INTERLINK Language Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

[Admin-06]

Saudi INTERLINK Language Centers
Al Yamamah University
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Two ESL Faculty Positions for Men and Women
Starting September and November 2010 and February 2011

Background
With separate campuses for men and women, Al Yamamah University (YU) offers undergraduate degrees in Business Administration, Computing and IT as well as Executive MBA programs. English being the medium of instruction, an intensive English language program is provided by Saudi INTERLINK Language Center (SILC) during the foundation year to prepare students for their academic studies. SILC’s other constituencies are: businesses and government agencies whose personnel need tailored, short-term programs for special purposes; K-12 schools needing teachers trainer and teachers; and persons in the larger community wishing to improve their English language skills for personal, professional, and study abroad purposes. The INTERLINK Al Yamamah partnership is also aimed at increasing international understanding and educational exchanges between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and North America.
Due to their shared values and educational philosophies of student-centeredness and innovative experiential and project-based curricula, both institutions have been growing steadily; they have been recognized for their quality of instruction, service orientation, customer satisfaction, and focus on student success. Gaining in reputation for quality instruction and client-focused services, both institutions are sought by many in both the private sector and governmental agencies.
Minimum Qualifications
The candidates for these positions must:

o Be able to commit to a two-year contract
o Be committed to students, the profession and to a learner-centered and humanistic teaching philosophy espoused by INTERLINK and Al Yamamah University
o Have MA in TESL/TEFL, Applied Linguistics or in Education with TESOL specialization (Online degrees without an on-campus, residential component and TESL certificates of less than a year duration are not accepted). Regardless of the field of specialization, using the US educational system as a model/example, at least 21 credit hours of the MA program must be in second language acquisition, methods of teaching languages, applied linguistics, cross-cultural communication, and supervised practicum.
o Have ESL/EFL teaching experience with adult learners (minimum three years)
o Have at least one year of teaching and living experience in another culture
o Be creative and flexible in order to adapt to an experiential, project- and needs-based approach to teaching
o Be sensitive to cultural differences (able to adapt to a way of life requiring understanding, conformity and flexibility)
o Be 55 years of age or younger (owing to the government’s mandatory retirement regulations)
Non-native speakers must:
o Have near-native proficiency in English
o Have at least one of their higher education degrees from an English-speaking country
o Have at least one year of ESL teaching experience in a country other than one’s own, preferably in an English-speaking/Western country.
Preference will be given to those who are fluent in other languages and have Peace Corps or other humanitarian volunteer/service/work experience.

Responsibilities

o 23 hours of weekly instruction
o Administrative duties including record keeping and report writing
o Participation in program activities (training, orientation, workshops, testing and placement, etc)
o Participation in meetings (with students, faculty, parents, and others on and off campus)
o Keeping office hours to advise/ counsel students who may need extra help
o Serving on committees, participating in on- and off-campus activities and events

Salary, Benefits and Terms

o $37,000 - $40,000 salary per annum
o Round-trip transportation to and from Saudi Arabia
o Furnished housing
o Full medical insurance coverage
o 45-day paid annual leave with international transportation and 20 days of local holidays
o Local transportation to and from the University
o 5% end-of-service bonus for each year of completed contract
o Annual salary increases of up to 5%, with a maximum salary ceiling of $45,000.
o A minimum of two-year contract commitment required.

Application Procedure

o Learn more about SILC by visiting http://www.INTERLINK.edu and http://www.yu.edu.sa
o Send resume and cover letter to SILCsearch@interlink.edu . In your cover letter, please
a) provide a brief summary of your educational philosophy, your reasons for wanting to join SILC, and the dates of your availability;
b) provide a list of TESL-related graduate level courses that you have taken; and

c) indicate “SILC Application,” followed by your last name and then first name in the SUBJECT area of your e-mail; example: SILC Application – Johnson Bob.

Applicants following the procedure and meeting requirements will be contacted within two days. Qualified applicants who do not hear from us are asked to resend their application materials as the materials may not have been received.

NB: Applicants from non-English speaking countries may apply, but they must meet the requirements listed above. Applicants not following the application procedure will not be acknowledged

Updated July 13, 2010