Teachers and Teaching Styles in Saudi Arabia and Chile

         Although Saudi Arabia and Chile are similar in regard to their teachers and teaching styles, there are few differences. First, both countries have men and women teachers with bachelors degrees, whereas in Saudi Arabia, women teachers only teach girls, and men teachers only teach boys. Secondly, the classroom atmosphere is mostly informal in Chile. For example, teachers need at least five to ten minutes to make the students quiet. However, in Saudi Arabia the girls' class is always quiet. Additionally, during the first three years in elementary school, the Saudi students stand up when the teachers enter the classroom, and Chilean students too. Furthermore, the Saudi style in arranging the class desks is the same as the Chilean style. For instance, the students sit in pairs to form two or more lines toward the board. Third, the methods teachers use to evaluate students in the two countries are equal. For example, they take many tests during the semester and a final one at the end. Finally, like Chilean students, Saudi students in elementary school just listen and answer questions asked by the teacher, while in the high school the students discuss and ask questions. In summary, even though there are some differences between Chilean and Saudi teachers and their teaching styles, they are fairly similar.