Job Discussion Forums

Hasna · Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 17 Location: Saigon

I was wondering if any of you could offer some advice. I applied to one of the SABIS schools in Kurdistan as a sports teacher (which is my primary expertise, though I've taught ESL for a few years as well). I've read pretty much all the posts here on Dave's, as well as all the blogs that talk about how "awful, terrible, wretched" the SABIS schools are. However, one of the main complaints seems to be the teaching methodology. Teaching for the test, no creativity, classroom management, etc. As a sports teacher (job description calls for judging at inter-ISC competitions, choreography, training competitive teams, etc.), the situation would be a little different. (Example: If you teach a grammar concept way before a student is ready, they'll struggle, get frustrated, and maybe fail the test. Teach a back layout way before a student is ready? They could break their neck.)

Some of you have taught at a SABIS school before. Do you know what the experiences of the sports teachers were like?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Don't go. They are not good employers.

Hasna · Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 17 Location: Saigon

Thank you for such an in depth, informative reply. I certainly couldn't have found that information anywhere else.

In case anyone else cares to not read my original post, I was asking specifically about sports teachers. I have read almost every single post on this board about SABIS, as well as all the "Sabis stinks" websites, and am having a hard time figuring out how much of it is applicable to those teaching sports, as we are not in a classroom, and our "curriculum" is different.

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

Mr. Scot47:

When will you ever learn?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I have learned that this is a forum for EFL teachers. Do not post here about Sports Teaching, Necromancy or any other unrelated subjects !

Hasna · Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 17 Location: Saigon

Where, then, do you suggest I post questions about SABIS sports? On the Canadian Gymnastics forums, perhaps? I'm sure most of the posters there have worked in Iraq, and are familiar with SABIS.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Not here - this is a forum about teaching English !

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

Come on guys... at least it is related to education and s/he isn't asking about engineering salaries in Dubai. Cool

I'd say that the question is appropriate for this board as s/he is looking for a teacher with experience in the Kurdistan branch.

Hasna... I don't know if we have anyone on the board right now with direct experience there. Since you have read the board and blogs, you are aware of the complaints about the branch and Sabis in general. If no one shows up in a few days, you may just have to decide whether your analysis of fewer problems in your area is worth the risk.

VS

Mikalina · Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 6:44 pm Post subject:

Not with SABIS but am near Erbil. Seems to me the most important things are flight money, contract and visa. Everything else is just experience.

Insist on flight money up front; insist on a contract; you have 10 days to change your temporary visa into a residency visa- insist on this too.

Whatever you do, teach english or sport, you and your skill are a tradeable commodity - you will be treated as such. Not a place for the 'delicate'

Scot47 -there is no link between necromancy and TEFL? Oh, dear......

Mikalina · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 7:43 pm Post subject:

Sorry, was really tired the other night - under a lot of stress. Just found out what necromancy means - was thinking of necrophillia....

Yeah, no necromancy on this site.....

huh? · Joined: 17 Mar 2011 Posts: 18

Dear Hasna,
This is a site for EFL teachers. If you get your knickers in a twist because a customs worker doesn't speak good English and you just have to tell the world about it, if you want to slag off someone who disagrees with you, if you want to point out that almost everyone in the country you presently work in is stupid, if you have an urge to tell everyone that many people in teaching are pathetic but you happen to be incredibly clever - feel free to do so. All of these are relevant and worthwhile posts - but only if you are a bonafide English language teacher.

If you have a genuine question about education, conditions or benefits, please do not post here. You are not one of us. If you someday elect to become one of us, please be aware that, while we sometimes do so, we are not obligated to give you any factual information. It is our right to rant, gloat, and generalize. It is extremely presumptuous of you to expect anything else. And as far as talking back to us - really Hasna, just who do you think you are?!?

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

huh?

So... is your post supposed to be sarcasm?

VS

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The poster might see it as Irony

I would merely point out that the Forum is

Daves ESLCafe

Not Daves Forum for Sports Teachers

DedicatedTeacher · Joined: 11 Dec 2010 Posts: 10

Do not go under any circumstances! A teacher this past week was held at gun point while trying to leave the school. Almost no teachers will be returning and local groups are trying to shut down the school. It is beyond scary. A student jumped out of window trying to take their life and the administration refuses to acknowledge it happened. I can give you more horror stories if you want them.

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

Thanks for the information about the reality on the ground. It can be hard to find on places like this.

VS