Job Discussion Forums

linda868 · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 8

My husband and I are planning to maybe apply to positions in Saudi (as well as a few other places once we have a BEd in our hands). How easy will it be for us to land positions in the same city (Jeddah)? We will both have a few years experience teaching in Korea before we go. As well, we will have received a BEd. I am Chinese-Canadian (born and raised in Canada) and he is a Caucasian male. We have no children and will be in our late 20's to early 30's at that time. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Saudi Arabia is not a place where it's easy to get hired as working couples, since gender segregation holds in most jobs. With relatively low qualifications you're better off seeking work in the Emirates, but generally speaking you should first have under your belt three years' post-BA/BSEd full-time teaching experience plus a CELTA and teaching certification if you're teaching English. A couple in their twenties who don't yet even have bachelor degrees should realize that the Middle East is not Korea and you will not find teaching jobs.

linda868 · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 8

Thanks for the info. I have a bachelors degree but it is in chemistry. I am just working in Korea to save up money to pay for my my bachelor of education after degree so that I can be certified to teach in Canada. My question was whether we could get hired at different schools but in the same city (if this was easy or difficult to assess our situation for the next 5 years and where we should be looking to apply if Saudi is not an option). Does it matter where we get our post teaching experience? Thanks

Seditious · Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Posts: 26

It depends on the salary you are willing to work for. With a BS with emphasis on chemistry you will be in high demand. Of the sciences, chemistry is the most sought after certification area. Will your BEd give you certification status and is it from Canada or Korea?

It helps out a lot if your certification and post certification experience is from US, England or Canada (other posters can fill in any countries I might have missed).You might also note that the majority of good schools are seeking IB experience/certification, it might me worth your time to take the workshop to get yourself certified if it's available in Canada or from your university.

You can always check with teachaway.com and TES jobs for vacancies. Sometimes they advertise for teaching couples only. Even if they don't you can always ask.

Might I suggest your husband begin all of the negotiations... sadly it will create the best first impression.

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 5:56 pm Post subject:

linda868 · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 8

I guess I don't have a preference for cities. If I have a preference to teach elementary/junior high students, would I still require the CELTA. What kind of qualifications do people usually have before going to Saudi? If we need more experience for these types of position we were planning to work in Japan for a few years after our BEd. Our final destination that we would be interested in is Hong Kong but we are up for Brunei, Saudi and UAE (depending on how the job market is).

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 5:00 am Post subject:

linda868 · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 8

Thanks! Is there a reason you see teaching lower levels a "death wish"?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 6:36 am Post subject:

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Yes. What he said. My background before venturing into the Middle East had been strictly universities; I would never have considered the Gulf if I had been a school teacher. I'm not sure even the international-school teachers are all that happy compared to those slogging along at home in public schools.

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

One must be careful of the term "international school." The only ones that are predictably acceptable are the ones that are teaching the embassy kids and the Western expat's kids. (along with some non-Westerners and locals who have the cash to pay) The next tier are in the smaller places without an embassy, but enough expats to demand a school that conforms to their home standards. You will probably need experience in the IB program as that is usually what they offer along with an American or British curriculum.

The kicker, of course, is that it will not be easy to get into these places as they are very competitive and pay very well. Thus, they can take the applicants with the best credentials and experience. In other words, someone... even a couple... with new degrees and no experience have little chance.

To break into the system, you will need to spend a few years at the bottom of the heap. Laughing

(we've all been there) Check into the organizations mentioned by NCTBA and attend their job fairs. They will be hiring for schools all over the world, not just the Middle East. Wherever you finally apply, be sure to check the places out carefully on this and other boards. There are some scary bad employers out there.

VS

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 6:25 pm Post subject:

What she said...

NCTBA

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 11:15 pm Post subject:

You both need to be aware of one unfortunate fact: be certain that you are both hired as a teaching couple before you come to the Kingdom. Avoid the situation in which one of you accepts a job with a vague promise that the spouse will be hired on later. If you end up being a "local hire" you will at best receive half the pay of someone who is hired directly from overseas - and what's worse, you will receive NONE of the benefits.

Teaching couples are much sought after in many universities. Try to find one that will offer you both jobs (and individual work visas) before you arrive in KSA. Make it clear in your application that the two of you are a package deal. This should make you more desirable as an applicant, not less. Teaching couples are seen as mature and stable and less likely to cause trouble. With two incomes, they make so much money that they are less likely to leave. Universities also seek teaching couples because they often end up being a "two-fer" in terms of benefits. They get to provide one accommodation rather than two individual villas or whatever. And BTW, do not expect that they will give one spouse extra money or a second accommodation. By law, you only get one set of benefits...usually in the husband's name. It is considered greedy to ask for money in lieu of housing for the second spouse, and doing so could kill your chances of getting hired.

linda868 · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 8

Thank you for all the input. Cool

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 3:50 am Post subject:

Um...what she said?

NCTBA