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TEFL SAUDI ARABIA/TESOL SAUDI ARABIA
TEFL jobs Saudi Arabia & teaching English in Saudi Arabia
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| At a Glance - teaching English in Saudi Arabia |
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In 1902 Abd al-Aziz Ibn Saud captured Riyadh. He then commenced a 30-year campaign and succeeded in unifying the disparate groups on the Arabian Peninsula. But the transformation of the country began in the 1930s with the discovery of oil. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees. It also allowed Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year.
Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world (26% of the proved reserves), and ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues and roughly 4 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, particularly in the oil and service sectors. However Saudi Arabia has an increasing population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output. These are all major governmental concerns.
Teachers generally come to Saudi Arabia for one of two reasons: either they are attracted by the prospect of lucrative pay and benefits or they are accompanying a partner who is working in the region. Although the benefits have declined rather than increased over recent years, Saudi Arabia still has some of the most enviable contracts on offer in the world. Positions are numerous within private schools, petrochemical industries and the army and air force. Return airfare, 2 year contracts, paid accommodation and generous holidays are not uncommon.
In terms of where you live and work, there is a significant difference between the main centres. The coastal climate, both Dhahran and Dammam in the Eastern Province and in Jeddah on the Red Sea, is warm even in midwinter, and hot and humid from June to September. The interior, Riyadh especially, is hot but dry in summer and much cooler in winter, with even occasional early-morning frost.
The main city centres are astonishingly modern in appearance, but you will not find the lush shopping centres matched by western-style entertainments. Smaller towns are more interestingly traditional, and Saudis can be very welcoming. In some areas though, people are wary of strangers, so it’s advisable to take advice before travelling in country.
Those that succeed in securing a contract in Saudi Arabia will need to be able to live within the strict laws that govern everyday social interaction. Some limitation on one’s freedom of movement also has to be accepted – permission is needed to leave the Kingdom, for example, as well as to enter it. As long as you are aware of the potential pitfalls, the financial rewards are definitely there, allowing you to save money and live comfortably.
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Unless you reside amongst the growing expat community and are able to pick up work
locally, such benefits are not open to just anyone. You will normally need to be exceptionally well qualified (usually up to diploma level and beyond) and experienced (often 5 years or more). Adverts will also probably specify that you need to be male, sometimes that you must be under 50 or 55. Most EFL teachers are likely to fall short of at least one of these requirements.
Many expats find Jeddah the most congenial centre, more relaxed and cosmopolitan than many Saudi towns and centres. As on the East Coast, there are swimming and other water sports to enjoy. The Jeddah area does have particular advantages though. First there’s the Red Sea’s coral reef – diving or just snorkelling here is a real treat. Then there’s the cool ‘resort’ of Taif, high up on the Hijaz escarpment – the spectacular views, as well as the fresh air, are well worth the drive.
If applying from abroad, try the EL Gazette (monthly, generally by subscription - see http://www.elgazette.com/ and the Times Educational Supplement (Fridays). Larger agencies that recruit on behalf of Saudi companies can also be found in the Guardian (Tuesdays). As previously mentioned, if you are a spouse of an expat worker, it should not be too difficult to pick up some local work. Qualifications are rarely looked at by parents who would like their children to learn English from a native speaker and this practice is well established. But you must always be culturally sensitive in terms of the content of your teaching material as it can be easy to unwittingly offend. But the good news is that people are very keen to learn English and so enthusiastic students are often the norm.
It is not advisable to travel to the country and find work on spec and there are no tourist visas. The company who employs you will make the necessary application for visas and work permits. Contact your local health centre for up to date advice on any inoculations necessary.
Whatever the pay and benefits, living in an alcohol free Islamic state with a lot of expats could prove a challenge for many in the long term. Saudi Arabia is one of the stricter Middle Eastern countries, particularly for women who are not allowed to drive and should be chaperoned when they go out. For this reason, those with the necessary qualifications who still want the financial rewards often try for Bahrain or the United Arab Emirates, both of which offer a comparatively liberal way of life. There are also stories of teachers arriving in Saudi Arabia to find that the salary and benefits are not as good as originally promised. If applying from abroad, ensure everything is absolutely secured in writing before leaving.
However, if you do decide that Saudi Arabia is for you, then there is considerable financial compensation. You can expect a tax free salary of around £20,000 - £26,000. To avoid a large tax bill on return to the UK, obtain a ‘working overseas’ form from the tax office. Accommodation often comes with the job and can be luxurious. If you have secured work as a married couple, the contract will often provide free health care and school fees, otherwise you will need to make sure you have some form of health cover before you go.
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Global English student Alan Hood is following our Global English Level 2 TESOL course and writes about living and working in Saudi Arabia:
I have now been in Saudi Arabia for the last seventeen years though teaching for only the last three. I really enjoy living there though it does initially take some getting used to because of the cultural differences.
I live in the eastern part of the country in Al Khobar which has one main advantage in that you can easily drive over to Bahrain in about an hour. Bahrain has a number of very good restaurants, bars and cinemas and is a lot more relaxed than Saudi Arabia. If you want to visit Bahrain (or any other country for that matter) it helps to have a multiple exit & re-entry visa which means you can go anytime you want.
For me one of the best attractions of Saudi Arabia is exploring and camping in the vast desert. Much of the desert, especially in the west is stunningly beautiful and well worth visiting.
Security has been major concern of late though the Saudi government has done a very good job in bringing it under control and people now feel a lot more relaxed.
The people are generally very friendly and I certainly found this when teaching. The students had a very good sense of humour which helps when teaching though sometimes they could be a little too relaxed in their attitude towards work.
If you would like any more information my e-mail address is alanhoodsa@yahoo.com
Global English tutor Philip Ingle has worked in Saudi Arabia and comments:
My work in Saudi involved something of a contrast, with tightly regulated conditions in the military and a more laid-back life in civilian teaching. TEFL in the Air Force under British Aerospace was highly programmed, ‘by the book’ and exam-oriented. There was little scope for creativity, and the routine was quite strenuous for both teachers and students, so a dedicated TEFLer is likely to find the work frustrating.
In Jeddah, a more relaxed environment, I taught ground staff for the civil aviation authority. There was scope for a more personal and creative contribution here, with materials writing and an early (for me) foray into the world of materials for ESP (English for Specific Purposes).
It just goes to show – there can be substantial variation in circumstances within a single area, even one country. It’s as well to keep an open mind about ‘where to go’, because jobs (and employers) do vary, and there may be both interest value and useful experience in some unpromising situations, even if one does not in the end stay on too long.
If you have any experience of working in Saudi Arabia and would like to share it with us, please email us at info@global-english.com.
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British Council http://www.britishcouncil.org/
British Council in Saudi Arabia: http://www.britishcouncil.org/saudiarabia.htm
Saudi Arabian Embassy UK: http://saudiarabia.embassyhomepage.com/
Saudi Arabian Embassy USA: http://www.saudiembassy.net/
Saudi Arabian National Tourist Office: http://www.sauditourism.gov.sa/
Need more info? Go here: Teaching English Abroad
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DISCLAIMER
These pages are for general information only and whilst every effort has been made to ensure information is correct, it is up to the individual to thoroughly investigate the conditions of entry to countries and the legal working regulations. If offered a job, please carefully vet all terms and conditions. Inclusion of potential employment opportunities does not in any way represent a guarantee of employment.
When travelling overseas, please refer to your government’s own advice on current conditions in each country. The British Foreign Office website is a good resource for travel advice. Please follow the link: http://www.fco.gov.uk/
If you find a broken link or if you have an experience you would like to share with others about working in a particular country, please email us.
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