Job Discussion Forums

mimi_intheworld · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 167 Location: UAE

...and breaking the news to your Midwestern American family.

I've been reading this forum page (along with several others) for a bit now, and really what I am looking for now is the encouragement to actually take the plunge and get work teaching in Saudi Arabia. (Or possibly Oman, UAE, etc - I have only the vaguest concepts of the Gulf States, but the lack of knowledge is actually part of the draw.)

Quickly, my qualifications:
- BA English
- MA Intercultural Studies
- Teaching cert from the State of Texas for English & Reading
- 3 years teaching experience in an alternative school, in a mixed ability multilingual (mainly Spanish) classroom
- 1 year teaching experience in a UK comprehensive school, 6 months teaching/tutoring/mentoring at a non-profit youth organisation in London
- other misc. tutoring & EFL experience about 10 years ago

To make this post relevant to applicants other than me, I also wonder what it's *really* like to teach in KSA. I have read pleasant things about salary, mixed things about schools, and still wonder if I'd get work here, what sort I should apply for, etc. Also, I'm a mid-30s pasty-white single woman. Culturally, what should I expect? (Perhaps that's an ignorant question, but I currently live in a ridiculously uninformed/uninterested town in the South, and I'm having a devil of a time finding ANYTHING about Saudi Arabia other than vague political references in the news.)

Are there cities or areas of KSA I should avoid? Are there places or companies or agencies that come highly recommended? What is student behavior REALLY like? And all the other questions everyone else has asked.

Oh, and what do you say to people who question the sanity of starting to teach in a nation like Saudi Arabia? After all, my lack of knowledge is nothing when compared to people like my sensible Midwestern family and my conservative bible belt Texan friends.

Since the Saudi Arabia page doesn't have a New Teachers section, and you all seem to have been there for decades, I guess I would just like to glean loads of useful information from your experiences. Thanks!

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

I suggest taking a look at Teachaway. They are a recruiter hiring for the re-vamping of the K-12 system in the UAE.

You should be able to google up their ads - or a search on the "jobs" page here. You can also do a search on the UAE board.

As an American female who originally went to the Middle East at your age... in the 80s, I suggest that Saudi is not really the place to start. Take a look at the rest of the Gulf. JMHO...

VS

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Aim for a job at one of the International Schools. If you are intent on KSA then Dhahran Academy, Jeddah Prep, The American school in Jeddah or similar.

Same sort of places in UAE or elsewhere in the Guilf.

mimi_intheworld · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 167 Location: UAE

Thanks for the tips so far. I'll have a look at the recruiters/schools you mentioned. VS, I'm curious, why do you suggest not starting in Saudi?

Also, I should perhaps add that friends of mine moved there last month with Saudi Aramco. I'm beginning to hear about camp life. That wouldn't be my brief, would it? As a teacher?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Aramco have teachers in the schools there. Nice number if you can get it. The best in Saudi.

These are schools mainly for the children of foreigners working for Aramco.

Quite different from the Training Centers run by Aramco for trainees.

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

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 5:31 pm Post subject:

...there's also Search Associates, University of Northern Iowa, Ohio State University...and, I believe Queens University (?) somewhere in Canada (probably Ontario)... It's been a while since I cared to look, tho... And, always, TESOL...

NCTBA

trapezius · Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 11:12 pm Post subject:

Listen to the sages who have responded. If you really are intent on coming here, I can answer this bit, and I am sure the sages will agree:

johnslat · Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 12:09 am Post subject:

Dear trap,

How can I break this to you gently? You are one of the foremost such sages.

Regards,
Oregano John

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 4:14 am Post subject:

Oregano,mmmmmmmm,oregano...

NCTBA

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

johnslat · Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 11:34 am Post subject:

Dear Sheik,

"Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown."

Henry IV, Part II
Act III, Scene I, Line 33

Regards,
John