarification.
I did not have a bad time in the KSA; I had a tedious time. In fact, the KSA was so lacking in anything uplifting or personally engaging that to have spent more than a mere 2 months would have been impossible to justify.
As I have worked in difficult contexts throughout my career in current affairs, I am not fazed by extreme conditions. I am however, easily bored and my work in KSA - as with its landscape stretching relentlessly into infinity - promised 11 months of time passing at a glacial pace with nothing engaging to experience.
My only ESL experience prior to the KSA was 5 years in Viet Nam and Laos where I worked with senior Government officials and consider that as the standard through which I evaluate ESL work.
If the designers of the PNU project could indulge in honesty and frankness they would recruit trainers rather than ESL teachers as I believe Western women are meant to be role models for Saudi girls as examples of the Western work ethic.
If some English language skills were/are picked up along the way then that is a bonus.
It is obvious to anyone with experience who observes the situation (including the Saudis) that it is impossible for teachers to teach and for students to learn under the prevailing conditions at both PNU or Al Faissal Academy.
I have experienced the internal life of the male academy that is part of AETAG's empire and I am thus able to state that it resembles an 'international context'; in fact I was astounded by the liberal atmosphere. I spent several hours over 2 days with the senior management of AETAG and can say that these meetings could have taken place in Melbourne, London, New York or Toronto et al. The male students were likewise liberal; my Abaya was taken at the door by one of them.
Men shook my hand, remembered my name and English was competently spoken by all.
There are obviously plenty of women who are prepared to exist in the KSA for reasons known only to themselves but I am not one of them. Enough said.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 2:35 am Post subject:

I was sorry to see that your last thread was hijacked by that newbie poster who insists on attempting to showcase his/her "intelligence".

Verily, I say, this person showcase verbiage is wasting his/herself in that mortal wasteland...

NCTBA

sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

Teaching in the ME is only about money. I question the sanity of women who choose to work in places like Saudi, more so those who date locals. It's hard enough being a male teacher. The 'them and us' syndrome gets to all though and the pointlessness of trying to instil a work ethic or ethical practices on the ground, is simply mind numbing. Talk, talk, talk;same old ways. And for the record Arabs are the most sexist, racist people I've ever come across, in and out of work.

Asda · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 231

I believe EVERY race has racism in them. Be they African, Caucasian or Mongoloid and everything in between...

As for sexism, I would say that the Arabs are more chauvinistic, but sexism manifests itself differently in the West, the Orient, the Far East - but can you say they are the MOST?!

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 7:21 am Post subject:

Well, I sleep well at night. I'm an equal opportunity sexist/racist...I HATE 'EM ALL!!! Laughing

...

...

NCTBA

lazycomputerkids · Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Posts: 360 Location: Tabuk

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:30 pm Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Am I alone in feeling that Lucreziaborgia has a rather ..................... patronising tone ?

Does she really believe that we are here to provide role models for our students ?

lazycomputerkids · Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Posts: 360 Location: Tabuk

I agree the tone is patronizing, but I read the text differently. I read the OP's objection to the use of Western women as models as contrary to the OP's set of beliefs.

Or in other words, the OP is not Western.

007 · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 5:41 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 7:29 pm Post subject:

Dear LCK,

It's hard for me to see how you could think this:

I read the OP's objection to the use of Western women as models as contrary to the OP's set of beliefs.

about this:

"If the designers of the PNU project could indulge in honesty and frankness they would recruit trainers rather than ESL teachers as I believe Western women are meant to be role models for Saudi girls as examples of the Western work ethic.

Regards,
John

desert_traveller · Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 335

lazycomputerkids · Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Posts: 360 Location: Tabuk

You guys...you're teachers. Examine the sentence again.

"If the designers of the PNU project could indulge in honesty and frankness they would recruit trainers rather than ESL teachers as I believe Western women are meant to be role models for Saudi girls as examples of the Western work ethic."

The OP, conditions a statement of belief. And poorly. The OP accuses the motivation of their employer. The OP speaks to one of many discriminations experienced. The OP is a trainer.

No...no...i'm editing myself. Phew. I missed a gist. The OP accuses the employer of "training" students instead of "teaching" them. But, again, the OP conditions a statement of belief. The OP doesn't believe they're a model, but that the employer is so shallow.

lazycomputerkids · Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Posts: 360 Location: Tabuk

lazycomputerkids · Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Posts: 360 Location: Tabuk