Job Discussion Forums

bkbro · Joined: 31 Mar 2010 Posts: 5

Is there any advice out there on a good way to initiate my TEFL job search in Saudi/surrounding countries?--maybe companies/schools that don't advertise through recruiters (probably they all do)..or maybe somebody can just steer me toward a job that he or she can say was bearable and comes through with pay on time (as it seems KSU is/may not.) I'm in my 40s with over 10 years exp teaching/BA/TEFL Certificate. I've just read enough negative posts about KSU here to pretty much turn me off that place--so I declined an offer they (Bell) made after interviewing me early this week. I'm not unrealistic--of course there are concessions to make and challenges to overcome in any new situation like this. Thanks....

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

Oh...there is advice. I think many of the posters to the Saudi forum come simply to warn off whom they consider innocent.

The best information about the King Saud program(s) is to be found by contacting the teachers presently employed. At least three of them.

The recruiter might have offered.

Turning down a job solely on what information is to be found on a forum, and then soliciting that same forum for job is rather idle.

The forum is good for confirming suspicions or market trends. It's informative, not conclusive.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 6:36 pm Post subject:

Dear LCK,

"The forum is good for confirming suspicions or market trends. It's informative, not conclusive."

Are you stating that conclusively?

Regards,
John

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

bkbro · Joined: 31 Mar 2010 Posts: 5

Seems a number of people boast of having cush arrangements on this forum, so I'm just angling for a few tips to get me half-way there. Are there only "warnings" on this site?

And thanks for your comments Lazycomputerkids, but am I "idle" for not desperately clutching at the first possibility that comes my way? If so I'll take idle. What happened to "it pays to look around a bit"?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:42 am Post subject: Re: anything positive?

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

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

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

bkbro, you mentioned that you'd be interested in the surrounding countries, too. What worked for me was to go to Oman, work for a recruiter at one of the technical colleges in the smaller towns and to finish an MA. After that, I started applying at places that wouldn't have considered my application before.

Those recruiter positions in Oman are low-key, easy work and you'll have plenty of time to study and even for breaks. The money is okay - closer to good than bad and you'll have all the other benefits (except gratuity I think). I know quite a few people who have been working for some of those recruiters since 2003 and they're still there, mostly without significant complaints.

IMO, for your own sanity, stay away from KSU.

bkbro · Joined: 31 Mar 2010 Posts: 5

Thank you pikgitina and I assume you mean it's recruiting EFL teachers. I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know where I can find/look for referrals to those types of jobs. Anything you'd like to pass on you can also send to [email protected]

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

If you are referring to the job ads... look at the job ads page on this site. The recruiters for Oman run them regularly. Just do a search for "Oman" there and they will pop up.

VS
(BTW... Pik... according to Omani labor law... gratuities are required... I was told that by my last employer... and it must be pro-rated!!)

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 3:18 pm Post subject: Re: anything positive?

bkbro · Joined: 31 Mar 2010 Posts: 5

Thanks veiledsentiments but I'm still not sure what pikgitina meant by "work for a recruiter." Is that teaching TEFL by way of a recruiter or is it recruiting? I don't see any reference to recruiting in the job lists, although there are a handful of TEFL listings for Oman. Thanks..

Lazy computer kids I appreciate the further explanation of your points, but I still don't see the harm in soliciting info in this way-- certainly people who post here are not just in it for themselves, to hear the sound of their own trumpets? Is it naive to imagine some are trying to generate a community of expat teachers who support each other?

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

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

Hi VS - yes, you're right about the gratuity. I was on an 11-month contract so my gratuity came in the form of the 12th month's salary, seeing that we never had classes during August. This is of course how the recruiters make money...but at the time, I wasn't aware of it...and couldn't be fazed when I was eventually told about it. Wink

bkbro, yes, you're hired by a recruiter to teach at a college. Sorry for not providing more details. I worked for CECN. Good and bad press...as you'll see on the Oman board, but all round very doable for two years or so...or longer for some.

As far as I know (and as VS pointed out, I think), one cannot apply directly to the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) colleges in Oman. They recruit through recruiters only. Crying or Very sad