Teaching English in Bahrain

I've moved

david@eltworld.net (David) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:42:00 +0000

Hi all, thanks for dropping by. To make things easier, I've decided to merge some of my blogs, which, including this one, can now be found at ELT World. I've been getting off my backsides and writing recently, so come over to the new URL and leave lots of lovely comments.

Classic Articles: In Search of the A Word: Can Ambition survive in TEFL?

david@eltworld.net (David) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:48:00 +0000

In celebration of the imminent release of the fifth edition of Horizons Journal, I've decided to revisit some of the classic articles from the first four issues. In this article, I question whether or not ambition can exist in our profession with the help of members of the ELT World forums:

Many native speakers in our profession are children of the 60s and 70s, the decades when, my students kindly inform me, old people were born. Consequently, many of us remember the decade that followed, when pop stars wore gold suits and politician's names entered dictionaries with the creation of new words such as reaganomics and thatcherite. This decade of Texas oil barons and shoulder pads had a great influence on those of a certain generation, and particularly it seems for those in our profession, in our ability to identify with the A word. Search for it in the body of literature surrounding ELT, I promise you, it's hard to find. Look for it on teaching forums; you'll be hard pressed to find anyone raising the issue. Indeed, one of the few places you will find mention of the word ambition is in job ads, such as those for the enticingly bird flu free schools in South East Asia. So, why is it so difficult to find mention of the word ambition in our profession, and what exactly do those non-life threatening languages schools in China and elsewhere really want when they ask for dynamic, ambitious teachers? Putting images of Simon Le Bon on a yacht singing 'her name is Rio' aside for a minute, there are several very good reasons why mention of the A word remains so elusive in our profession today.

In at the deep end

Firstly, we must consider the bizarre nature of certain aspects of our profession. Very few, perhaps no other, professions deliver such a baptism of fire as ours offers. Consider the path of entry for native speakers, most of whom have an incredible amount to deal with in their first few weeks on the job. In most industries, despite the forces of globalisation greatly changing the nature of work in the twenty-first century, the experienced professional throughout any number of disciplines, ten to fifteen years into their career, will embark on a post in some foreign clime, by which time they will know their jobs inside out, have developed a level of confidence in their ability, may well take family as a further support system, and, given they will be arriving to fulfill a high level position in their organisation, will have neither financial worries nor as many feelings about being stranded alone in a strange land. Contrast this with the experience of the ELT professional: the first day on the job will, in many cases, be in a country likely to be completely alien, furthermore during this period of adjustment the new teacher will be getting their first ever experience of being in the position of teacher, daunting enough without the effects of culture shock. Ally this to factors such as financial insecurities, linguistic difficulties and little in the way of emotional support and it is easy to see why the start of our careers is so traumatic. This must have some influence on the ambitions of those taking their first steps into the world of English teaching.

Running to standstill?

Another way in which our profession works in contrast to many others can be made obvious by comparing it to just about any other. I think back to a friend of mine who started working part-time at the local supermarket when he was sixteen. After several years, he had worked his way up from lowly shelf stacker to assistant manager, and to a position in Eastern Europe overseeing the acquisition of a Hungarian supermarket. Along the way, he developed a wide range of skills and steadily progressed, having a satisfying career full of upward mobility. What he didn't do was spend many years looking at every aspect of shelf stacking to become as good and accomplished a shelf stacker as he could be. So, along with an overseas position only coming after serving many years in his profession, there was always a sense of upward movement in his career. As teachers, we do the opposite; we spend a large part of our career progression trying to get better at the same job that we had when we first entered. Whichever way we look at it, this lack of tangible progression has some effect on the teacher's ability to show ambition. We work very hard in a lot of cases to stay at what could be considered the bottom rung of the ladder. Professional development is an admirable thing, and our profession is all the better for it. Are we, however, thinking about ourselves when we broaden our abilities to deliver in the class room? Are we satisfying our own needs when we embark on training courses? Are we thinking about our own careers and futures? Are we really able to perceive ourselves as ambitious individuals simply because we devote time to enhancing our abilities to teach?

Admitting we have ambition

Another good reason why ambition is hard to track down is this perception of the A word amongst us ELT professionals. Consider the following and see how familiar it sounds; whenever I ask colleagues whether they would consider themselves ambitious, I'm often met with a response such as this, 'I don't know if I'd call myself ambitious but...' which is often followed with some justification about achieving personal satisfaction or self actualisation. It feels sometimes like we're frightened to admit that we want to achieve anything for ourselves, almost as though it were a character flaw. Of course, there is undoubtedly a good reason for this, although there is even less doubt that the reason is a source of great debate. Several possible causes spring to mind. Firstly, we must think about what kind of people enter language teaching to begin with. Could we describe ourselves as money driven go-getters with a desire to succeed or be damned? It doesn't really sound right, does it? Maybe we don't possess what traditionally would be viewed as the need to succeed, the need for money, power and possessions. This argument in itself seems too simplistic, and other external issues must surely come into play. An infamous article in Britain's Telegraph newspaper a couple of years ago highlighted, in graphic detail, the horrors that we face in terms of mistreatment by employers and the low income positions we are forced to endure. After years of poor treatment and living in the gutter, the ELT Professional is conditioned into seeing low self-esteem as an inescapable part of their lives. Sadly, I think we all know true life cases that exemplify this symptom of the language teaching industry. After all these downtrodden experiences resulting from time spent teaching English, can any ambitious individual retain their desire? When we can so easily think of people we know who seem caught in a cycle of low paying jobs, who are scared to return to their home country in case they find out just how badly off they are, can we really consider this a profession in which a meaningful career can be had, or just an industry that some of us adventurous, free-spirited souls were unlucky enough to get caught up in?

The industry vs. the profession

Let's examine that word industry. The late great Sir Alec Guinness once famously commented, upon returning to the stage after a spell in Hollywood, how nice it was to get back to the acting profession after spending some time in the industry. The contrast between the two factions is as strong in our chosen field as it was for old Ben Kenobi, and the difference between the two sides also has a great influence on ambition. Many of us work in private language schools and are constantly aware of the need to get the punters in. Perhaps we also use course books chosen because the incentive offered by the publisher was too good to turn down. Of course, there are any number of reputable, professional schools out there, but these two brief examples illustrate where the a lot of main priorities lie for a large number of language instruction providing institutions, and itâ€™s not always with the aspirations of their teaching staff. Furthermore, as many of us start out in such work environments, we come face to face with the realities of the TEFL industry almost immediately. Naturally, language teaching is not alone in experiencing such issues but it does explain why the job can become so dispiriting to so many. Furthermore, English teaching shares characteristics with other jobs which are seen as not offering careers for the ambitious amongst us. Few people embark on a career in hospitality or food service, for example, if they want to get on in life. The hospitality industry is renowned for factors such as labour intensivity, high staff turnover and poor pay and working conditions due to issues such as a lack of trade union representation or professional support. Ring any bells? The stranger in a strange land factor mentioned previously goes to compound the problem; people entering the profession aren't only being offered poor pay and dubious contracts from employers, they're entering these situations alone and far away from home. How many ambitious and dynamic individuals are being lost from an industry that is increasingly efficiently run, based around profits first and foremost?

Summing up

So, what are we to do? We can't fundamentally change the nature of the job: we're teachers and we'll remain teachers, unless we choose to branch out into different areas of the profession such as becoming course book writers or regulars on the conference circuit. It's more than likely that to meet our ambitions as teachers, we need to become teachers plus. Secondly, we need to admit to ourselves that it's OK to be an ambitious person and that this doesn't necessarily have to have negative connotations. Furthermore, we must accept that it's not OK to live in poverty and be mistreated by employers, this is the area in which we can increasingly take control of ELT. Think about it, if you can get a job without any qualifications or experience, is it likely to be a good job? If you're serious about doing this for a living, should you even consider taking such employment? In the past it wasn't always easy to uncover information regarding overseas employers, although if someone is prepared to give you a job without you having undertaken any training, they're just as likely not to care about treating you well, as there is always someone else waiting to take your place. There are even less excuses with the existence of job discussion forums such as that at the ELT World website, where you can find out what you're getting yourselves into by reading about others' experiences and asking questions. Blogs are another way of finding out what you are likely to be faced with if you move abroad to teach. I'm a huge supporter of teaching blogs and regularly feature them at ELT World. They will become an ever more effective way of planning for the extreme culture shock that TEFLers face when they move to a new country. Also, blogs such as The TEFL Trade (tefltrade.blog-city.com) and websites like TEFL Daddy (tefldaddy.com) and TEFL Watch (teflwatch.org) provide invaluable information on how to avoid an early departure from what many of us believe to be a rewarding career. More than ever, there's little reason not to come into our profession without ambition. I feel that I've barely scratched the surface of this issue and wish to invite you all to share your thoughts on this matter.

The 'TESOL Course' for Dummies

david@eltworld.net (David) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:49:00 +0000

Practical advice from Clint Johnson

If you are planning to become a teacher abroad, you are likely to need the internationally recognized tesol certificate; this acknowledged diploma course may actually provide you with all the necessary knowledge in order to become a good English teacher to people who do not have English as their native language.

The tesol course was mainly designed in order to teach you about the basic approaches when it comes to teaching English abroad; the prime teaching methods will also be learned and even the learning techniques will be emphasized by every course that is interested in providing people with the necessary knowledge.

The course is to be attended in order for you to become able to teach this language in an effective manner when in front of a foreign class. The foreign pupils are going to be quite challenging to your English knowledge; therefore, you will have to rely only on the most effective techniques in order to make sure you manage to be a good teacher.

By accessing tesolonline.com, you will become fully aware that teaching can be very challenging especially when it comes to different pupil profiles. Every future student will come with a different profile in front of you and you will have to deal with dissimilar requirements; therefore, the tesol course is to be attended in order to make sure you are going to deal with these challenges in a successful manner without making mistakes or failing.

The entire tesol course is designed in order to teach you how to deal with pupils who are not English and who spoke this language as their second one. By attending this course and managing to get your final certificate, you will add some extra value to your current worth and you will be regarded in a whole different manner when applying for a teacher job abroad.

This certification is highly needed when it comes to teaching English abroad and many countries require its existence in order to allow you to teach there. The certification is also to be regarded as a genuine method to secure your present or future job because the training program that you have attended is highly effective.

For instance, you will be bale to learn more about the necessary and systematic lesson plans. You will learn everything about the effective management of every type of classroom; you will be trained in order to apply the most efficient teaching techniques in order to become a successful teacher abroad.

The tesol certificate will ensure your future teaching jobs because you will be provided with all the necessary and fundamental knowledge. The grammar and language skills will thus be strengthened and you will achieve all the necessary teaching skills before facing a real class of pupils.

About the Author

The tesol certificate is the main tool in order to secure your teacher position because the tesol course guarantees for your proficiency in English.

What are local customs like in Bahrain?

david@eltworld.net (David) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:01:00 +0000

Many Arab customs are extremely different from those in the west, and you should be aware of what you’re expected to do and not to do.

Although Arabs are understanding and unlikely to take offence at social blunders, provided they arise from ignorance rather than malice, you will be made far more welcome if you acquaint yourself with local ways of doing things. It’s important to remember that you’re a foreigner and you must therefore adapt to the customs and social behaviour of the region – not the other way round. In addition to actions and behaviour which are regarded as criminal, there are certain unwritten rules that you must observe in order not to offend local sensibilities.

Dress

There are two distinct types of women’s clothing in the region: one for locals, the other for expatriates. Outside the home, most Arab women dress according to religious custom, which means that they must cover most of the body, from head to foot. The traditional black overgarment ( abaya) is ankle length with long sleeves and a high neckline, and the hair is covered. Some Arab women are totally covered, including their face and hands, especially Saudis and those with strictly religious husbands. This is meant to protect women protection from unwanted attention, and in Saudi Arabia even foreign women must wear an abaya outside the home; the relgious police will stop any woman who has her head uncovered and direct her to cover her hair immediately. In the other states, foreign women may wear western clothes but should always dress conservatively.

The region’s hot climate and customs call for informal but smart dressing. Arabs frown on clothes which reveal the shoulders, arms and legs, and any woman dressing provocatively will be regarded as being of ‘easy virtue’ or perhaps even as a prostitute. In the home, however, when not entertaining close friends or relatives, Arab women often adopt western dress, particularly younger women, and there are no restrictions on the way foreign women may dress in private.

Arab men wear the thobe, a loose, ankle-length robe made from fine white cotton (or heavier woollen material in winter). There are different styles of thobe, both in the cut of the cloth and in the fastenings at the neck and front. Perhaps the most distinctive are those worn by the Omanis, which sport a tassel. The thobe can be worn for all occasions, either social or business. An outer cloak, the bisht, is worn on formal occasions and can be very costly, with border embroidery in gold thread and the material itself of the finest quality.

The traditional, distinctive head covering is the guthra, a white or red and white checkered cloth held in place by the agal, a black ‘rope’ which was originally a camel tether. There are different types of agal: for example, Qataris normally wear a more African-style headdress, with two long ‘tails’ reaching down the back. Arab men sometimes wear casual dress on very informal occasions or at the beach, but Saudi men are strongly encouraged to wear national dress at all times.

Obviously, foreign men aren’t expected to wear Arab garments, and western dress is the norm. Men should avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts in the street, as is these are regarded as excessively casual, although with the development of tourism, this attitude is softening. However, suits are rarely worn in the Gulf, except for important business meetings and related social events. Standard wear in the office is a shirt (usually long-sleeved), tie and lightweight trousers.

Terms of Addressing People

Arabs generally value civility highly, and it’s important that you greet (and part from) local people in the correct way. The use of Arab names can be confusing for newcomers to the region. For example, a man might be called Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Jishi. Abdullah is his given name and he’s the son or grandson of (bin) Abdul Aziz; Al-Jishi is the family or tribal name. To make matters even more complicated, given names are often abbreviated: for example, Mohammed can be shortened to Mohd, Hamad or Hamed. It’s important to use the full name, however, particularly on formal occasions and in correspondence. Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Jishi should never be called Abdullah (let alone the diminutive Abdul), although the patronymic may be omitted and he can be addressed as Abdullah Al-Jishi.

The general formal address is ‘Sayyed’ (‘Sir’) for a man or ‘Sayeeda’ (or ‘Sayedity’) for a woman, followed by the person’s full name. Arab women can be addressed as ‘Madame’.

Rulers are usually addressed as ‘Your Highness’ (‘Your Majesty’ in the case of the King of Saudi Arabia). Senior members of ruling families are called ‘Your Excellency’ followed by ‘Sheikh’ (pronounced ‘shake’ and not ‘sheek’) and their full name. Government ministers of the ruling line are ‘Your Excellency, Minister of . . .’ and other ministers simply ‘Your Excellency’ followed by the full name. Lesser members of ruling families and those in religious authority are addressed as ‘Sheikh’ followed by their full name. In Saudi Arabia, the title has somewhat less significance and is also being used by powerful members of the business community. The conventions for addressing rulers and members of ruling families are complex, and you should always check locally before being introduced to any dignitaries.

Greetings

The most common greeting in the Gulf is Salam alaykum (‘Peace be upon you’), to which the correct reply is Wa alaykum as-salam (‘And upon you be peace’).

Note that tisbah ala-khayr, meaning ‘good night’, is said on parting, as in English, and the reply is wa inta min ahlu. You should always shake hands when greeting and parting from Arab men. In the case of Arab women, you should be guided by the woman’s behaviour: many Arab women won’t shake hands with non-Arab men, although educated women might. This is normal even with close friends whom you meet frequently. If the handshake you receive when leaving somebody is longer than the one you received when meeting him, it indicates that you’ve made a good impression. Incidentally, newcomers should note that refusals or protracted reluctance to meet people are frowned upon. Note also that you shouldn’t approach Arab women, look at them or talk to them unless you’ve been properly introduced.

After handshaking, it’s customary to enquire after the other person’s health and other matters, and you should expect similar enquiries to be directed at you. (Don’t enquire after the health of the female members of an Arab’s family, however, but restrict your questions to those regarding the family in general or the sons.) This can take a long time, as neither party wishes to be the one to draw matters to a close. Foreigners aren’t expected to know or use all the subtleties this ritual involves, but you will make a good impression if you learn at least some of the standard expressions and use them in the correct way. Whether in face-to-face conversation or speaking to people on the telephone, don’t talk business straight away; if you do so, Arabs will assume that you’re impatient or not interested in them personally.

Hands & Feet

You should accept refreshment whenever it’s offered, but note that you should always use your right hand for drinking and eating, as the left hand is regarded as unclean (as it’s used for ‘toilet purposes’). Similarly, you should avoid showing the soles of your shoes or feet, which implies that you think the other person is ‘dirt’, which is obviously highly offensive. You should therefore keep your feet flat on the ground and not cross your legs.
Invitations

If you’re invited to the home of an Arab, you should always accept. You should generally take every opportunity to become acquainted with local people and avoid the natural tendency to stay within the social and physical confines of your foreign ‘ghetto’. Your Arab host will be interested in you and your views. However, you should avoid politics and religion as subjects for discussion; your opinions might be regarded as ill-informed or even offensive, even if they seem acceptable to you from a western perspective.

When you enter the majlis, the reception room for visitors, you should always remove your footwear, unless the host indicates otherwise (you should therefore ensure that there are no holes in your socks!). If you’re with a female companion, she will be whisked off to join the women. You will almost certainly be offered something to drink and perhaps eat; accept the offer. Arabs are almost always polite and expect the same from those they meet, and believe that sharing a meal with a person positively affects the relationship.

The standard greeting is Ahlan wa sahlan – which means welcome - and this will become familiar to all who visit Bahrain. It’s certainly worth learning enough Arabic to communicate the pleasantries, greetings and responses of the country you’re living in. You will enjoy people’s reaction and your hosts invariably offer encouragement to those who attempt to speak their language. It’s important to note, however, that the Arabic language has a special significance, having been designed to carry the word of God, so it’s important to use it respectfully.

You should also never call at an Arab’s house without warning him that you’re coming. If the women of the family are present, this won’t be appreciated, particularly in Saudi Arabia. You should also avoid expressing admiration for any of your host’s possessions, as tradition dictates that he must then offer it to you. Although this tradition isn’t followed by everybody, it can nevertheless cause embarrassment. What’s more, the correct response is for the recipient to give an even more valued gift in return, so think twice before admiring an Arab’s Rolls Royce!

Other Dos and Don’ts

You should also heed the following warnings:

Don’t offer alcoholic drinks to an Arab, unless you’re certain that he drinks alcohol. This can cause great offence.
Don’t walk on a prayer mat or in front of any person at prayer and try not to stare at people who are praying.
Don’t try to enter a mosque without first asking permission. It’s unlikely that you will be allowed in.
In Saudi Arabia, don’t try to enter the Holy sites of the areas surrounding Mecca and Medina. The roads are well signposted to notify everybody of this restriction. If a non-Muslim is found within the prohibited areas, he’s likely to be assaulted and will be afforded no protection against the assailants.
Avoid blasphemy, particularly in the presence of Muslims and particularly in Saudi Arabia. Remember that there are many non-Gulf Arabs working in Bahrain, who aren’t always as relaxed or tolerant as locals are.
Avoid putting an Arab in a position where he might suffer a ‘loss of face’ in front of other Arabs. He will appreciate this, if he notices your action.
Don’t beckon to people with a finger, as this is considered particularly impolite. Arabs might use such a gesture to summon a dog.
Avoid shouting and displays of aggression or drunkenness at all times, as such behaviour is rarely tolerated.
During Ramadan, don’t eat, drink or smoke anywhere where you can be seen by Muslims during the hours of daylight and don’t engage in any noisy behaviour or embrace or kiss anyone in public.

Some tips about Islam

david@eltworld.net (David) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 07:57:00 +0000

Needless to say, Islam is the main religion in Bahrain, although the practice of other religions is permitted. Learning something about Islam and respecting its traditions and practices is important for all expatriates.

Note that followers of the Islamic faith are Muslims or Moslems, depending on the chosen spelling of the word. They aren’t to be called Mohammedans. For Muslims, Islam isn’t just a religion but a way of life that governs and guides their path through this world and the next. It’s an integral and pervasive part of all aspects of life. Public worship is viewed as more important than almost anything else, religious books and writings are found everywhere, and the phrase ‘In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful’ is found at the top of most correspondence.

Islam means ‘active submission to the will of God’. The religion teaches that Allah controls absolutely everything and, when making plans, you often hear the response ‘in sha Allah’ (‘God willing’). You will also hear ‘ La ilaha illa Allah, Mohammadun rasulu Allah’ (‘There’s no God but God, and Mohammed is his Prophet’). Mohammed was born in Mecca in around 571AD and began to receive revelations at the age of 40. Three years later, he started to preach and to challenge the local pagan religions. As a result, Mohammed and his followers – Muslims – had to flee to the town of Medina in 622AD. This exodus ( hejira) is regarded as the beginning of the Muslim age and is therefore year zero, the beginning of the Islamic calendar, in the same way as the date given for Christ’s birth is the beginning of the Christian calendar.

The Holy Koran (Qu’ran) is God’s word as revealed by the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Mohammed in Mecca and, along with other writings, it sets out rules for every aspect of life. Whereas the Christian Bible and the Jewish Torah consist of later writings of a number of individuals, the Koran is seen as the direct word of God. The God of Abraham is the one true God for all Christians and Jews, but Mohammed claimed that they altered their books and that the message of the Koran is the final truth.

The main point of disagreement with Christianity is that, while Muslims perceive and venerate Jesus as a prophet (second in stature only to Mohammed), they dispute his divinity. In the words of the Koran, ‘Neither was God born, nor did he give birth’. The Muslim believes that all people are born to Islam but are diverted to other religions, usually by their parents.

There are five ‘pillars’ of Islam:

Faith ( shahada): The first pillar is the profession of faith, which is the belief that ‘there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is the Prophet of God’.

Prayer ( salah or salat): The second pillar lays out the obligatory prayers to be performed by devout Muslims five times a day. As the sun rises for each new day, the faithful are called to prayer by a muezzin (or nowadays often by a tape recording) with the following declaration of faith, known as the ‘ Shahadah’: ‘God is most great. I testify that there is no God but Allah and that Mohammed is the Prophet of God. Come to the prayer. Come to the salvation. Prayer is better than sleep. God is most great. There is no God but God.’ Each phrase is repeated. (The reference to sleep is used only in the first call to prayer.) Prayer times are at dawn ( fajr), noon ( dhuhr), mid-afternoon ( asir), sunset ( maghreb) and nightfall ( isha). The times of the dawn and sunset prayers are traditionally the earliest and latest times at which you can see the difference between a black thread and a white thread, using only natural light. All newspapers publish the prayer times to be observed on that day. The duration of prayers varies with the prayer leader (Imam) but is usually between ten minutes and half an hour. You can pray anywhere, but Friday noon prayers must be performed in a mosque. Muslims wash before praying to show a willingness to be purified. Non-Muslims aren’t expected to do anything in particular during prayer times, although you shouldn’t watch or pass close in front of anyone who is praying or step on his prayer mat.

Charity ( zakat): The third pillar of the Muslim faith involves the (obligatory) donation of a 40th (i.e. 2.5 per cent) of the value of your assets annually – a sort of ‘alms tax’. Fortunately, this doesn’t apply to non-Muslims.

Fasting ( sawm): The fourth pillar concerns the Ramadan Fast, when Muslims must fast during the hours of daylight for the whole of this Holy month. The fast is an act of self-purification and a test of strength, patience and inner knowledge. Muslims must refrain from drinking, eating, smoking and all other physical pleasures, including sexual activity. Eid Al-Fitr (‘the big festival’), is the festival of the breaking of the fast, when the whole community celebrates, families visiting each other and children wearing new clothes. Non-Muslims usually join in and enjoy the fun. This is also an occasion for people to pay their respects to the ruler and any notable families that they do business with or are in regular contact with. Coffee and sweets are served, and the host and his family and friends are wished ‘ Eid mubarraq’ (‘congratulations on the occasion of the festival). The Eid Al-Fitr is also a time when people pay money or donate food to a charity called Sadaqah Al-Fitr, which provides food for the needy.

Pilgrimage ( Hajj or Haj): The fifth and final pillar of Islam declares that it’s incumbent on every Muslim who can afford it to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in his life. The reward for doing so is impressive: forgiveness for all sins. The Haj is an annual event, which takes place in the 12th month ( Dhul-Hijah) of the Muslim calendar. It’s a well-organised event, although such is the demand to make the pilgrimage that quotas have had to be enforced on each country.

Some branches of Islam insist that men shave their heads for the pilgrimage, and on arrival at Mecca all pilgrims must wear the ihram, a seamless white garment wrapped around the body and making the wearer indistinguishable as to class or status: all are equal before God. There are also many complex rituals to be observed. At the end of the Haj, the Eid Al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) is celebrated. According to Islam, the ‘sabbath’ or holy day is Friday ( Al-Juma), when shops and businesses are normally closed.

Muslim Sects

When Islam arrived in the seventh century, Christianity and Judaism had become riven by factions and disagreements. The new religion seemed to offer a pure alternative to both of them, without hierarchies and rituals and offering a direct relationship with God. This didn’t last for long, however. When the prophet died in 632AD with no sons, the succession was disputed by Abu Bakr (the father of Mohammed’s second wife, Aisha) and Ali (Mohammed’s cousin and the husband of his daughter, Fatima). Power was initially given to Abu Bakr, who became Mohammed’s successor. Ali agreed, albeit reluctantly. This fragile harmony was short-lived, ending when one of Abu Bakr’s successors was murdered. Ali reignited his claim to power and won the struggle for it, but he was assassinated in 661AD. Ali’s successor Hussein was defeated in 680 by the Umayyad dynasty, which came to prominence throughout most of the Muslim world and created the Sunni sect. Those who remained loyal to Ali’s descendents were called Shi’ites (or Shi’a Muslims).

The two sects still exist today, Sunnis being the more orhodox group and accounting for around 90 per cent of the world’s approximately 1 billion Muslims. Except in Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen, Sunnis are the majority in all Arab countries. They regard the Shi’ites as giving excessive importance to prayer leaders ( Imams), whom they regarded as a kind of divine intermediary of God – to an extent that’s almost sacriligious. Shi’a representation is also strong in Kuwait, the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, and Iran (which lays claim to Bahrain), and Shi’ites have gained notoriety because of the unrest caused by some of their followers, although the vast majority are peaceful and reasonable people. There are also sub-groups of each sect, further complicating matters. For example, two important Sunni sub-groups are the Wahhabis, who follow the the teaching of 18th century ‘reformer’ Ibn Abd Al-Wahhab and who have strong influence in Saudi Arabia, and the Ibadis, who are prevalent in Oman (as well as Algeria). Shi’a sub-groups include the Ithna-Asharis, the Ismailis and the Zeidis.

Middle Eastern Cuisine

david@eltworld.net (David) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:51:00 +0000

An article by Kirsten Hawkins

The food of the Middle East is a celebration of life. No matter which country, the staples are the fresh fruits and vegetables that grow in the hills. The spices and flavorings of Middle Eastern food are those that awaken the senses, sparkling against the thicker, richer tastes of the main ingredients. Mints, lemon, garlic, rosemary – all have a fresh, astringent quality that cleanses the palate and refreshes the taste buds. Throughout the region, the cuisine varies – but these things remain the same: fresh ingredients, astringent and piquant spices, olive oil, and little meat.

Lebanese

The tiny country – about the size of Connecticut – is nestled into the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, at the very crook of the fertile Crescent. Its contributions to the cuisine of the entire Middle Eastern region of the world are unmistakable. The flavors that spice the foods of all the surrounding lands can be found here in abundance – olive oil, lemon, garlic and mint. Lebanese cuisine features such staples as kibbeh (ground lamb with bulghur wheat) and tabouleh (parsley, mint and bulghur wheat salad). The food is simply prepared, with the flavors blending together into a complex medley of earthy, fruity tastes and scents.

Syrian

If Syria had contributed nothing else to the world cuisine but pita bread and hummus, it would still be worthy of note. There’s far more to the cuisine of this small Middle Eastern country, though. Baba ganoush (pureed eggplant), stuffed olives and figs, peppers in olive oil – Syrian food celebrates the fruits of the earth and blends them to bring out the textures and flavors in surprising ways. Shish kebab and rice pilaf are two of the more well-known dishes, and while most people think of Greece when they hear baklava, the Syrian claim that it is based on their own dessert of batwala.

Arabian

The Bedouin of the desert once based their diets on dates and yoghurt with the occasional camel or goat to provide meat. Over the centuries, the nomadic tribes incorporated spices, meats and vegetables from other cultures into their cuisine. Today’s Arabian cuisine is a mingling of influences from India, Lebanon and further west. Lamb is the meat most often used in cooking, and it is prepared in a number of ways including shish kebab, spit-roasted, or stewed. The cuisine relies heavily on mint, turmeric, saffron, garlic and sesame. Rice and kasha are the most commonly consumed grains, and the spicing is fresh and astringent – meant to awaken and refresh the palate rather than burn it out.

Throughout the Mediterranean Middle East, the cultures and people have intermingled and carried with them their foods and traditions of eating. In no other place in the world can there be found a blending of cultures that has mingled so much – yet maintained such distinct, national flavors. Healthful, fresh, delicious and life-enhancing, it’s little wonder that the cuisine of the Middle East is among the most popular with diners the world over.

About the Author

Kirsten Hawkins is a food and nutrition expert specializing the Mexican, Chinese, and Italian food. Visit http://www.food-and-nutrition.com/ for more information on cooking delicious and healthy meals.

The Bahraini Dinar and international transfers

david@eltworld.net (David) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:48:00 +0000

The Bahraini dinar (BD) is linked to the US$ and is therefore susceptible to the ups and downs of that currency. The Bahraini dinar (BD) is divided into 1,000 fils. Coins are of 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 fils. Bank notes are in denominations of 500 fils, BD1, 5, 10 and 20. The present exchange rate is $1 = BD0.3770 and currently £1 = BD0.6259. It’s wise to have some local currency when you arrive to cover small purchases and taxi fares, although you might well be met at the airport by your sponsor’s staff or your new colleagues.

Currency exchanges and banking facilities are available at most major airports and many are open 24 hours a day. Exchange rates, however, are unlikely to be favourable at these outlets. More competitive rates can be obtained from city-centre financial establishments. You should avoid changing money at your hotel, as hotel rates are probably the worst on offer.

Importing & Exporting Money

There are currently no restrictions on the import and export of funds into and out of Bahrain. Everyone holding a residence visa in Bahrain is allowed to open a bank account and to import and export funds, although it’s unusual for people to bring funds into the country. Accounts held overseas are of no interest to the fiscal administrations in any of the states. No declarations of currency are required when entering any of the territories, so travellers can move currencies in and out without restriction and in any form that they choose.

International bank transfers are an area of local expertise, as handling the outflow of money has been a lucrative industry in Bahrain for some years. The volume involved reflects the large number of expatriates who move to the region and who export the majority of their earnings to their home country. Many open offshore bank accounts to avoid income tax in their own countries.

All the retail banks will transfer money to any destination and in any currency. Many people find it convenient to use their own bank to transfer money overseas, but there are plenty of institutions offering this service, so shop around to obtain the best deal. The main variables involved in transferring funds overseas are the exchange rate offered by the different institutions and any commission charges. The rate quoted might look attractive, but if the combined charges are high, you might be better off elsewhere. At the receiving end, your own bank will undoubtedly make a charge too, depending on the amount involved. Some banks are greedier than others, and loyalty to long-standing customers seems to be a thing of the past.

Apart from banks, there are plenty of exchange companies operating in Bahrain, usually owned by the major trading families, who have long experience in the business and frequently give better rates than the banks. Different transfer systems are available, and the speed of transfer is the main determinant of the charge levied. The methods are postal, bank-to-bank, telex, telegraphic and SWIFT (or similar titles). Banks and exchange houses in Bahrain are generally competitive, speedy, accurate and reliable, but the efficiency of the transaction also depends on the institution involved at the receiving end. Electronic transfer is usually the quickest method, although long delays can occur if you’re sending funds in, for example, US$ to a GB£ account, and delays can also occur between different banking systems (e.g. if the banks have no reciprocal arrangement). It’s therefore simpler and quicker to send money between branches of the same bank or banks with close affiliations. You should monitor the charges being made at the various stages until the money arrives in your account and query any that you feel are unwarranted or excessive.

If you intend to send significant amounts of money abroad for business transactions, such as buying a property, ensure that you’re given the commercial rate of exchange. The tourist rate or standard rate that you see quoted in your newspaper or posted on the bank’s currency exchange board can be considerably bettered for large exchanges and transfers.

Another way to transfer money is to use a bank cheque or draft, which you can send yourself by registered mail or courier or which can be sent by bank-to-bank mail at a small additional cost. If, however, the cheque or draft is lost, stolen or goes astray for any reason, this can cause you a lot of administrative ‘hassle’. Personal cheques can be sent, although these are subject to delays in clearing. For example, a US$ personal cheque made out to a GB£ account will go from your UK bank to a New York clearing system before the funds finally return to your account, and this can take some time. It’s obviously essential to check that all the details shown on a cheque or draft are absolutely accurate.

Top 15 Tips For Shopping In The Middle East

david@eltworld.net (David) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 08:03:00 +0000

Advice from Nil Aykut.

1) First rule: Always bargain at the bazaars and Souks. Salesmen in carpet, jewelery and leather shops work on commission basis; so never accept the first or second offer. Sometimes you can even get up to 70% discount over the original price.

2) Try to judge the price by how much you would be willing to pay for it in your home country. Fix the price in your mind and stick to it. On the other hand, always keep in your mind the value of the local money. Try to think in the local currency; most items might sound cheap when converted to USD but might be very expensive for local people. So purchase like a local.

3) Most salesmen understand many languages, so do not discuss anything in front of them.

4) Use power of ‘No thank you!’: At least learn this phrase in the local language and use it when you are hassled. Smile and walk away.

5) Keep your own currency and credit cards out of sight. It is easier to haggle over a price with your ‘limited’ local currency.

6) Guides get commission over your purchases. If you are not satisfied with the price, try to come back on your free day and check the similar item at the other shops. So another golden rule: Have a free day for shopping!

7) The top touristy places such as Khan El-Khalili usually visited in Cairo tours or Grand Bazaar in Istanbul will have the most expensive prices. Find out the residential shopping areas for better bargains.

8) For items where quality is important try to find a fixed price shop. You may pay little more but the quality will be superior.

9) Haggling is necessary if you are buying high value items, such as gold and jewelery, but with low value goods it is not always worthwhile the time and effort.

10) Shops in Middle East prefer cash. If you pay with cash rather than a credit card, you should have more power for getting a good discount.

11) Always shop around. Never buy at the first shop; you can always come back. Shopkeepers will try to persuade you that they offer you the best value, but will not be offended when you say you want to look around and would come back.

12) When buying gold/silver bargain on the price per gram not the price per item.

13) Usually little grocery shops, coffee shops, supermarket chains will have fixed prices and bargaining is not accepted.

14) Shopkeepers will show great hospitality. They will tell that purchase is not necessary, they will invite you to their shop, offer you tea, coffee; at the end you’ll feel so ashamed to walk away without buying anything. Don’t fall into this trap.

15) If you are buying more than one item or shopping with a group, you can haggle for a greater discount.

About the Author

Nil Aykut is the Marketing Manager of Anatolia Tours & Travel Co. Anatolia Travels offer private and escorted tours to Morocco, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan & Greece. More information at http://www.anatoliatravels.com

Banks and where to Manage your Finances in Bahrain

david@eltworld.net (David) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:15:00 +0000

There’s no shortage of banks in the cities, towns and villages of the Bahrain. There are international, regional and local banks, all well financed, well regulated and well run. Although there have been one or two notorious banking scandals in the region, notably the closure of BICC bank, banks are generally solid and well supported, and both the regulation and finance exist to forestall major incidents in the future.

Banks fall into a number of categories. Some central banks operate as clearing banks as well as being the regulatory institution. There are also corporate or merchant banks, providing venture and investment capital for institutional investors. Investment banks extend their services to individual investors, notably ‘high net worth individuals’ interested in portfolio management. Finally, there are retail or ‘high street’ banks for the masses. There are no savings and loan banks or mutual building societies operating as banks in the region. The services offered in other countries by these organisations are undertaken by the ‘normal’ banks in Bahrain.

An interesting aspect of Middle Eastern banking that you’re unlikely to involve yourself with (unless you’re a Muslim) is Islamic banking. The teachings of Islam ban interest or usury, and Islamic banking involves the centralisation of funds within a bank. These resources are then used, for example, to fund a construction project or other type of investment, which in turn produces returns, which are then shared out in proportion to input.

As a working expatriate, you’re likely to open a standard current or deposit account with one of the many international banks found throughout the region. Banks such as Standard Chartered, Citibank, British Bank of the Middle East and others provide a reasonable service, bank charges are quite low and loan terms are competitive. (Banks are keen to attract customers and therefore eager to issue loans.) Banking in Bahrain has now become highly automated compares favourably with banking in other advanced countries.

Some banks offer drive-in services, although doing business quickly is unnatural to the temperament of the region. Others provide mobile banking facilities for outlying villages and remote areas. Large industrial complexes often have banks on site for the convenience of their workers and this is also the case with some civil service organisations such as police training centres.

If you have a complaint against a bank and cannot resolve it through the bank’s senior administration, the next course of action is to appeal to the Chamber of Commerce for advice, or perhaps the regulatory Central Bank; the civil court is your last recourse, but this is rarely necessary.
Opening Hours

There are variations in bank opening hours throughout the region. In general, banks are open from 8am to 1pm, Saturdays to Wednesdays, when many banks re-open in the afternoon from 4.30 to 6.30pm. On Thursdays, opening hours are usually 8am to noon, and banks (like other businesses) are closed on Fridays. Companies dealing in foreign exchange and money transfers usually work later in the evening, particularly those located in shopping malls and main shopping thoroughfares.

At major international airports, bank facilities are usually open 24 hours. Public holidays are observed by banks, which conform to the holiday periods set by the governing administrations for private sector companies.

The Variety of Arabic Dialects

david@eltworld.net (David) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:19:00 +0000

An article by Jacob Lumbroso

Arabic is closely related to Hebrew and Aramaic. The geographical reach of Arabic is connected to the Arabic conquests beginning in the 8th century CE. Modern Arabic has a variety of sub dialects and these various Arabic dialects are spoken throughout the Arab world. Standard Arabic is widely studied and known throughout the Islamic world.

The Arabic language has lent a number of words to languages spoken in Islamic countries or in those in which Islamic Caliphates once ruled (e.g. Spain). The Arabic language has also been the recipient of similar influences and has also borrowed words from other languages including Persian and Sanskrit.

In the Middle Ages, Arabic was the vehicle of culture, science, mathematics, poetry and philosophy. As a consequence many European languages such as Spanish and Portuguese have also borrowed numerous words from it. Even Sephardic Jewish communities of the medieval period living in Spain and throughout North Africa and in the present day Middle East spoke and wrote in Arabic.

As far as the term "Arabic" is concerned, it may refer to either literary Arabic or the localized varieties of Arabic often referred to as "colloquial Arabic."Literary written Arabic is generally regarded as the standard Arabic language. All other "Arabics" are viewed as mere dialects.

Literary Arabic generally refers to the language used in communication media across North Africa and the Middle East. It also refers to the language of the Q'uran. In contrast, "colloquial" Arabic refers to the regional varieties derived from Classical Arabic, which constitute the Arabic language as spoken in everyday settings.

Arabic dialects sometimes differ sufficiently to be mutually incomprehensible to each other, especially in pronunciation. These dialects are generally unwritten, although a certain amount of literature exists in many of them. Literary Arabic or classical Arabic is the official language of all Arab countries and is the only form of Arabic taught in schools at all stages.

When educated Arabs of different nationalities engage in conversation Literary Arabic may be used for communication sake.

Classical Arabic can be distinguished from Modern Standard Arabic. Classical Arabic is considered normative; modern authors attempt to follow the grammatical norms established by classical grammarians, and to use the vocabulary defined in Classical dictionaries.

The influence of Arabic has been most profound in Islamic countries. Arabic is a major source of vocabulary for Berber, Kurdish, Persian, Swahili, Urdu, Turkish, Malay Indonesian, and even Hindi in its colloquial variety

The major dialectical variations are as follows: Egyptian Arabic, Maghrebi Arabic (Algerian Arabic, Moroccan Arabic, Tunisian Arabic, Maltese and western Libyan Arabic), Levantine Arabic (Western Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian, western Jordanian and Cypriot Maronite Arabic),Iraqi Arabic (and Khuzestani Arabic) ,East Arabian Arabic (Eastern Saudi Arabia, Western Iraq, Eastern Syrian, Jordanian and parts of Oman), Gulf Arabic (Bahrain, Saudi Eastern Province, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, and Oman) Hassānīya (in Mauritania, Mali and western Sahara), Sudanese Arabic, Hijazi Arabic (western Saudi Arabia), Najdi Arabic (Najd region of central Saudi Arabia),and Yemeni Arabic (Yemen to southern Saudi Arabia).

About the Author

Jacob Lumbroso is a world traveler. He writes articles on history and languages for http://www.ultimatelanguagestore.com and has used Pimsleur courses to learn various languages.

Why Arabic Is Critical in Today's World

david@eltworld.net (David) — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:05:00 +0000

Analysis by Jacob Lumbroso

Learning Arabic is an extremely important skill in today's complicated world. The rise of oil prices and the ongoing political instability in the Middle East insures that Arabic speaking countries and particularly those that are oil producing are of tremendous importance.

Historically speaking, the importance of the Arabic language in the Islamic world is of course tied to it being the language of the Koran. Islamic conquests beginning in the 7th. Century CE carried the language beyond its original borders replacing the previous languages of the Middle East and North Africa.

Of course the Arabic language is important aside from the current economic and political issues simply because of the number of countries that speak it. Arabic is spoken by over one hundred and fifty million people throughout the world including the following countries and territories: Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Comoros Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Gaza Strip, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the West Bank, Western Sahara, the Yemen Arab Republic.

Arabic can open doors to employment in various industries such as in virtually any business related to oil and travel. With the ongoing war in Iraq, the military finds itself in desperate need of translators and interpreters. Intelligences serves like the CIA and the FBI still find themselves desperately behind in the translation of many documents. Consequently Arabic speakers are being paid high wages to fill these critical services.

For the employee involved in finance or oil exploration Arabic can be a critical asset. Studying the language to communicate with locals is certainly beneficial, but the ability to communicate with Arabic speaking companies affords the Arabic speaker a connection and edge in business that night otherwise be missed in English only conversations.

Studying Arabic is one step to joining the ranks of international business men and women oriented toward the growing market found in the expanding Arabic market. Arabic is one of the great languages of the world. Learning the language is becoming part of a world-class education. Arabic is spoken throughout the world in communities of Arabic émigrés.

Arabic is not an easy language to learn and there is no single method can insure that the proficiency will be achieved without investment of time. So it's important to vary your resources to insure that you maximize your language learning experience. Learning Arabic is one of the most complicated languages to learn for most English speakers given the fact that a non Latin script is used.

Choosing the right course is of course critical and that can make learning the language a relative cake walk or much more difficult.

About the Author

Jacob Lumbroso is an enthusiast for foreign languages, history, and foreign cultures. He writes articles on history and languages for http://www.usedpimsleur.com and has used Pimsleur courses to learn various languages.

How to open a bank account in Bahrain

david@eltworld.net (David) — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:21:00 +0000

The formalities involved in opening a bank account in Bahrain are quite stringent and involve a considerable amount of paperwork. It’s mandatory to have a residence visa, which demonstrates your right to be in the country. You also require a ‘ letter of no objection’ or a ‘ no objection certificate’ (NOC) from your employer. The employer’s letter needs to stipulate your salary, to show the amount that will regularly be paid into the bank. Some banks will ask to see your tenancy agreement to establish your residential address, and most will ask for a photocopy of your passport. You should take copies of all these documents, as well as identity photographs.

A worker’s dependants (e.g. wife and family) can open an account with his permission, as he’s in effect their sponsor. When moving to Bahrain to live and work, it’s unlikely that you will close your bank account at home, particularly if you still have payments to make to cover commitments in your home country. In order to limit your tax liabilities there, however, the funds going into home accounts should be kept to a minimum. It’s almost certain that you will also open an offshore bank account.
Current Accounts

Cash is preferred for everyday transactions in Bahrain, where people are generally suspicious of cheques. In fact, although utilities companies and other major service providers accept personal cheques for regular payments, these are most unlikely to be accepted by local retailers, as they carry no guarantee of payment, even though issuing a cheque without the necessary funds in your account is a criminal offence in the region. Most current accounts are therefore not cheque accounts, although these are also available.

All the standard banking services are offered by Bahrain banks, including cheque clearance, standing orders, direct debits and credit card repayments. A certain number of transactions per year are usually free, after which there might be a charge levied, usually at the discretion of the bank manager. Charges vary between banks, as they do in other countries, so shop around before opening an account with a particular bank. Cash dispenser cards are issued as a matter of routine, with the standard security measure of personal identification numbers (PIN) to allow access to your money through ATMs. Personal credit and charge cards, most of them underwritten by Visa or Mastercard, might also be issued by a bank, but these must be negotiated with your banker and often have spending restrictions.

It might be in your interest to open an account with your employer’s bank: favourable terms might be offered for group accounts and your salary might be accessible more quickly if the accounts are in the same system. If you wish to change bank, it pays to be honest and close your account instead of leaving a small amount in it to keep it active, as you’re likely to incur charges. Current accounts pay little or no interest on account balances and, if they do, you must usually have a substantial balance to qualify. It’s better to keep surplus funds in a savings or deposit account.

The information shown on personal cheques is fairly standard (i.e. the name of the bank, the branch, your name(s), the date, etc.), and the layout of cheques is similar to UK or American cheques. The recipient’s name is written on the top line, the amount written in words on the following line and the amount in figures entered in the adjacent box. You sign the cheque on the line at the bottom. An important point to remember is that Arab names are very similar, especially in their diminutive form, so you should be sure to write the full name of an Arab recipient. You aren’t entitled to reimbursement for a ‘misdirected’ cheque if you’ve been careless and inaccurate when writing it, although banks are responsible if they’ve honoured a cheque which doesn’t bear your proper signature.

Cheques are available for completion in English or in Arabic (which is read and written from right to left), and bank statements and correspondence can be provided in either language (your bank should use the appropriate language automatically). The business language of the region is English, and you should encounter no difficulties if you can communicate in Arabic or English.

Both crossed and uncrossed cheques are available. Crossed cheques (marked ‘A/C Payee Only’ at 45 degrees across it) can be paid only into the payee’s account and are therefore safer. An uncrossed cheque can be paid into any account, although the bearer is normally asked to endorse the back of the cheque. To ensure that a cheque can only be paid into the account of the payee, you must add the words ‘A/C Payee Only’ between the crossed diagonal lines on the cheque. Uncrossed cheques made out to ‘Bearer’ or ‘Cash’ are treated as currency and can be cashed by anyone.

You should never overdraw your bank account unless you have authorisation from the bank. If you do so and the sum is small, your bank might pay the amount and inform you of the shortfall, or they might pay only the amount held in your account, or they might not honour the cheque at all. The last is unlikely, unless you’re a new customer or have a poor record with the bank. In most cases of an unauthorised overdraft, you will incur a substantial charge and be questioned about the incident.

Note that issuing a cheque without the necessary funds in
your account is a serious criminal offence in the region and
the police will be notified at the discretion of the bank (or creditor) concerned. Prosecution isn’t uncommon and punishments can be harsh.

A large transient expatriate population means that financial abuses aren’t uncommon, and the banks protect their interests carefully, with the support of the judicial system.

It’s important to understand that, in the case of serious financial difficulties, expatriates are unlikely to receive much in the way of sympathy and understanding, since their services in the country are viewed as expendable. In cases of criminal financial actions, penalties are likely to be harsh and might involve confinement for indeterminate periods while the judicial process takes its tortuous course, especially in the more conservative states.

If your cheque book is lost or stolen, you must notify your bank by telephone immediately and confirm the conversation in writing. Once you’ve informed the bank of the loss, any cheques written after that point cease to be your responsibility. It’s possible to stop payment of a cheque, but you must be in a position to persuade the banking administration that the cause is genuine and pressing.

When buying a major item such as a car on credit, the bank funding the loan is likely to issue you with a series of post-dated monthly cheques, to be passed to the vendor, who will present the cheques on the appropriate dates for settlement. You should ensure that the cheques are correct in every detail and that you keep any receipts issued. Make sure also that there are sufficient funds in your account to meet the payments. If you’re unable to meet a payment, you must notify your bank in advance to make an appropriate arrangement. Banks are usually helpful in such cases (as no bank wants to acquire second-hand cars in default of payment). In the case of a motor vehicle purchase, the official registration of the vehicle might show the bank as the official owner until the loan has been repaid in full.

For utility bills, direct debits can be arranged with your bank to cover regular payments, but make sure that you check your statements to ensure that these instructions are being carried out. Alternatively, you can pay utility bills in cash at any bank, irrespective of whether you have an account there.

You can of course pay cheques drawn on foreign banks in major currencies into your local account. You might be credited with the amount straight away, but some banks wait for clearance, which can be a lengthy process. If you’re expecting regular payments of this kind, check whether your local bank has correspondent status with the foreign bank involved, which will precipitate payments. If not, you might need to find a quicker method of being credited with the money.

Savings & Deposit Accounts

You can open a savings or deposit account with any retail bank in Bahrain. There are no specific savings banks such as thrifts or S&Ls in the USA or building societies or ‘mutual companies’ in the UK. Although savings accounts offer lower interest rates than deposit accounts, they have the advantage of easy withdrawal at any time. Savings account holders might receive a passbook in which financial transactions can be recorded, but more usually a monthly statement is issued in order to record the progress and details of the account. Holders might also be issued with a cash card for use in ATMs, a cheque book and a credit card, depending on the type of account.

There are many types of deposit account available, offering varying rates of interest according to the amount on deposit and minimum deposit period. This is usually a month, although some banks pay interest after a week – generally on large amounts only. High interest accounts are available but require substantial amounts to be deposited in order to qualify for the higher levels of interest. Some banks offer standing order facilities with these accounts and issue cheque books, but there might be maintenance charges and a limit on the number of cheques that can be issued annually.

In many banks, you can open savings accounts designed for major foreign currencies, predominantly US$ and GB£. Most expatriates, however, wish to export the majority of their income to accounts outside the region.

F1 - Ferrari & BMW Take the Top 3 Spots in Bahrain

david@eltworld.net (David) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:11:00 +0000

Commentary from Claudia Beckford

This past weekend we witnessed the Ferrari team take once more the lead; as the Brazilian driver Felipe Massa won the third race of the Formula One calendar - the Bahrain Grand Prix. Massa is Ferrari's second driver but he counts with an extend background and plenty of experience which helped out to obtain the first points of the new season.

Another impressive performance was that of BMW-Sauber Polish leading driver Robert Kubica who began the race in pole position but eventually lost spots and finished third in the overall race. BMW boss Mario Theissen made a odd remark regarding their new hard-line approach as it is clearly reflected on the constructors' championship standings - currently in first place - basically the first time in the team's history as well as their three consecutive podium appearances in the last three competitions.

Despite Kubica's his third position arrival and fourth for team mate Heidfeld they gathered enough points to be placed in first position just one point from team Ferrari.

"It's true we are ahead of schedule - which concerns me a bit because if we go on like this we will get criticised for third or fourth place in future!" joked Theissen.

On the other hand, the alarms have been going off at the McLaren team due to the recent agony leading driver Lewis Hamilton has had to put up with. First there was his mistake at the start of the race followed by a distraction coalition into Renault 's vehicle driven by the Spaniard Fernando Alonso; as the two drivers speeded up out of turn three, Hamilton came close to Alonso's back axle and rode up on his right rear tyre losing its front wing. A very unfortunate fate for Mercedes which doomed Hamilton's chance and transformed it into the worst race finish; thirteenth position.

In the view of some; Alonso had deliberately lifted the accelerator but even Hamilton admitted that if there was anybody to blame was him not Alonso. Yet; Renault's director of engineering Pat Symonds holds data to show the Spaniard driver had not wrong doing in the matter.

After the eminent blow the 23-year-old Briton had not many choices but to continue and end his battle only that this time the gap between him and his Ferrari rivals Raikkonen and Massa was deeper as it meant many precious championship points.

Bahrain has been tough on McLaren and Hamilton who is used to error free performances; perhaps it is time to reassess the dynamics of the team as the championship is becoming a three way battle; in which BMW Sauber is showing sufficient pace to overcome McLaren and fight for more wins.

Nevertheless, we are still three weeks from the following F1 race in Spain and the Spanish racetracks have always been McLaren's territory and we know that from this point forward each race will be more difficult especially now that the lines have been crossed and the speed knights' motivations are in full gear.

About the Author

Claudia Beckford provides outstanding Formula One content as well as information in the sports betting industry.

How much does living in Bahrain cost?

david@eltworld.net (David) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:25:00 +0000

The overall cost of living in Bahrain is similar to that in most European countries, if you’re living in the style of the average western expatriate.

But the general lack of taxation has a significant impact on the cost of certain items, e.g. cars. On the other hand, the cost of accommodation is sometimes high, as is that of certain food items, particularly imported foods. If you buy internationally recognised branded foods and household goods, you might pay higher prices than in your home country, but there are usually plenty of cheaper locally and regionally produced alternatives that are of excellent quality. Clothing can also be expensive if you favour designer labels – this isn’t peculiar to Bahrain – although there’s little need for winter clothing.

The price of wines and spirits, where these are permitted, is slightly lower than in the UK but higher than average European prices. Electronic goods, such as televisions, hi-fis, DVD players, photographic equipment and computer hardware and software, are generally less expensive than in Europe, mainly because of lower import duties.

Utilities, such as electricity, water and gas, are subsidised to some extent by the region’s governments, which own the services (except for bottled gas supplies) in order to provide inexpensive electricity and water, mainly for the benefit of the local population. Utilities are therefore cheaper than in most European countries. However, at the height of summer, air-conditioning costs will escalate, rather as the cost of heating increases in winter in colder climates. Newcomers sometimes make the expensive mistake of keeping their air-conditioning on even when they’re out, but this is unnecessary, as air-conditioning systems reduce the temperature in your accommodation quickly when activated on your return home.

You should also allow for the cost of international telephone calls, although these are kept low by Bahrain’s government, who wants to encourage international business and investment in the region.

Your cost of living will obviously depend on your lifestyle. When you’re negotiating a work contract, it’s usual for your prospective employer to produce detailed cost of living figures for his country, which are useful in helping you to decide whether the proposed job is financially attractive or not.

Note that the cost of living is based on a moderate standard of living with basic amenities in Bahrain and is much higher than Saudi Arabia wherein the cost of living is comparatively lower. The cost of living could be more based on one's expectations and standards of living. For Example: You can get a Villa on rent for 25000 USD Per Annum which is 2083 USD per month. In Bahrain a single bedroom flat would cost 575 BHD=1529 USD /Month and Two Bedroom for 2100 USD/Month. So a Villa in Bahrain would cost approximately 3000 to 4000 USD or more. On the bottom line the cost of living in Bahrain would be 45-70% higher compared to Saudi based on moderate to high standard of living.

Free PDF: Methods of Teaching English

david@eltworld.net (David) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:55:00 +0000

Who loves his fellow TEFLers, eh? Who loves ya? It fills my heart with joy to be able to make you all so happy, which is why I’m reposting this ever popular free PDF…

Methods of teaching foreign languages is the most popular in the series of free downloadable articles giving background information on the TEFL profession, downloaded by hundreds of you so far.

This article looks at methods of teaching foreign languages: The grammar translation method, The direct method, The audio-lingual method, Communicative language teaching, Language immersion, Minimalist/methodist, Directed practice, Learning by teaching (LdL) and the Silent Way.

It also looks into learning strategies: Code switching, Blended learning, and Private tutoring as well as language education in Europe, foreign language education, bilingual education, language education in the United States and in Australia:

Subscribe to David's English Teaching World by Email

Typical Salary & Working Hours in Bahrain

david@eltworld.net (David) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 11:26:00 +0000

Salaries in Bahrain are frequently similar to, or greater than those paid in western countries. But because the region has no personal taxation, net income is usually much greater, which is one of the major attractions of working in Bahrain. In the past, remuneration packages were split into various elements: basic salary, car provision or allowance, housing provision or allowance, medical cover, education for children and air tickets for home visits. Today, however, employers tend just to pay a salary, which covers all these expenses, although in some cases there are performance or other bonuses.

Indemnity

In addition to their salary, contract workers are awarded an ‘indemnity’ at the end of the contract period. The indemnity is usually based on basic salary excluding any bonuses. The indemnity can be a significant amount of money if you’ve been working in Bahrain for a long time, and many people manage either to accumulate a reasonable financial cushion or to live the high life. If you’re clever and disciplined, you should be able to do some of both.

The indemnity has nothing to do with insurance but is an end-of-contract bonus which is required by law to be paid to expatriate workers as a sort of ‘thank-you’ for being of service to the state. (It’s also known as ‘end of service benefits’.) Indemnity scales usually amount to 15 (in some cases 20) days of basic pay per year of employment for the first three years and thereafter a month’s salary per year of employment.

Note that some Arab companies regularly delay the payment of salaries, cash flow problems being passed on to their staff. In this event, you have little alternative but to wait.

Working Hours

The working week in Bahrain tends to vary between 40 and 48 hours, depending on the particular company’s policy. Office hours are usually from 08.30 or 09.00 to 17.30 or 18.00. There are no differences in time keeping between summer and winter. In the month of Ramadan, the working day is reduced to six hours and legally this should apply to all staff, but many companies only apply it to Muslims, who fast during daylight hours.

Friday is the Muslim rest day and, if your company has a five-day working week, the other day off will probably be either Thursday or Saturday. Saturday is the more popular choice for international companies, as taking Thursday off would mean a reduction in the number of operational days in common with much of the rest of the world. Conversely, other companies insist on Thursday, as the school ‘weekend’ is Thursday and Friday.

Recruitment Agencies in Bahrain

david@eltworld.net (David) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 +0000

Recruitment consultants and agents play a major role in the placement of workers in a host of occupations in Bahrain. In view of the distance between Bahrain and the countries that supply many of the region’s employees, it’s necessary for agents to act as middlemen. Private recruitment consultants and headhunters in western countries (and particularly in London and New York) deal with most managerial jobs in Bahrain, while agencies in India (particularly Bombay), Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Korea, the Philippines (Manila) and Thailand (Bankok) supply most of the enormous number of manual labourers employed in Bahrain’s numerous construction projects.

Agencies often specialise in particular areas of work, e.g. medical and nursing staff, computer personnel, accountants, construction managers, executive and office staff, engineering and the technical trades. Agency and consultancy fees are paid by the employer, with no charge to staff. Fees are usually a percentage of the annual salary, ranging from 10 to 20 per cent for most jobs but lower for those with high salaries. Regular customers are often offered preferential rates.

Recruitment agencies in Bahrain are sometimes used for placing expatriates in temporary work or for expatriate wives wishing to take up local employment. There are numerous regulations controlling the employment of spouses, and separate work visas are needed; the agent handles the details.

Local agents are also used if expatriates change jobs. This, however, is not common, as expatriates are normally sent to Bahrain under contract and job changes are restricted by their employers. You might under certain circumstances be allowed to break your contract, in which case a local agency might be of use. Otherwise, at the conclusion of your contract, a local agency might find you another job.

The Government Employment Service

Bahrain doesn't have an equivalent of the nationally-organised job centres found in western countries, and it’s the responsibility of the Ministries of Labour and Social Affairs to deal with employment (Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, PO Box 32333, Manama (Tel. 973-687 800)).

Bahrain is trying to balance the need to import foreign labour with the interests of the local population, and companies are strongly encouraged to take on local nationals where possible. This ‘encouragement’ can be quite robust, and the Ministries are able to restrict the number of work visas issued or renewed to a company in order to comply with a quota of local intake.

How to work for yourself in Bahrain

david@eltworld.net (David) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:39:00 +0000

If you wish to be self-employed in Bahrain, your major hurdle is to find a sponsor. When you’ve found one, you will experience few further problems with bureaucracy and officialdom. In order to find a sponsor, you need to visit the region and talk to local people. This is obviously also necessary in order to check market conditions in the area that interests you. Sponsorship can be provided by a legally registered company or by an individual; for example, you might work in ship maintenance and repair, in which case you would approach a ship maintenance company as a self-employed person working as a sub-contractor.

If you intend to work in one of the professions, you must show the proper qualifications in order to obtain your work visa: in the medical profession, for example, your qualifications would be inspected by the Ministry of Health. There aren’t usually any tax liabilities but it varies according to the type of work and you should check. You might have to buy personal medical cover in some states.

Negotiating with the sponsor will require some hard bargaining. The fee you pay him is likely to be either a flat annual rate paid in regular instalments or a percentage of your revenue. Rates vary, but anything over 10 per cent of your revenue is high and you should try to negotiate on the basis of net rather than gross income. You’re recommended to consult a local lawyer regarding the proposed deal with your sponsor.

Finding a Sponsor in Bahrain

david@eltworld.net (David) — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 13:14:00 +0000

All foreigners require a local sponsor in order to visit Bahrain (whether on holiday or business) or live and work there. Whereas in the west the word ‘sponsor’ is commonly used of individuals or businesses paying to have their names associated with an artistic or sporting event, in the Gulf it has a quite different meaning: a sponsor acts as a sort of guardian as well as guarantor and must undertake all administrative work (i.e. paperwork) on behalf of the foreigner, including applying for a work and residence visa, opening a bank account and signing a rental accommodation contract.

A sponsor can be an individual, a company or an institution. In the case of employees, your employer usually also acts as your sponsor; visitors may be sponsored by a business partner or associate or by the hotel in which they’re staying. Those aiming to do business or set up a business in Bahrain should research the local business environment, establish contacts and find an individual or company with a good reputation and experience in the relevant field to act as your sponsor, who will expect remuneration for his services.

The sponsorship system is an effective form of immigration control. As your sponsor is responsible for you and ‘takes the rap’ if you misbehave or contravene any regulations (which will also involve him in loss of ‘face’ in the community), he automatically checks that you’re reliable and trustworthy, as well as ensuring that you don’t inadvertently step out of line. For this reason, your sponsor is an important source of help and advice and a valuable ‘ally’.

Employment prospects in Bahrain

david@eltworld.net (David) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 11:41:00 +0000

Bahrain allows plenty of foreign workers into its territory, but almost exclusively on a temporary basis. Expatriates aren’t generally allowed to become part of the permanent population. Foreign workers are dealt with in a fair but controlled way, paid and treated well, and at the end of their time in the region, thanked and rewarded for their efforts. On the other hand, the government is conscious of the need to provide decent jobs with career paths for their own young people, who are increasingly educated and aware of the attractions of the outside world – many attend universities in the USA or UK. Having made major investments in education and social welfare, they hope that eventually Bahrain will become almost self-sufficient in terms of labour.

A majority of outside observers, however, believe that expatriates will have a substantial role to play for many years to come, and it seems likely that expatriates will continue to be important for the next two or three decades, although there will undoubtedly be changes in the number of people employed and the type of skills required. For example, the vast construction projects currently found throughout the region (e.g. road systems, airports, ports and trading zones) will become less numerous, with a resulting decline in the number of manual workers required. Commercial development, however, will lead to further building programmes as Bahrain’s economy continues to grow. Managerial, professional and particularly technological experience will still be in strong demand for many years to come. But there will be none of the mass immigration and resulting demands for citizenship that have been experienced in western societies, or the current trend of economic refugees looking for a better way of life. Bahrain will simply not allow it. Foreigners cannot become citizens or own land and property, although there appears to be some lessening of the restrictions, certainly as regards owning one’s own business.

There are other general issues to consider: you’re contemplating a move to a culture that’s almost certainly different to your own; will the way of life, and particularly the restrictions imposed on you, suit you? Will the relocation benefit your long-term career prospects? Will your family (especially any children) cope with and benefit from the move? What impact will it have on their education and employment prospects? If you aspire to be your own boss, as many people do, be aware that starting a business in the region can prove difficult and that you will almost always be required to have a local partner who has a majority holding. Is that acceptable to you?

The Middle East has been the scene of considerable conflict and unrest in recent decades, although the Gulf states are generally safe places to live and work. However, before travelling anywhere in the Middle East, it’s wise to obtain advice from your country’s foreign office. Note also that homosexuality is regarded as a criminal offence throughout the region.

You should ideally have a firm offer of employment before travelling to Bahrain. Speculative visits are occasionally successful, but you need to be notably lucky and have high-grade qualifications and experience to stand any chance. In addition, you will almost certainly need knowledgeable local contacts and have done some research into the types of company which would most value your experience.
Bahrain

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an absolute monarchy (although its head is an emir) and the only Gulf state with strict primogeniture (the principal by which title or property descends to the eldest son) in the royal family. With a population of around 620,000, Bahrain is the smallest of the Gulf states but has an influence that belies its size. Bahrain was the site of the first discovery of oil on the Arabian peninsula side of the Gulf. This occurred at an opportune time, coinciding with the breakdown of the global pearl market, which was previously a crucial part of Bahrain’s economy. Since then, Bahrain has shown foresight by diversifying its economy away from an almost total reliance on oil production. This has been necessary because, in comparison with the other Gulf states, Bahrain has limited oil resources, with an output of around 50,000 barrels per day, although it also receives around three times that amount daily, from coastal offshore fields shared with Saudi Arabia. Oil production now accounts for only 10 to 15 per cent of the gross domestic product, the latter around US$6 billion annually.

The state controlled companies Bahrain National Oil Company (BANOCO) and Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) located at Awali control the oil resources and have extensive development plans, including the production of refined unleaded fuel. BAPCO at Awali is in effect a small town, with extensive on-site amenities for its employees and their families. Other energy industries include BANAGAS, which provides gas services.

Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA) is the largest aluminium smelter in the Middle East, although it has a strong competitor from DUBAL, which is based in Dubai. ALBA’s Bahraini ownership has Saudi Arabian and German companies as minority partners and it provides a significant portion of Bahrain’s non-oil based exports. It has bred many downstream industries, such as a large rolling mill and an aluminium extrusion company, BALEXCO, manufacturing products for industrial and home use, including for export.

The Gulf’s largest ship repair yard, Arabian Ship Repair Yard (ASRY), operates at Sitra and employs a large workforce, both national and foreign, to cater for ships using the region’s busy oil routes. Bahrain originally aimed to become the centre for service industries in the Gulf, but that crown has been claimed by Dubai. The exception to this is the financial services industry, in which Bahrain reigns supreme, having taken the position that Beirut originally held, before the conflict in the Lebanon. Banks from all over the world have established branches in Bahrain, with retail, investment and off-shore operations. Today, Bahrain has almost 200 international banks and financial institutions, all under the control of the Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA), which also has also overseen the Bahrain Stock Exchange since it opened in 1989. Banking and finance is now the second-largest sector in the economy, accounting for over a quarter of the GDP, and the service sector is the country’s largest employer, followed by general commerce and then government occupations.

The Bahrain Telecommunications Company (BATELCO) is a national company that was formed in 1981 after the take-over of the country’s telecommunications system, previously operated by the UK’s Cable & Wireless. BATELCO provides first-class satellite telecommunication links and cellular and internet services, advanced telecommunications being a pre-requisite for the operation of Bahrain’s financial services. Evidence of BATELCO’s efficiency is provided by the fact that many of the world’s leading financial institutions choose Bahrain as their regional base. Bahrain also boasts two ‘free zones’: Mina Sulman and North Sitra.

Tourism is growing rapidly in the Arabian peninsula, and Bahrain is a popular destination. It has long benefited from being at the crossroads of east and west and has been a stopping-off point for international airlines for many years. This has led to an openness and acceptance of foreigners visiting and working in the country, and might account for the genuine hospitality of the people in this friendly little country. Small it might be, but Bahrain’s political influence and goodwill in the region outweigh its size.

Bahrainis have a reputation for being astute and occupy many positions alongside their foreign counterparts in the state’s financial institutions. In recent times, more have been reaching positions of power, encouraged by the programme of ‘Bahrainisation’, which has been designed to encourage the local population to take full-time employment, develop their skills and at the same time reduce the risk of local unemployment.

Where can you teach English?

david@eltworld.net (David) — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:59:00 +0000

Although the national curriculum of Bahrain requires English to be taught as a second language, native English-speakers are rarely found in the state education system, cultural differences accounting for this. There is, however, a constant demand for English teachers in the region, as English is the lingua franca between locals and expatriates, and staff in hotels, airports, hospitals and other service businesses are required to speak English. Jobs are usually advertised in the teaching profession’s publications and national newspaper supplements.

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Private Schools

There’s a large number of private schools in Bahrain, catering mainly for the needs of the expatriate population. English is generally the language used for all lessons. There are some French schools, which hold lessons in that language, but these usually also teach English.

Language Schools

As well as being popular with Bahrain nationals, private language schools are sometimes used by expatriate workers from various countries to improve their English. If you choose to work in one, remember that the hours can be long and anti-social because the schools are teaching pupils who can only attend after their working day. Foreign international language schools, such as Berlitz and Linguarama, have branches in Bahrain. They often require that their teachers attend their own teacher training courses to learn the particular teaching methods of that language school.

Private Tuition

Private English lessons are popular in Bahrain and therefore a significant source of employment. Many of the teachers offering them are ‘moonlighting’ from their full-time employment in schools and colleges, private lessons being a lucrative way to supplement their income. The demand for private English lessons is to some extent seasonal, more people wanting them in the run-up to the examination season. There’s another peak of demand when exam results are published, from those who have failed and need to improve their skills for exam retakes. Study advertisements for tutors in local newspapers, the yellow pages and on notice boards in clubs and sporting institutions, or post advertisements yourself.

The British Council

The British Council recruits English language teachers for placement in its centres. It requires a recognised qualification, such as an RSA diploma or PGCE in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), and also a minimum of two years’ teaching experience for most of its positions. For more senior jobs and those with managerial responsibilities, postgraduate qualifications and a minimum of five years’ experience are required.

For further information, contact The British Council Recruitment Section, Central Management of Direct Teaching, 10 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2BN, UK (Tel. 020-7389 4931). The British Council also recruits English teachers and teachers of other subjects for British International Schools. For information, contact The Overseas Educational Appointments Department, British Council, 65 Davies Street, London W1Y 2AA, UK (Tel. 020-7389 7660). The free publication Teaching Overseas is also produced by the Council.

Translators & Interpreters

Those who are fluent in Arabic and English can find work as translators and interpreters. Translation work is particularly required for legal and contractual documentation, and technical papers. Interpreters are often needed at seminars and on management training courses. Both types of work are usually part-time or short-term.

This article originally appeared at the Just Landed website.

About Bahrain

david@eltworld.net (David) — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 11:31:00 +0000

Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands. The country was once named by ancient Sumerians, considered an island paradise in which there was no disease, death or suffering, and where gods resided. Although modern Bahrain has not retained such mythical status, many still frolic in its heavenly shoreline, and many still perceive the country as blissful respite from lenient Islamic countries.

Bahrain holds a strategic position between East and West, The Kingdom has always been considered a place of unity where east meets west, renowned for its warmth and hospitality. A good balance of traditional values combined with refined modernity, make Bahrain an attractive country to live and work.

Despite the Islamic presence, about one-third of Bahrain's population is foreign expatriates who seek that ideal blend of stability and prosperity. Perhaps this influence has shaped modern Bahrain, now rapidly modernizing, full of shopping malls and restaurants.

Visitors to Bahrain are more likely to want to revel in its antiquity. It is exactly this blend of eastern and western cultures, this commingling of mosque and skyscraper, which draws so many to Bahrain. Bahrain is full of surprises and is becoming increasingly popular as a home and business destination. Much of Bahrain's appeal lies in its cosmopolitan atmosphere, friendly and courteous people and contemporary living.

Bahrain has much to offer in terms of leisure activities. The Kingdom often plays host to regular cultural events from plays to the Formula One Grand Prix. There are a range of conference centers and outdoor arenas. A wide variety of cinemas offer the latest international movies. There are innumerable museums, galleries and historical sites to visit.

Bahrain's fair weather, offers the opportunity for many land and sea based sporting activities. There is a variety of health clubs, golf courses, racetracks and sporting stadiums. There are excursions across the desert, horse-riding and camel-racing, for the adventurous. At sea, activities include dolphin watching boat trips, water skiing, windsurfing, sailing and a range of other water sports activities. The wide range of nationalities living within The Kingdom of Bahrain have enhanced and increased the choice of restaurants available within the region.

Bahrain is a world class logistic centre for banking, finance, industry and tourism and is one of the most favorable living environments in the Gulf, where several multinational communities enjoy freedom and a friendly cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Battling for First: The Bahrain 2007 Grand Prix

david@eltworld.net (David) — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 10:44:00 +0000

An article by Roger Munns

Formula One racing in 2007 has exploded with excitement as the third race in the F1 circuit, held in Bahrain, has brought the world's attention to focus on one captivating rookie by the name of Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton, the young British driver, finished second after the Bahrain Grand Prix racing event. To date, Hamilton has finished first, second or third in his first three Grand Prix races, an unprecedented accomplishment.

Fans of F1 racing were treated to speeds in excess of 200 kilometers per hour, as well as hair raising turns and squealing tyres as drivers fought for lead positions in last Sunday's race. F1 racecars can reach speeds in excess of 340 kilometers per hour, many in less than ten seconds under the gifted hands of drivers like Hamilton and Massa.

Those following the fast rise of the rookie Hamilton were not surprised that he managed to latch onto a front-row start during qualifying sessions on Saturday. Having edged out Felipe Massa during the second F1 race in Malaysia a week ago, Hamilton slipped in behind Massa and stayed put for most of the race. As of the close of the Bahrain race, Hamilton shares 22 points in the running for F1 champion with Alonso and Kimi Raikkenen. The winner of the Malaysian Grand Prix last week, Fernando Alonso, finished fifth. After the race, Hamilton commented that he had every confidence that if the race had gone a few more laps, he would have edged past Massa for the lead. Hamilton will have an opportunity to strut his stuff again in the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix, to be held May 13 in Catalunya, Spain.

The Bahrain Grand Prix winner, Felipe Massa, had his hands full maintaining his lead after repeated threats by Hamilton's car early on in the race and later, as it came to its exciting conclusion. Hamilton didn't stop for fuel or a tire change until Lap 19, and as far as he was concerned, that stop made all the difference in the race. He did not particularly caring for the soft tires that didn't grab the track, as he would have preferred, he stated after the race.

The Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir made its debut in April of 2004 and holds the distinction as being the first Formula One World Championship racing event to be held in the Middle East. The 57-lap track runs just over five kilometers in length and offers just about a half a dozen sharp turns that serve to thrill thousands of observers who follow the F1 circuit races in person, as well as the millions who tune in to watch this third of nineteen F1 Grand Prix races for this year's championship. Grandstands, built to hold 50,000 spectators, often spill over, as they did again this year, with over 100,000 enthusiastic racing fans in attendance.

The Formula One racing event in Bahrain is held near the island's capital of Manama at the Sakhir racetrack, and the Bahrain International Airport offers easy transportation to and from the racing event on the largest of the Bahrain Kingdom's thirty-six islands. Bahrain, the only Arab state that is actually a group of islands, offers a mixture of white, sandy beaches and plenty of warm sunshine able to accommodate the thousands of visitors to the island each year who come to enjoy the 'Arabian Sheik' atmosphere that the racetrack offers, situated as it is in the midst of desert sands and endless blue skies.

About the Author

Details of the Monaco Formula One race and for those thinking of visiting the Grand Prix hotels in Nice and offshore Barclays Bank Monaco visit YourMonaco.com

Getting Started in TEFL: Choosing a TEFL Course

david@eltworld.net (David) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 10:55:00 +0000

Useful advice from Keith Taylor

The demand for English teachers around the world today is very high, as English continues to be the preferred language in many areas of life, from study and work to entertainment and travel. For the foreseeable future at least, you will never be short of a job if you choose English teaching as a career.

So, if you've heard tales from a returning teacher of the wonders of living and working in Thailand, Brazil or Morocco and you think it might just be the career for you, how, exactly, do you get started?

Well, the first thing to confront you may well be the minefield of acronyms, so let's work through that first of all.

ESL stands for English as a Second Language. Add a T, giving TESL, and you have Teaching English as a Second Language.

EFL is English as a Foreign Language. Again, add a T, and you have TEFL, Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

Traditionally, TEFL refers to teaching in non-English speaking countries, whereas TESL refers to teaching in English speaking countries, to non-native speakers living or working there. In practice, though, the two terms are often used interchangeably, and both are covered by the all-encompassing TESOL, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

During your training or job search, you might come across a host of other acronyms, asking you if you have experience teaching ESP or EAP, FCE or IELTS! Don't be daunted by these - have a look at this guide to TEFL terminology.

Now that you know a little about some of the jargon you'll be facing, the next step is usually a qualification of some kind. The days of being able to secure an English teaching job solely on the strength of being a native speaker, although not entirely gone, are fading fast. A quick search on the internet for "TEFL courses" (we'll stick with this acronym for now) will return a mind-boggling selection, of varying content, duration, and quality, and it can be difficult to know what to go for.

It might surprise you to discover that most TEFL courses are short. The most internationally recognised and accepted are the "CELTA" (there's yet another acronym for you), run by the University of Cambridge, and the "Trinity Cert TESOL", run by Trinity College, London. Both of these are 120 hour, classroom-based courses, and include several hours of observed teaching practice. In other words, they get you in front of students during the course so that you can put into practice what you learn. These courses are usually studied over a very intensive four week period, and involve a lot of work outside the classroom, preparing classes and writing assignments.

You'll learn a good deal about teaching theory and methodology, and have some chance to put it into practice. You will learn some English grammar, but don't expect to be an expert by the end of the course - this mostly comes in your first few years of teaching.

An increasing number of institutions offer courses of similar length and content to the CELTA and Trinity courses, and you will find that many employers will accept these.

Very generally speaking, the shorter and less classroom-based the course, the less accepted it will be by employers around the world. There are some high quality online courses available, for example, but by definition these do not allow for any actual teaching practice, and so are often viewed in a less favourable light by potential employers. Some courses compensate by teaching theory and methodology online, and including a short classroom-based component to put it into practice.

You can take a TEFL course in many different countries. Studying in Bangkok or Prague, for example, can give you the advantage of the centre's connections with local schools when it comes to finding employment, and some course providers offer help with finding a job as part of the deal.

Another option is an MA in TESOL. As with most Masters degrees, these take one year or longer, and consequently tend to cover theory and methodology in greater detail.

So, to keep your options as open as possible when it comes to finding employment, the CELTA and Trinity Cert TESOL and equivalent courses, or longer MA courses, are perhaps the best options. But there are, of course, other considerations. CELTA and Trinity courses can cost upwards of US$2000. This may seem a big investment if you are not sure yet if TEFL is the career for you.

So a good first step is to have a look at some of the jobs available in countries where you are interested in teaching, to get an idea of the typical requirements. You could choose a shorter, cheaper course, if these are generally accepted where you want to teach, and then study for a CELTA or equivalent after a year or two, if you decide to pursue the profession further.

The availability of short, quick courses often raises the question of unqualified or underqualified teachers let loose on unsuspecting students! Here, the argument runs both ways:

Some maintain that a qualified teacher doesn't necessarily mean a good teacher, and that communicative skills and enthusiasm are just as important in motivating students. Even the CELTA and Trinity courses are, after all, entry level courses, designed to start you off, with the idea that much of your learning will come from experience during your first couple of years of teaching.

Others argue that just as an unqualified teacher wouldn't be allowed to teach at a secondary school in the UK or the US, why should it be any different in the TEFL field - students are paying to be taught by someone with solid training in teaching theory and methodology. And after all, as a teacher, you'll feel better equipped and more confident when you step into the classroom in your new job.

It's up to you which side of the fence you choose to stand on this one! But whether you study for a week or a year, it will in some measure prepare you for the next step in your TEFL career, when you walk in to the classroom for the first time in your new TEFL job.

About the Author

Keith Taylor is the founder of eslbase.com, providing free resources, information and advice for TEFL teachers, as well as a directory of TEFL courses and the latest TESOL jobs worldwide.