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Helpful Information
Helpful Information
Contents
Contents
Living in Hofuf, Al-Ahsa
Who writes the checks?
How painful is the Saudi Visa process?
Who calls the shots at work?
Where do I fit in all of this?
1. Living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
1. Living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
Although KSA has been liberalizing and modernizing in recent years, the society is still fairly conservative and mostly gender separated. There’s a men’s side and a women’s side in many public spaces including banks and schools. Saudi singles still don’t mix all that much in public. Although there is no law requiring women to cover up, many women still wear an “Abaya” (long black veil like dress) in public. Women are now allowed to drive and may travel about the country. However, it’s advisable for women to travel with a friend. It is not against the law for women to walk alone in public, but there may be incidents of harassment by men if the women are not dressed conservatively (Abaya). To be on the safe side, we do not recommend that women walk around the community unless in a group.
FYI
Religion (Islam) is central to the country and society. Do not underestimate religious sensitivity. The society is very serious about religion. It’s better not to engage in any religious conversations.
KSA prohibits most forms of public entertainment. There is no nightlife nor alcohol.
Movie cinemas have been opening all over the country recently. There's one in Al Ahsa currently, but many more are being build.
Men may be required to also dress conservatively in public when going to the mall or bank (sometimes security denies entrance). Conservatively, in this context, mainly means to avoid wearing short pants.
KSA is relatively safe. There’s very little violent crime.
It’s generally safe to travel around the country by train, plane, or car.
It’s generally safe to walk around the city, but females should be accompanied by friends or colleagues.
Saudi people are generally very social and friendly, and have a quick sense of humor.
The local people are generally friendly and helpful, but we need to always respect local customs.
Some teachers will be happy to know that KSA society has been opening and modernizing in recent years, and now mixed genders can dine out in restaurants and cafes, and go to movie theaters.
If you like sunshine, you will enjoy the weather here. Although it’s quite hot from Aug to Oct, it’s very pleasant from Nov-Apr.
2. Living in Hofuf, Al-Ahsa
2. Living in Hofuf, Al-Ahsa
We live in the city Hofuf which is in Al-Ahsa province (Eastern Province area). It’s an old city of about two million people and growing. The infrastructure is modern including roads, highways, and utilities. There’s not much public entertainment besides a few shopping malls. However, the grocery stores are good and carry most western food. Further, the hospitals and pharmacies are good, and you can fill most western prescriptions. There are at least two large, modern gyms in the city that male teachers can join for a reasonable monthly fee.
The weather is quite hot when we arrive in August (45+ Celsius, 115+ Fahrenheit), but temperatures gradually decline throughout the winter months. Nov-Apr are quite pleasant with daytime averages of 20-25. Starting in May, the summer temps are consistently above 40 degrees during the day. It’s usually quite dry here with low humidity (around 20%).
FYI
Driving can be dangerous as the young men are a bit reckless and aggressive, drive at excessive speeds, and play on mobile phones while driving.
Due to the city’s expansion, some of the roads are under perpetual construction.
Saudi Arabia experiences periodic sand and dust storms. These storms occur about once a month and are quite unpleasant as the dust gets into everything including our apartments.
Prescription drugs for mental health or female hormonal balance may not be available in KSA.
We’re generally materially comfortable here, but it can be a little boring for some teachers looking for more public entertainment or social life.
Al-Ahsa is in the Eastern Province within a three-hour drive to Bahrain depending on how busy the border is.
The Internet has improved significantly in recent years and we can now stream and download with decent reliability.
Living here is a good opportunity to read, exercise, eat well, meditate, and detox.
Shabaka provides health insurance which covers most hospital visits with a small co-pay.
Some teachers complete on-line courses and certifications while here.
The grocery stores are very good and can accommodate vegetarian needs.
There is a growing number of cafes, restaurants, and movie theaters.
Did we mention sunshine? There is no seasonal affective disorder as the sun shines almost everyday here.
3. What is expected of me?
3. What is expected of me?
When you sign a contract in Saudi Arabia (or anywhere), the Sponsoring company will expect that you fulfill the contract and not leave early before the contract is completed. While in Saudi Arabia, the sponsor is responsible for us. If you break the contract and go missing, the sponsor will alert the Saudi authorities and you may be arrested. If you’re not happy here, no worries, we can arrange an exit, but please be professional and give Proper Notice. Proper Notice is hereby defined as 30 days per Saudi Labor Law. Further, please consider your students and don’t leave them without a teacher mid-way through one of our intense courses (quarters).
FYI
The Ministry of Labor is responsible for your employment while in Saudi Arabia.
Generally the Ministry will not approve a move to another Saudi employer until your contract has expired. In other words, teachers cannot change schools within Saudi Arabia until their contract has expired.
The Ministry will not approve the transfer of Iqamas/sponsorship until the contract is over.
Per the contract, teachers must give 30 days notice if they want to break the contract.
Per Saudi Labor Law, if 30 days notice is not given, the sponsor may withhold one month’s salary.
Teachers who break the contract without Proper Notice face further serious consequences including being blacklisted with Saudi immigration and barred from re-entering the country indefinitely.
The Sponsor is honest and will uphold his side of the contract.
The Sponsor will not prevent a teacher from breaking the contract and leaving Saudi Arabia as long as the teacher gives proper notice.
We can usually accommodate teachers who don’t give 30 days notice, but do finish out the teaching quarter plus the final exam and grading responsibilities (no blacklisting).
4. Who writes the checks?
4. Who writes the checks?
Shabaka Training is a Saudi Arabian Educational Company. Mr. Mohammed Al Saadoun is the President/Owner. His brother Dr. Saadoun Al Saadoun is the Academic Consultant. They are very down to earth and honest people. They own several other businesses as well as the training company including: a travel agency, trucking company, contracting company, grocery stores, hospital, and an oil recycling operation. Dr. Saadoun used to sit on the Shura Council in Riyadh similar to a Canadian Member of Parliament or U.S. Congressman.
Shabaka also owns and operates a new state of the art English Language Institute in the Al-Ahsa community. There might be some limited opportunities for teachers to pick up extra evening and weekend teaching.
We try to treat all of our teachers and staff with dignity and respect. The human relationship with our people is first and foremost. Nevertheless, we demand the highest professionalism when it comes to representing Shabaka in the community and at the university including delivering quality instruction for our students and accurate grade reports to the Client University.
FYI
Even though Shabaka is western managed, the Saudi sponsor still runs the payroll, visas, compound, and general operations.
As mentioned above, the sponsor is quite busy with other businesses. Thus, we’re not always the center of their universe and we might have to be patient with some requests and decisions.
The Sponsor genuinely tries to accommodate most of the teachers’ reasonable needs and requests while in Saudi Arabia.
The Sponsor has been successfully hosting hundreds of foreign teachers for over 12 years.
5. What's Saudi visa process like?
5. What's Saudi visa process like?
For the longest time, the Saudi Ministry of Labor allowed several types of visas for teachers. However, now they are only offering Employment visas leading to the Saudi Residency card, otherwise referred to as the Iqama.
FYI
Saudi visa rules and regulations are subject to change at any time without any prior notice. We may set a visa plan for you and it may change at any time.
There are different visa requirements in different countries. For example, teacher credential requirements are different for UK teachers versus American teachers.
Teachers must return to their passport country to obtain the Saudi employment visa.
The employment visa usually requires a medical report, police background check, and degree attestation.
Shabaka has agents in Ottawa, Washington, D.C., and London to assist you with the process.
We will support your application and guide you through the requirements.
Shabaka will reimburse you for all of the expenses associated with obtaining the visa.
Once you’ve obtained the visa, we will send you a free eticket up front, usually to Dammam airport which is about 1.5 hours away.
6. Who calls the shots at work?
6. Who calls the shots at work?
Shabaka has a large government contract with King Faisal University, Hofuf to provide Preparatory year English courses over four 8 week quarters. The Client University has clear expectations of Shabaka. The contract is based on set hours of teaching and office hours. The Preparatory English courses are not university credit courses, but are designed to prepare students for an undergraduate curriculum taught mostly in English. The PYD English program is also designed to teach the students higher standards of punctuality, study habits, academic integrity, and responsibility.
FYI
We are assigned to the Dean of the Preparatory Year Deanship. He is our client and immediate supervisor.
The Dean has the final say on our Academic program, Teaching hours, and Holidays.
Some teachers coming from less formal teaching environments may feel a little pressure or stress in the beginning as they transition to a more demanding, professional environment.
The Preparatory Year Deanship (PYD) is highly structured, follows a set curriculum, and attendance is strictly enforced.
We are not university professors. We are ESL teachers with a contract at a university to provide ESL instruction. We do not have the independence or autonomy of university professors.
Mandatory dress code for male teachers is shirt and tie, slacks, belt, shirt tucked in, and dress shoes. Female teachers should be dressed professionally, but conservatively.
The client university expects a high level of professionalism from our teachers.
The Dean of the PYD is supportive of the English Program, and follows through with real consequences for students who have punctuality and discipline problems.
The Dean of the PYD allows us to legitimately fail students who are underachieving.
7. What’s King Faisal University like?
7. What’s King Faisal University like?
King Faisal University is one of the largest government universities in Saudi Arabia with many colleges and faculties. It’s like a big community college as the majority of students still live at home and commute to the campus each day. We are assigned to the Preparatory Year Deanship. Our job is to prepare students for the colleges of Medicine, Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Science, and Business. The students have been conditionally accepted to their college program, but in order to be officially accepted they must successfully complete the Preparatory year program PYP. The PYP’s main emphasis is on English skills, but also includes shorter courses in Math, Computer Science, Life Skills, and General Science.
The campus is gender separated. The leadership of the university is Saudi, but many of the professors are Indian, Pakistani, Sudanese, Egyptian, and Jordanian. There is an enormous project underway to expand the university and its facilities. The students are paid a small stipend to attend.
FYI
On the Men’s side, offices are limited, and we have to share office space.
We continue to experience many facility issues including A/C, water, and projectors in need of repair.
Facility maintenance and repair is not a strong point at the university.
Shabaka leadership has NO CONTROL over KFU facilities, and can only remind and lobby the Dean to expedite requests.
Most of the classrooms have adequate air conditioning, seating, and whiteboards.
A reliable wireless connection is available on the campus.
There are decent and inexpensive cafeterias on both the male campus and the female campus.
The females moved into a brand new building in August, 2019.
8. Who do I report to at work?
8. Who do I report to at work?
You will be assigned to a Team Leader (TL) upon arrival. You will be on a team with about 6-7 other teachers and your TL.
The Management philosophy is to hire good people, give them clear expectations, and then get out of the way and let them do their jobs to the best of their ability. Nevertheless, the Client University has high performance expectations. Thus, we are accountable to follow policies and meet deadlines.
In any large organization or program, there will be some miscommunication from time to time. Teachers may feel stressed and upset at times. Please try to remain calm and professional. Negative, demanding, and threatening communication will not help the situation. If a teacher does communicate in a negative manner, management will ask that they tone it down and try to be more positive. If you are a very sensitive personality that doesn’t take feedback or constructive suggestions well, we may not be a good fit (nothing personal).
FYI
Team Leaders
You will be assigned to a Team Leader upon arrival. The Team Leaders are encouraged to be supportive, but they are also responsible for making sure that their Team members are following policies, meeting deadlines, and reporting accurate grades and attendance.
Thus, if you are consistently struggling with meeting the demands of the job, your Team Leader will meet with you, provide constructive feedback, and produce an action plan for performance improvement.
Team Leaders have different communication styles. Some will utilize a softer, more personal approach, while others might be a bit more firm and less congenial. Please don’t take it personally.
The Team Leaders are under a fair amount of pressure, too, and they also teach a full load.
The best way to maintain a positive relationship with your TL is to follow policies, pay attention to detail, and meet deadlines.
The Team Leaders are experienced teachers in our program and are good resources of knowledge.
The Team Leaders are supportive and are here to help, including emotional and professional support.
Operations Manager
The Operations manager is responsible for payroll, visas, transportation, and university compliance.
The Operations manager deals with many student issues and complaints.
The Operations manager ensures that we present a professional image to the university client including teacher dress code, punctuality, and following procedures.
Due to the scope and pressure of his job, the Operations manager might not always be warm, friendly, and fuzzy.
The Operations Manager is fair, but firm. He might need to reprimand or give warnings from time to time if he sees areas of concern. Please don’t take it personally.
The Operations manager is fluent in Arabic and is a professional conduit between western teachers, and Saudi students and the Client university.
If there is a student issue or complaint in your classroom, the Operations manager will do everything in his power to support the teacher and diffuse the situation.
The Operations manager will manage your visa runs and renewals, and provide transportation to the border.
Administrative Manager
The Administrative manager is responsible for the grades and attendance of over 4000 students.
We use Moodle, an online Learning Management System (LMS), to keep track of the student grades. Thus, you will be required to train, learn, and become comfortable using the online platform.
Moodle is housed on KFU servers. The KFU IT Center often presents a major challenge for our Admin. Manager.
The University client expects attendance to be taken and entered in their system on a daily basis. They also expect grade reports each week and at the end of each quarter.
Due to the scope and pressure of his job, The Admin. manager might not always be warm, friendly, and fuzzy.
The Admin. Manager is fair, but firm. He might need to reprimand or give warnings from time to time if he sees areas of concern. Please don’t take it personally.
The Admin. Manager has a mandate from the Director to constantly strive to minimize and simplify the Admin. tasks for our teachers, so that they can concentrate on their student relationships, lesson planning, and classroom instruction.
The Admin. Manager is constantly looking for ways to automate, upload, and alleviate the Admin. burden on the teachers.
Shabaka now conducts at least 50 percent of it’s weekly tests and exams online which are automatically graded and posted to the grade book.
Shabaka and the Admin. manager are very committed to doing everything we can to limit and reduce the amount of Admin. tasks required by the Client University.
9. Where do I fit in all of this?
9. Where do I fit in all of this?
Shabaka will be 14 years old in August, 2022. There will be approximately 130 teachers and staff in 2022-23. The Director has been with the company since its infancy, 2008. The Assistant Director, Operations has been with the company for ten years. The Compound Manager has been with us for ten years. Many of our Team Leaders have been here for 3, 4, and 5 years plus. Our team has successfully renewed this large government contract with King Faisal University six times in 14 years. We earned program accreditation in 2022 through a lengthy and exhausting evaluation process by the Commission on English Language Accreditation (CEA) from Washington, D.C. We continue to maintain the required yearly CEA standards.
While we remain humble and committed to Constant and Never Ending Improvement (CANI), we encourage new teachers to settle in and learn our system, and respectfully hold feedback and suggestions until after the 1st Quarter. A good approach here (when you’re new to the team or program) is to lay a little low in the beginning, learn the systems, and heed the advice of your returning peers, especially your Team Leader. We appreciate and respect everyone’s diverse experience and talents, but the 1st Quarter isn’t an ideal time to start analyzing the program’s weaknesses and offering solutions. We fully realize that the program isn’t perfect and we will welcome your valuable input after the chaos and dust settles from the 1st Quarter. In summary, with about 120 teachers and over 5000 students, we need you to please just concentrate on learning the system and teaching your class, and try to stay calm and not stress out too much.
FYI
The 1st Quarter will be quite busy and a little chaotic with over 5000 new students and many new teachers to train and orient.
New teachers may feel a bit overwhelmed with new information, policies, and procedures.
New teachers may feel a bit of pressure and stress to learn a new system and keep up with the pace.
Team Leaders will be very busy in the 1st Quarter helping new teachers and keeping up with their own class.
The Management team will be very busy in the 1st Quarter with new systems, curriculum changes, and new reporting requirements by the Client University.
Please expect IT and Facility issues at the university in the 1st Quarter. It will take us at least a few weeks to get everything up and running.
The 1st Quarter is not a good time to analyze the program and lobby for changes.
We have an experienced, battle tested team who won’t buckle under the strain of the 1st Quarter.
We try our best to provide a comprehensive, albeit brief orientation.
We try to supplement the orientation with an online Teacher’s Hub and Tutorials on how to teach the book and various skills.
Team Leaders will do their best to support you and help you adjust to the new environment.
There will be plenty of returning teachers around who are more than willing to help you out. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Out of the chaos of the 1st Quarter, you will settle into the new system and it will become a fairly smooth routine.
Thereafter, we will welcome your constructive feedback and ideas for improvement.
Your feedback and suggestions for the improvement of the program are very welcome. We just ask that communication remains constructive and professional.
10. How I am evaluated?
10. How I am evaluated?
Similar to most educational environments, the Preparatory Year Deanship at King Faisal University is a unique culture. The University Client has specific expectations of our teachers. Also, the students will have expectations of the teacher that will require the teacher to follow our system and teaching methods.
FYI
Your Team Leader will visit your classroom early in the 1st Quarter to observe your teaching style and classroom management.
They might need to offer some recommendations and/or adjustments to your teaching style to better meet the client and student expectations.
They might meet with you to review your lesson plan and give you feedback.
Regardless of your credentials or experience, you will need to be open and accepting of some constructive feedback.
Your Team Leader will follow up with another visit within a week or so to make sure that you’re implementing the recommended adjustments and changes.
Feedback is designed to support you and help you improve.
Recommended adjustments in teaching style are aimed at preventing possible student complaints.
Feedback is always given in a professional and respectful manner.
11. What are the students like?
11. What are the students like?
You will be assigned a class consisting of between 30-40 students ages 18-19 in the 1st Quarter. You will probably be their first significant contact with a western person, so it’s important to build rapport and respect. They will be curious about your background, hobbies, and family. The boys are typical teenagers; they’re mostly interested in cars, movies, and computer games. They’re very vocal and chatty for males. Some of them will test you and try to disrupt your class and lesson. You will have to set clear boundaries and rules during the first two weeks of the semester. The women are considerably more mature and generally better behaved, but can be sensitive. The first quarter is quite demanding for the teachers. One of our mandates from the Client University is to filter out some of the less serious students. By the second quarter, the PYD will have filtered out most of the less committed students and you can enjoy classes of more serious and mature students. I think it’s safe to say that 80% of the students are serious, respectful, and here to learn.
Teachers should develop a positive relationship and rapport with their students. However, teachers should not cross certain professional lines including:
Never meet any students (even as a group) outside the university on evenings or weekends.
Never engage in any sort of physical contact with students, other than shaking hands.
Never meet with a student alone without at least the presence of other students or teachers.
Never share personal contact information with students including social media, email, or mobile phone numbers.
Never accept gifts from students. Never accept watches, phones, or any other expensive items.
The students are mostly 18 years of age, but due to still living at home and not working, they can be a bit immature for their age. The students can be charming and friendly. They mostly have a good sense of humor. However, do not let your guard down and become too informal with them. They are often times trying to win some advantage or favor. The University Client expects strict adherence to the five policies listed above. Failure to adhere could cause a serious issue and may lead to the teacher’s contract being terminated.
FYI
Be prepared for some junior high (or middle school) and high school freshmen maturity levels.
Some of the Saudi high schools are a bit slack and undisciplined, so you will have to be strong in your classroom management and discipline.
The students are notorious for cheating and you will have to proctor your exams very closely.
Some of the male students are a bit lazy and unmotivated.
The society is conservative, and you must exercise caution and common sense when bridging topics of religion, gender roles, and sexuality.
Sometimes the students launch complaints against teachers with the Dean of the Preparatory Program.
The students are generally respectful of authority and we don’t experience any of the threatening or mocking nonsense that North American high school teachers have to endure.
Most of the students are personable and have a good sense of humor, and you can lighten up after you have established some discipline.
Most of the students (even the males) take the program seriously and are here to learn.
We will do everything in our power to support the teacher to defuse any student complaints.
12. How much Admin work should I expect?
12. How much Admin work should I expect?
First of all, the university client demands weekly assessments, as in tests given on Thursdays at the end of every week. The client feels strongly that this is the only way to maintain the students’ focus and commitment. Thus, we have no choice but to administer weekly tests.
Further, the accuracy of student grades is critical both to the student and to the University Client. Thus, mistakes in data entry or grading can cause a student to fail the course and become ineligible to enter his/her college at KFU. Further, grade and/or data entry mistakes can cause irreparable damage to Shabaka Training’s reputation in the community and at the university.
FYI
Grade reports are due at the beginning of each week for the previous week.
Due to weekly student assessments, teachers are going to need to complete some grading and admin. tasks at home outside of university hours, especially on the weekends.
The university uses Blackboard for online teaching, the PYD uses a system called the PY Portal for Attendance, and we use moodle for course content and weekly tests. It’s a bit much, but we have no choice.
Grade and data entry mistakes on the quarterly King Faisal University Banner report will result in:
(a) Automatic Written Warning.
(b) Meeting with the Dean of the Prep Year Department.
(c) Possible loss of certain benefits (for example, paid days off during the Academic Calendar year).
The Dean of the PYD approves or denies paid and unpaid leave. Thus, it’s up to his discretion.
Team Leaders are responsible for the final KFU Banner grade report for each of their team members and will be subject to the same consequences as outlined above.
We only have four days of instruction each week.
Shabaka has a strong Admin. Department that strives to handle as much of the grading and reporting for teachers as possible.
Shabaka strives to support the teachers by providing a strong system (always improving and evolving) of checks and balances to try to prevent grading and data entry errors.
13. Do I have to follow a set curriculum?
13. Do I have to follow a set curriculum?
Per the university client, that would be a yes.
We teach four 50 minutes sessions each day from Sunday to Wednesday. We’re expected to teach the entire 50 minutes; no letting out early and no allowing study of other subjects like Math. We use the Academic Progress textbooks (two books, GCC edition): Reading and Writing, and Listening and Speaking.
We are required to cover one unit (chapter) per week, assign some homework, and proctor the Thursday morning tests at the end of each week. The tests are created by our Academic team in conjunction with the Test / Exam Committee, and copies are waiting for you to pick up on Thursday morning. We also have a Midterm exam and a Final exam. As long as you prepare your students for the tests and exams, you have some room for creativity within your class, and we encourage you to introduce new ideas and outside material, especially technology.
Our mandate from the university also includes teaching and enforcing punctuality, academic honesty, discipline, and study habits. The PYD requires all students to arrive on time; five minutes late is marked absent. The PYD requires all male students to carry a book bag with the English text books, notebook, binder, pencils, pens, sharpener and eraser. If male students fail to bring their book bag with all the necessary tools, they aren’t allowed to enter the class. Further, all students are given daily mandatory Homework assignments each week.
The Dean of the PYD expects consistent grading using standard rubrics and answer keys. We cross grade and cross proctor all tests and exams. This is designed to strive for fair and consistent grading for all students. Individual teachers may not give bonus points to students on any graded test, exam, homework, or assignment without the permission of the Dean of the PYD.
Finally, if any student fails one of the weekly Academic Progress test, he / she is encouraged to attend Study Hall on Wednesday afternoon. Many of our teachers stay late on Wednesdays to help students in the Study Hall.
FYI
Our program is highly structured and you’re expected to closely follow the teaching system.
You are expected to write Language Objectives (S.W.B.A.T.), the Grammar point, and the Vocabulary words for the unit on the whiteboard prior to each two period block of classes.
Teachers are expected to do some prep work outside of work hours. Most serious teachers spend 1-2 hours each evening preparing their lessons.
We have two office hours each day. Teachers must be present and available to meet with students, attend to admin. duties, and prepare lessons.
We usually have a quarterly Shabaka meeting every 8 weeks, a weekly module meeting every Thursday, and a teacher training workshop once a month.
Within the system, you can bring your own ideas, experience, and creativity to your classroom.
Shabaka teacher training and collaborative meetings are very supportive and will help you become a more effective teacher.
All mandatory Homework / Assignments, Weekly North Tests, Midterm Exams and Final Exams are prepared and copies are made for you.
The weekly study hall means extra teaching pay for any teachers that are interested (it is not mandatory for teachers to participate).
14. Do I have to share an apartment?
14. Do I have to share an apartment?
That would be a No, as we don’t want our teachers to kill each other. You will be assigned your own non-shared apartment.
The compound is basically like an apartment complex with a guard gate at the entrance and high walls surrounding the perimeter. The apartments are fully furnished. The apartments include one bedroom, bathroom, and living room with kitchen. The cooking facilities are adequate. The A/C generally works properly. A recreation center with swimming pool, gym, meeting area, big screen TV, and laundry room has recently been completed. We are not permitted to change the locks on the apartment doors or do any alterations to the apartments.
FYI
The compound is not nearly as luxurious or well outfitted as some of the Aramco or British Aerospace compounds in Saudi Arabia.
You can expect maybe 3-4 star accommodation, not fancy villas.
Buildings 1-6 are over 10 years old and starting to show their age.
Due to the scope and pressure of his job, the Compound manager might not always be warm, friendly, and fuzzy.
Shabaka holds a damage/cleaning deposit of 500 SAR which is returned to the teacher at the end of the contract upon a final apartment inspection.
We try our best, but it’s very difficult to find good/experienced Plumbing and Electrical repair technicians in Hofuf.
Shabaka must rely on third parties for more complicated maintenance and repair. There may be delays in getting issues resolved.
Sometimes repairs are not done properly and we have to get the Plumbing, Electrical or A/C company to return and follow up a second or even third time.
Even though we require the previous occupant of an apartment to clean before they leave, some newly arriving teachers may be disappointed with the level of cleanliness.
It is the new teacher’s responsibility to clean the apartment to their own individual standard.
There may be some basic utensils and cooking pots and pans leftover from the previous occupant. However, it is the teacher’s responsibility to purchase anything else needed for the apartment including replacing any of the previous utensils and cooking apparatus.
Teachers are responsible for any bedding and bath supplies. The compound is not a hotel.
Wireless internet is available through local providers, and has improved significantly over the last two years.
We have satellite TV, but it’s mostly Arabic and there are periodic technical problems.
Like any apartment complex in North America, Shabaka reserves the right to inspect your unit periodically for maintenance and cleanliness issues.
If we find your unit unusually unclean, we will charge you a cleaning fee.
A/C and lights must be turned off during the day while at work.
The apartments are strictly NO SMOKING.
The compound does not allow any new pets. So for new teachers, no pets are allowed.
Shabaka is nearing completion of a brand new, Female only building.
We’ve been refurbishing the original Buildings 1-6 and they’re now up to code. Building 7 is newer with a bit more modern enmities, and Building 9 was just completed this past year.
The Compound is in the city within safe walking distance to many amenities and shopping outlets.
The compound is safe, fairly comfortable, and usually quiet.
In addition to the private security company, the compound is very near the Saudi National Guard, Special Police Forces, and Paramilitary Forces.
One of our teachers serves as Compound Manager and is on site 24/7 to help with maintenance issues.
The Compound Manager is fair, but firm.
The teachers have created a nice social community and there are periodic BBQs, Potlucks, and Thanksgiving and Christmas parties.
The swimming pool is large and you can swim laps or relax by the pool.
We have a large BBQ grill for everyone’s use.
There’s a small football/soccer field on the compound with night lights.
The compound is within walking distance (less than one kilometer) to Al-Othaim Mall (food court and grocery store), main bank, small convenience store, restaurants, hair cutters, vegetable market, Tahweel Al-Rajhi transfer bank, and a pharmacy.
One car per family/individual is allowed to park on the compound. If you own more than one vehicle, you are welcome to use the lot outside of the compound wall and in direct view of our compound security team.
15. How’s the internet connection?
15. How’s the internet connection?
There are three local providers: ZAIN, Mobily, and STC. Packages are available for your mobile phone or home router. Many teachers have their own WIFI service in their apartments.
FYI
Internet speeds in Saudi Arabia are up to western or some Asian standards, 5G is widely available.
The public WIFI connection on the compound is adequate for getting an email out, but can’t be relied on for downloading or streaming.
Internet speed has improved significantly in recent years.
Now most teachers can stream Netflix and download sports etc.
You can get a reasonably priced package with a local provider, about $40 USD.
Teachers on the Work Visit Visa can still obtain an internet package.
16. How do I get paid?
16. How do I get paid?
We understand that you didn’t sign up for volunteer work in Saudi Arabia, so Shabaka will pay you in one of three ways:
a) by check which can be cashed locally at the Riyadh Bank.
b) by International bank transfer to your home bank.
c) by Direct deposit for teachers with Saudi residency cards.
FYI
Teachers on Work Visit visas are not eligible to open a local bank account.
Riyadh bank cannot transfer to any offshore or obscure accounts.
Teacher salaries are usually paid on time by the 5th of each month, but there could be times when unforeseen circumstances can cause direct deposits to be a bit late or transfers to not go through. In that event, Shabaka can issue checks until the deposit or transfer is straightened out. Teachers need to remain calm, patient, and not start panicking.
International transfers to your home bank work well for most teachers.
Shabaka has a 12 year track record of coming through with all payments to teachers including salary, bonus, and any reimbursements.
17. Conclusion: Can I do it?
17. Conclusion: Can I do it?
If you want to travel and experience a different culture, here’s your opportunity. KSA may be the most different culture from the west possible and still be on planet Earth. Please ask questions, do research, and ask yourself three key questions:
1. Can I maintain a positive attitude for 10 months in a very different culture?
2. Do I love working with teenagers? Do I have the patience and energy that they require?
3. Can I follow a structured “team teaching” system with a fair amount of Admin. work including some night and weekend work?
4. Can I live on a compound and get along with my colleagues for 10 months?
FYI
If you prefer a more independent and autonomous teaching experience, you might feel a bit of pressure here to follow the system.
If you’re more comfortable in a loosely run environment with little or no accountability, you might feel a bit of pressure to perform.
If you are a very sensitive personality that doesn’t take feedback well, we may not be a good fit (nothing personal).
The students are mostly respectful and polite.
Bahrain is about three hours by car for weekend getaways. There you will find western style bars, restaurants, malls, and cinemas.
We are usually afforded a long weekend in between quarters every 8-9 weeks, and there are two longer paid breaks in January and May.
Most of the local people are warm, friendly, and welcoming.
The sponsors are honest people who will honor the contract.
You can save money and go on some nice holidays.
Saudi Arabia university teaching experience looks good on your resume.
You will probably improve as a teacher by adopting the teaching system and attending workshops throughout the year.
BOTTOM LINE
Culture shock can be difficult here. We need people who can stay positive, who are adaptable, who are extremely patient and can manage all sorts of adversity. After reading this, you should now know exactly what’s expected of this teaching job.
Please do not sign a contract if you are in any way uncomfortable with the accommodations, management, professional expectations, amount of Admin. duties, and teaching system.
If we’re not right for each other, let’s not force a marriage. It’s not personal, but some people and programs are just not compatible.
If, on the other hand, you have a positive attitude, you like to teach in a system, don’t mind being held accountable, and are a serious and motivated teacher, then we’d like you to join our team and help us further develop and improve our program.
Thank you!
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