Job Discussion Forums

[superfly snuka]

The saudi experience is a mixed bag. Some hate it, some like it, very few love it. i have been teaching in saudi for just 1 1/2 years and i have run the gamut of experiences already. No doubt some of you, when you consider I am about to start my 4th job in saudi, will believe that perhaps I am the problem and not Saudi. yes, I am difficult to please and could be contributing to my dissatisfaction. But i will tell you thats not ALL bad.

I started in Jubail dealing with SABIC employeees. the students were so unmotivated and spoiled and unfortunately despite the good intentions of our director to instill discipline and order , it was consistently undermined by the saudi administration. This has been a consistent fault of Saudi management in the universities. they expect you to be strict about absences and grades, but in the end they give in to a students slightest excuse and all is forgiven. In the end students learn virtually nothing, except that English is not a serious subject and you don't really have to learn it especially if you are from the "right" family.

I moved on to Riyadh to a university that claims to be the best in Saudi. Its a famous university on this website. Ponder to guess who I'm talking about? It was more of the same as Jubail but it went a step farther, the director of the program, changed grades and then claimed not to all the while blaming the teachers for the students lack of performance. When a few of us pondered to criticize said management, we were suspended, and over half of us fired for Insulting the management. They were guilty of another consistency with Saudi schools and companies: "changing policies at the last minute and expecting everyone to adapt to said policy despite the obvious fallout from the decision" Its as if they expect you to be happy for being paid, but just shut up and do your job, slave! This school was run by morons, who could care less about the inconveniences and downright injustices they placed on the shoulders of the staff.

off to Jeddah, to a university, while still displaying some typical saudi disorganization and lack of caring, it was fundementally much more laid back. you didnt have to punch in a clock, could come and go as your schedule warranted. the administration were cool, the pay and benefits were excellent, and Jeddah it self is very international with more to do , especially going to the private beaches. Its not paradise but its the closest ive seen to it in saudi. What is the university? King Abdullaziz University.

Overall, i find the management in saudi to be unorganized, slow, a bit lazy , rude and unable to accept even constructive criticism. The money iand benefits are fantastic, the cost of living low. the students mimic the adminsitration to an extent but if you just teach them the way you know how and the admin doesnt interfere much, you will be just fine.

Remember: when you come to saudi , try to get a job on the coast, jeddah or Dharan(dammam). there are outlets to the frustration in these places: bahrain, the beach, compounds etc. focus on the prize and you will survive. And also , keep your mouth shut even if management asks for your insight, they will fire people with no concern!

[Lila Abu]

Yes, I agree with your assessment of the place entirely.
KSA has always been like that..the only difference today is that (with a couple of exceptions ie BAe) the salaries/benefits are mediocre.

[scot47]

Let me respond with a question to the OP. In 18 months how much Arabic have you learnt ?

[Linguist]

[Lila Abu]

[svatopluk]

The main problem is the raging Saudi pride, arrogance and, above-all, jealousy. Truly an awful mix which combines to keep them as ignorant as hell.

[veiledsentiments]

[sauditeacher]

[spiral78]

Ponder to guess who I'm talking about?
When a few of us pondered to criticize said management

I agree with quite a few of your major points, but this word 'ponders' bugs me. Apologies for the off-track post, but I'm an English teacher

It means to think about something deeply... 'to ponder' is a correct form, but 'ponder to' is like 'think to guess' or ' think to criticise'


pon�der (p�n′dər)

transitive verb

to weigh mentally; think deeply about; consider carefully
Origin: ME ponderen < MFr ponderer < L ponderare, to weigh < pondus (gen. ponderis), weight: see pound
intransitive verb

to think deeply; deliberate; meditate
Related Forms:

�ponderer pon′�derer noun
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright � 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

pon�der (pŏnˈdər)

verb pon�dered, pon�der�ing, pon�ders
verb, transitive
To weigh in the mind with thoroughness and care.
verb, intransitive
To reflect or consider with thoroughness and care.

[sauditeacher]

[Lila Abu]

[quote="veiledsentiments"]

[scot47]

I think my "Socratic question" was perfectly fair. The aim of asking it was tio make people think about why so many Teachers of LANGUAGE seem to be unable to learn even Basic Arabic when working in the KofSA !

The inability to do this reflects in my opinion a level of contempt for locals and their culture. If you despise people, how can you teach them ?

[Lila Abu]

[Sheikh N Bake]

[quote="Lila Abu"]

[Sheikh N Bake]