Job Discussion Forums

[ksam]

http://www.kaustschools.org/page.cfm?p=285

Their website indicates a few ESL/EAL positions. I'm wondering if anyone here is (or knows of someone) working there either as a ELT or as a classroom teacher?

Any information on the working conditions, admin, salary package would be helpful.

Thanks,
ksam

[veiledsentiments]

As of right now, their EFL department consists of the director... a very nice and competent American woman. They have had one very experienced hire who, last I heard, left after 3 months. (and another who was fired after a couple weeks) Rumor was that another American woman might be on the way. The pay is phenomenal... the annual can get to 6 figures if your CV is strong enough. BUT... no iqamas... visa renewal runs are required... only single status... and the university is refusing to provide housing. Thus, EFL teachers are stuck in a rather plush prison... a fancy hotel in Jeddah which requires a very long commute in the morning and evening.

What few classes there have been are mostly Chinese students - and a few "other Arabs." It seems that Saudis with the credentials are preferring to head to the US or UK rather than KAUST.

[trapezius]

ksam, are you talking about a post with the university as en ESL instructor for helping university students, or as teacher in their K-12 schools? Because they are 2 completely things.

Don't know anything about conditions, but the pay is phenomenal for both jobs.

[veiledsentiments]

Have they got their K-12 school up and running yet? I know that they are trying to get some EFL teachers for the university.

VS

[trapezius]

Yup the schools have been running, and from the looks of it, have amazing facilities.

Check it out.

http://www.kaustschools.org
http://www.kaust.edu.sa/community/schools/gk-12.html

They use the IB system throughout K-12 and are a candidate for the IB World School designation.

[ksam]

trapezius, I was referring specifically to the K-12 international school. From the staff list on their website it seems they have a few EAL positions in addition to the regular K-12 positions. Also, according to their website they've been IBO certified since June 2010.

VS, thanks for the info. With all that money, it must of been something serious for that teacher to leave so soon. I guess nothing is ever as it seems in Saudi.

[johnslat]

Dear ksam

"I guess nothing is ever as it seems in Saudi."

Even the saying "Nothing is ever as it seems" is never as it seems in the Kingdom.

Regards,
John

[veiledsentiments]

[Miss TESOL]

The salaries on offer at the KAUST learning center aren't actually all that great (don't know about the KAUST schools). From my own contacts and queries I've learned that the current offer is around high 50's (USD) base salary plus another 500/week living allowance.

A nominal fee is deducted for hotel accommodation in Jeddah, so after these deductions, the salary would be in the low 80K range plus health benefits and 20 days vacation.

Previously KAUST/AED were offering an hourly wage which would indeed translate to nearly 100K for the year--w/ no benefits, AND provided one worked every single day of that year w/ no vacation. It's my understanding this hourly rate is no longer on offer.

Compared to the salaries and benefits being offered to regular faculty in science and engineering, this sounds like a fairly low offer for those in the efl dept. 80K is nothing to sniff at, but for the work involved, especially the long commute, and startup hardships, any takers will certainly be working long, hard hours to earn their paychecks.

MissT

[veiledsentiments]