Job Discussion Forums

[ntropy]

I see Abu Dhabi University is advertising on Dave's. There's a very cautionary warning about the place in the JOb Information Journal dated Sept/03. Anyone there now who can tell us if things have changed.

[Cleopatra]

When I first read your comment I thought "Well, if you paid too much attention to the Job Info Board you'd never leave home". but then, when I read what the poster had to say about Abu Dhabi Uni, it did sound quite specific and credible.

As that wise lad Veiled Sentiments says, you're always better avoiding newly set-up places - join when the growing pains have passed.

[johnslat]

Dear Cleopatra,

"As that wise lad Veiled Sentiments says. . ."

Ah, I do believe you've misgendered VS, who is, if her postings can be credited, a "lassie", not a "lad".
Regards,
John

[veiledsentiments]

Again JohnS is correct --- I just looked and I'm still a female of the species. But, anytime someone wants to quote me in a positive way I'll take it as a compliment. Usually when people on this board call me a male is when they are accusing me of something scurrilous.

I went and read that post on the JIJ about this new place and it sounds very grim.

VS
(I just noted JohnS subject line--- now how exactly should I take that one? a-hem---)

[manonatrain]

Can�t be good. READ DAVES JOB INFO JOURNAL.
Sounds very real, even like some new places in Oman i have
heard about...eeeekkkk...

Good schools don�t loose staff so soon after they open for the
school year...eeeekkkk...

don�t do it...

[johnslat]

Dear veiledsentiments

"I just noted JohnS subject line--- now how exactly should I take that one? a-hem---)."

Oops, didn't mean to imply any derogatory ( or should that be dogatory? )
meanings there; as you can see, I've altered the subject line slightly. Besides, as is well known, Lassie was actually a Laddie:

" Unlike Rin Tin Tin, the dog that the world would know as �Lassie� was trained and groomed for the silver screen. But Lassie is unique in another way � the world�s most famous collie is perhaps the world�s most famous female impersonator: Lassie was a male, and his real name was Pal. In fact, all of Pal�s descendents who played Lassie were male as well. Male collies were preferred for the role because they tend to be larger and more outgoing than females. "

Ah, and by the way - this is NOT to imply that you're a "female impersonator" - doggone it.

Regards,
John

[shebab]

The information posted about this place in the Journal, while specific and discouraging, comes from only one person. Don't make the mistake of judging a place without at least trying to get a more representative sample of experiences (if at all possible). Anything else constitutes fallacious reasoning!

[scot47]

It is difficult to make judgements based on info from one person
I have been around the EFL scene for long enough to be wary of:

1. Nasty employers

AND

2. Weird teachers who are not in touch with our reality

[veiledsentiments]

Hi,

Yes, that message is from only one person. But when I read a story like that, I think - if this is only half true or even a quarter true - do I want any part of it?

It goes back to the basis of what Cleo mentioned of my basic theory - avoid new places. This sounds way too typical of so many new institutions. In a couple of years, they will hopefully have most of the problems ironed out - and - you will have more employees with experiences to share. That way you can hear from both positive and negative posters and hopefully be able to decide which of them are the weird ones.

VS
(who will now roll over and play dead--)

[ntropy]

That's exactly what this thread is trying to do...find info from more than one person to see a true representation of the situation.

New places generally do need to be taken with large grains of salt...see College of the North Atlantic in Qatar.

No, don't believe everything you read.

I spent a large number of very happy years in Yemen despite grave warnings that I was about to be kidnapped, shot, Al-qaedad, or hooked on qat.

[Ka-CHING!]

Well, hmmph. I am very interested in the position advertised because I'm interested in computer-assisted language learning.

How new is the university? When was it established? Has anyone heard any other stories about the place? VS is right on two counts: this IS only one person's report we're talking about BUT it is also wise to be cautious about new establishments. On the other hand, it can be exciting to get in on the ground floor of something new and exciting...

[veiledsentiments]

Ka-CHING

I think courses were supposed to start this semester, and I assume that this would mean mainly English courses to start prepping them for academic English. (purely speculation and that is how it sounded in the message on the JIJ - and that tends to be how these things go)

New places can be fine for people with a high tolerance for disorganization and experience enough to be able to help rather than hinder the situation. At the rate these new colleges are starting up all over the Gulf, this may be a growth area that teachers might want to specialize in.

If you are interested in teaching and technology, have you considered Zayed University? If you have an MA and experience, they use computers extensively in all classrooms (every student and teacher has a laptop) and have one of the best pay and benefit packages in the Emirates.

VS

[Ka-CHING!]

VS,

I've applied to several places in the Emirates, but I'd prefer a university. What you're describing at Zayed sounds ideal, but it's a bit early yet, I think, to be getting replies.

I've been teaching for ten years or so and, um, well, let's say that I've seen disorganisation before. Simple disorganisation doesn't worry me as much as out and out hostility.

[Cleopatra]

VS,

I do apologize!

My crappy computer left out the 'y' in 'lady'!

[johnslat]

Dear Cleopatra,

"My crappy computer left out the 'y' in 'lady'"

This is frightening news, indeed. Our computers are now capable of performing s e x - change operations upon us. Beware.

Regards,
John