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[deathbychocolate]

I�ve just had an interview with Dammam Community College ( http://www.dcc.kfupm.edu.sa/efl.html ). The guys who interviewed me seemed really nice and I think it went pretty well.

I wasn�t too keen on Saudi before the interview (and recently rejected a job offer with Bell/Obeikan over there) but now I�m not so sure.

When I asked about the package, I was told that we'd get family accommodation and an allowance for our children's education (we have a 12 year old daughter and our son is 8 ). They also told me that we'd be on 'the compound' wherein my wife could drive and there are plenty of sports facilities, restaurants and so on.

They haven't got back to me yet so I suppose this is a bit premature. However I have a few questions that I was hoping to get answered before making any decisions.

1) Assuming I get an offer, I wanted to know if there is anything I should ask about or look out for regarding pay, accommodation, schooling etc.

2) Regarding schooling in particular, I was told there are (expensive) British or American schools and others that are more of a mix between international and local and that most teachers send their kids to them. I've heard plenty of horror stories of racism against non-Arab children but perhaps that only happens in local schools (?). What are the schools like?

3) We're all really keen to learn Arabic and I wanted to know how easy that would be for us (we�d like to be able to read, write and speak in a year or two). Some people tell me my question is a no-brainer since �it's Saudi Arabia�. Others have said that ex-pats only meet Pakistanis and Philippinos and if we really want to make learning Arabic a priority we should go to Cairo, enrol on an Arabic course there and be prepared to dip into savings to top up my income. How easy would it be for us to study Arabic in Dammam?

Thank you so much

[007]

[deathbychocolate]

Tnx 007

Will need to check up on the amount per child. I'm not sure I'd go for the British schools but was wondering how inclusive the alternatives would be.

Regarding Arabic, we all want to learn and were hoping to enrol on a course over there or perhaps hire a tutor. Would that be a realistic option?

[scot47]

25,000 SR is the total education allowance. This is not per child. BISAK or IPS cost around 30,000 per year per child. Cheaper schools can be had.

Finding a good tutor or quality course in Arabic could be problematic. The assumption is often made that learners want Arabic for religious purposes. If that is what you want it could be done. If you are interested in acquiring MSA (Modern Standard Arabic), Saudi Arabia is not the best place to learn.

My approach many years ago was to get myself a serious standard text.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Arabic-Grammar-Written-Language/dp/085331585X

and then find someone who could teach me using that. That worked for me but I had already studies Latin and modern Foreign Languages. I am not sure that Haywood and Nahmad would nbe the best approach for an 8-year-old.

[deathbychocolate]

Tnx Scot

Thanks for clarifying the education allowance q. Do you know anything about the alternatives to the schools you mentioned?

The Arabic would be primarily for religious purposes but I like the idea of using a standard text - I actually have that book! It's been gathering dust for ages I'm ashamed to say.

Why would learning Arabic for religious purposes be easier? Is it simply that there are more courses available for this than MSA?

[scot47]

http://www.isgdammam.org/

The assumption by many of your more bigoted co-religionists is that the only reason for learning Arabic is because it is, they claim, the language of the One True Faith. My understanding is that in one of the Schools of Jurisprudence it is stated that non-Muslims should not be taught Arabic. (Is that the Hanbali School ?) I am always suspicious of those who claim to have a direct line of communication with the Godhead.

When you get here you may be surprised how difficult it is to find a competent teacher of AFL (Arabic as a Foreign Language)

[007]

[deathbychocolate]

Scott,

I'm not sure that saying that Arabic is the language of Islam would make one a bigot and I've never heard of any prohibition on teaching it nor does anyone claim direct communication with God - except perhaps Bush 43.

I didn't actually understand the relevance of your comment; maybe your view is that it would be easier for me and my family to learn Arabic for religious purposes than to learn MSA not because of a shortage of MSA teachers/courses but because many bigotted Muslims/institutions refuse to teach non-Muslims which would leave more teachers for us. But in any case they are not competent at teaching AFL because you've heard some bad reports from Muslims they have taught.

I don't think I'm much clearer on the Arabic problem but thank you so much for the ISG link.

[johnslat]

Dear deathbychocolate.

" . . . nor does anyone claim direct communication with God - except perhaps Bush 43."

Oh, he's got LOTS of company - unfortunately.

Regards,
John

[deathbychocolate]

Point taken - you're so right

[007]

To Uncle Scott:

All languages are from God Almighty, and there is a verse in the Quran which states:
"And that you differ in tongues and colors"(Quran - Ar-Rum 30: 22).

[veiledsentiments]

What I found outside of Saudi in other Gulf countries is that the most common place to find regular and affordable Arabic lessons was in an "Islamic Center" where they often work with converts or Muslims from countries where Arabic is not a first language.

But, for people who merely want to learn the language without it being religion based, it can be a problem. It is much easier to find general AFL courses in North Africa and the Levant.

VS

[scot47]

If you want to use that text by Haywood and Nahmad, bring it with you. I have never seen a copy on sale in KSA.

And I still maintain that the Wahabi/Hanbali line is that Arabic should not be taught to the "infidel".

[deathbychocolate]

Thanks VS; that clarifies things for me. I guess that means Arabic classes would be available to us should we decide to go there.

[veiledsentiments]