Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Any Info about Hayat Universal Bilingual School (HUBS)

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Qatar
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
ummimraan



Joined: 26 Feb 2005
Posts: 13
Location: Abu Dhabi

PostPosted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:08 am    Post subject: Any Info about Hayat Universal Bilingual School (HUBS) Reply with quote

I heard that HUBS is opening a new school in Qatar and wonder if anyone has any information about this school. How are the other teachers, work environment, etc...

Any info is appreciated.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
wilberforce



Joined: 27 Dec 2008
Posts: 647

PostPosted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Never heard of this place, maybe they are using another name?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ruuchan



Joined: 16 Aug 2009
Posts: 10

PostPosted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:28 am    Post subject: More about HUBS Reply with quote

HUBS is in its second year of operation in Doha. About 95% of the students are Qatari and the language of instruction is English, except for the Arabic/Islamic/Quran studies classes. They have an amazing teaching staff, in my opinion. All of the classroom teachers from KG2 up are British Columbia (Canada) certified and have a B.Ed. They are mostly from Canada, but there are some American and Australian teachers too. The staff are very hard-working and support each other, but there can be some friction between the classroom teachers and the Arabic/Islamic/Quran teachers (some different standards of teaching professionalism and the usual cross-cultural misunderstandings!) The curriculum (from British Columbia, Canada) is student-centred and allows for a lot of creativity and flexibility (for both the students and the teachers). Most of the students seem really happy at the school and say that is way better than their old school...because the teachers don't hit them, the other kids are nicer, the teachers take bullying seriously and/or will help them with problems etc.

Now for some negatives:
There are difficulties with management-the school is on its third principal in two years. They are doing their best but have way too much to do, so the school as a whole does suffer as a result.
It's a for-profit school, so the bottom line will sometimes take precedence over what is best for the students or teachers.
The facilities are inadequate: it's an old government school building (probably from the 1970s...old Qatar style!) with no gym or auditorium, no science labs, minimal library, and not a large enough play area for all of the kids at the school. Hopefully this will improve in the years to come.
The overseas teachers' housing has some issues: it's out in the desert (literally!) with nothing within walking distance. The apt. building is new, but has too many people living in it for the septic field's liking, so you are often greeted by the scent of sewage when you open your apt. door in the morning! Still, it's nice having your co-workers/friends nearby for when you want to collaborate on lesson planning or just visit. The actual apartments are pretty big for a single person too, which is a plus.
The school has no extra-curricular activities in place yet: no sports, drama, arts and crafts etc.
Teachers are expected to do entrance tests during their prep periods. This was worse during the first year of operation and took up a lot of valuable time. We were also encouraged to take students who were not suitable for the school (academic/English weaknesses, learning disabilities etc.) because of pressure to meet enrollment quotas for the coming year.

Overall, I think that the school has potential because they have attracted a great teaching staff and the curriculum is also strong. However, they are having a lot of growing pains. I would imagine that the school will be more developed and settled in 5 years or so...at that point, I would be able to recommend teaching there or sending your child there, but at the present time, I can't recommend it because of the above-mentioned negative points. I would view HUBS as a "work in progress".
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
feelfree



Joined: 08 Apr 2011
Posts: 15
Location: Over the Rainbow

PostPosted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 3:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

When I applied they asked if I would go through their Independent School Teacher Certification or authorization for nationalities other than Canadian and wanted a $240 check or money order in Canadian funds. The letter said something about refunding $20 if the application was not successful. This is for the evaluation of transcripts, criminal background check, verification of certification, etc.

I didn't and I still don't understand what the $240 is for if I am providing all the verified documents and they are simply receiving them. The criminal background check was only $20 of the fee.

A successful conclusion of this process was not connected to an offer of employment. I assume this because it was not stated in the information provided.

They wanted to set up a one hour Skype interview and provided me with the school curriculum, a Social Studies scenario to study so I could prepare a response.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ruuchan



Joined: 16 Aug 2009
Posts: 10

PostPosted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 4:49 am    Post subject: more about HUBS Reply with quote

I believe that the money that they are asking for is to process and activate your yearly membership in the British Columbia College of Teachers. HUBS requires all of its KG2 and up teachers to be British Columbia certified and to become members of the BCCT, and so they are probably just making you aware of this requirement and the associated costs upfront. During this academic year, the certification fees were refunded to us eventually, so you may want to check with your recruiter whether or not this will still be the case in 2011-2012.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Qatar All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

Teaching Jobs in China
Teaching Jobs in China