Job Discussion Forums

sirius black · Joined: 21 Nov 2011 Posts: 41

I am seriously considering teaching in the ME and will likely end up in SA. I am familiar with teaching in Korea. I want to find out abour the following please:

1. Do they usuallly have a curve or are grades based on merit?
2. Are most uni teaching jobs for conversation? Grammar? Both? Other?
3. Do they have student evalations?
4. How much 'freedom' with regards to syllabus, etc. is usually granted? Its a subjective question to some extent but are you monitored closely or told exactly what to teach or do you have a fair amount of room for creativity (video, in class activities, etc.)?
5. How long are the classes typically?

desertdawg · Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Posts: 206

Students don't fail.

Crowd control/baby sitting.

Lots of paperwork you and the students will enjoy producing.

When student marks need to be upwardly corrected, then you will be blaimed for teaching the wrong stuff. When students complain of boredom and become even more wild then you will be blaimed for not being creative enough in the classroom.

40 - 180 mins

johnslat · Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:08 pm Post subject:

Dear sirius black,

So much depends - not upon a red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens - but upon where you will be working.

Regards,
John

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

In reply to Sirius Black's questions:

1. Do they usuallly have a curve or are grades based on merit?

Usually, no. To both questions, at least insofar as private unis are concerned.

2. Are most uni teaching jobs for conversation? Grammar? Both? Other?

Grammar, in theory, but in practice, many people hired haven't got a clue about teaching grammar...or using it, in some cases. It's OK, though, because quite a few folks in 'management' don't either. Most Saudi students need grammar, but want conversation, simply because it means they don't have to do any work!

3. Do they have student evalations?
Yes, in govt unis; only in theory, in most private unis.

4. How much 'freedom' with regards to syllabus, etc. is usually granted? Its a subjective question to some extent but are you monitored closely or told exactly what to teach or do you have a fair amount of room for creativity (video, in class activities, etc.)?

If it's a half-decent institution, then no, you don't have that much freedom, simply because academic English, after all, is all about an outcome-based curriculum & syllabus. People who 'teach' through nebulous activities and meaningless games do more harm than good. However, in a number of institutions, no-one actually knows what academic English is, never mind know the difference between curriculum and syllabus. So, in many private establishments, you can do what you want in class. Some even encourage 'academic freedom', a euphemism for not having a clue and caring even less. Just don't delude yourself that it necessarily constitutes education.

5. How long are the classes typically?

50 mins, but mostly doubled up, so effectively, two teaching hours with a 10 min break in-between, which is reasonable. [/i][/b]

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

Guttrah in a GMC Suburban · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 2:44 pm Post subject:

Thanks Bebsi for being the only person who honestly made the effort to answer the question with sincerity, without trying to be flippant. Wink

johnslat · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 2:47 pm Post subject:

Dear Guttrah in a GMC Suburban,

If you don't think my answer was sincere/serious, then your experience of working in the Kingdom must be either non-existent or extremely limited.

Regards,
John

BretHarte · Joined: 17 Aug 2011 Posts: 94

You really need to read johnslat's comment until it sinks in. It makes perfect sense. No wait, don't bother. Working here without knowing what you're getting into is to thing to do.

Guttrah in a GMC Suburban · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 6:30 pm Post subject:

I was kind-of referring to the �dawg��s comment. And I did put a wink at the end. Very Happy

I was thinking that it could be the irony button that John spoke about in some of his other comments. Gee whiz. I like Sir John�s comment. I have read enough of John�s postings to respect his sage advice. Peace. Can I come back and try to sit at the cool table?

BretHarte · Joined: 17 Aug 2011 Posts: 94

I don't think desertdawg's response was flippant.

Sheikennotstirred · Joined: 30 Sep 2011 Posts: 28 Location: Saudi Arabia

johnslat · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:02 pm Post subject:

Dear Guttrah in a GMC Suburban,

"Can I come back and try to sit at the cool table?"

Of course - as long as you bring the chips and dip. Very Happy

The problem with sirius black's question is that it's far too general, which is why Bebsi's answer is chock full of words/phrases such as "usually," "at least insofar as," "many," "most," "quite a few," "in theory," "if."

The problem with desertdawg's answer wasn't flippancy as much as its being too specific (while seeming to be general.)

Which is why I like Sheikennotstirred's response; it's up front about its specificity: "Answers just for my university . . ."

To get some useful info, sirius black needs to be more specific about where he/she wants to work. There's simply too much variation, even just among all the "university" jobs.

Regards,
John