English Language Instructor International Company for Education and Advanced Training (ICEAT)

Job posting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia here

The working day and work week is standard. 4 hours of office work is what you are supposed to do. I know a few teachers who worked at this university previously. The bottom line is that you are supposed to be in your office. However, you can do errands, go out for lunch or for a coffee during this time.

Additional cover duty was an issue. The teachers I knew complained about this a lot. Cover duty was on a rotational basis. Since there were 180 teachers on the payroll, teachers were scheduled to work 7:30 am - 5:30 pm about once a month. However, when a teacher did not show up for cover duty, another teacher was called in to cover for the cover teacher! Worse, the teachers that did not show up for cover duty received no warnings, no pay deduction, not even a stern talking to. Just something to keep in mind if you are thinking about joining this 'team.'

A great classroom environment? Could've changed in the last year or two. Teachers complained there were no whiteboards in their room, let alone projectors, or working computers. If the technology was in the classroom, there were technical difficulties or were not functioning altogether.

Cleaning crews rarely cleaned the rooms adequately. Trash being taken out and white boards being cleaned were never done. Rooms were never vacuumed. 

Student Background section is completely misleading.

They are not the best students you would find in Saudi Arabia. The really wealthy and smart kids study abroad. So what you've got are the bottom of the barrel. If these students really worked hard and wanted to make the most of their academic opportunities, they would've studied English more, paid for a tutor and passed the proficiency exam to allow them to study at the real campus of KSU.

These students are not motivated at all. They are not excellent in picking up the language. If they were, they would not be in the PYP.

A summarization of their behavior:

Rampant cheating during exams; talking nonstop in Arabic; lethargic and unmotivated to learn English.

Classroom management is a mountain for teachers to climb there.

 Compensation:

Salary is good to average, but nice to see they provide round trip airfare for you and 3 dependents.

End of service indemnity is pay for completion of the contract. Usually calculated at number of days worked. Somewhat less than  a full month's salary.

30 days paid vacation is nice in addition to the university approved holidays.

Verdict: only for the desperate.

KSU is a place only for the desperate. Ask yourself how badly you need the money. Remember you'll be working in Riyadh, not Jeddah, and not even closer to the Eastern Province where Damam is bearable if you can venture there. Riyadh is a giant dustbowl with not much to do if you aren't Muslim. Walking around the malls and getting drunk on the illegal hooch at the compounds is not very good for your health, physically or mentally. There are desert trips you can sign up for, but of course, it all depends if you like that sort of thing. Embassy parties are once a month, so you can Embassy hop to the different ones to get your drink on. Other than that, there's not much to do. Groundhog Day for 11 months? Can you handle it?  If so, then you will save money, but you have to weigh that against the boredom you'll experience.

This employer took my friends' passports two years ago. Most likely they continue doing that as is the unofficial custom of employers in Saudi. So that means no weekend trips to Bahrain for a booze fest on a whim. You'll have to apply to your employer to access your passport at least a week in advance to get an exit visa. All very much a very big pain.

If you have a Masters in English, Linguistics, Modern Languages or Education, look elsewhere. You can get more money and better benefits in Saudi. Or choose the UAE where it's still boring but they allow accessibility to booze, dancing, looking at hot girls wearing more Western style clothing. With an MA you can work in the universities in the UAE. Some very cush jobs available.