Job Discussion Forums

[vamanos12]

Alrighty,
Any solid advice will be most appreciated.
I went to the 2012 TESOL Conference and was interviewed by HCT. I thought they seemed fine, but I have read all the warnings about how working for them is not the dream it once seemed. My impression is that the administration pays you a lot to treat you like a disposable slave. This is my impression-please correct me if I"m wrong. Is it really that bad?

Also, with a Masters and 4 years of Uni ESL Experience in the states any guestimates on what they would offer?

I guess I've passed through the initial screening and am now in the pool waiting to see if any individual institution wants to take me on. Anyone know if this means I will be waiting indefinitely? I"m trying to get something sealed and there are other offers.

Last thing...the three year contract. If I signed, I'd do my best to make good on the commitment, but anyone know the reprocussions (emotional and financial) of not making good on the 3 year contract?

Thanks to anyone that replies.

[veiledsentiments]

Don't expect any employers in the Gulf to give fast answers. It is just not in the system. But, you can also drag your feet in accepting.

I can't tell you what the current salary offers are, but it is normally pretty good, as are the benefits.

It is not that they treat you like a disposable slave, it is just obsessively over-bureaucratic. Much depends on where you are assigned and how well you personally are able to play the game and get along with your individual management. While you wait, practice smiling and nodding while biting your tongue. You can't change the system, so one's ability to deal with it is the key. Keep in mind that many teachers have been there for years and keep their personal goals in view.

One can always leave during the probationary period. I don't know how long that is these days. After that, you follow the procedure in the contract which is probably something to the effect of giving notice in writing a semester before you wish to depart. It used to be 6 months, but they don't want teachers leaving mid-semester, which is fair enough. In your final pay, they will deduct whatever portion of your settling in allowance has not been written off. (it is -0- if you finish the contract... the allowance was about $8000 last I heard)

VS

[goodooga]

You should be asking for dhs 20 000 p/m.

[Eisenhorn]

Fat chance on getting that.

I know the myth that gets posted and has been hyped up on here about HCT/ZU/UAEU folks getting 20K a month plus benefits to start... It is just that a myth for most folks. The STARTING salary that Central negotiates with/from for a MA and 3 year experience is about 13K a month. Now if you have more experience, it goes up about 1K a month per year of relevant experience. If you have additional credentials like IELTS examiner, TOEFL examiner or relevant experience in things like academic writing, etc, it may go up about another 500 AED per month.

So to get that 20K a month, you need about a dozen years of EFL/ESL experience, a relevant masters and a great deal of luck when trying to negotiate a starting salary.

I know plenty of people who have been with HCT for 5 to 10 years who aren't getting 20K a month.

So ask for it, but don't buy into the idea that new hires will get that level. And don't be surprised if they offer you something around 15 to 17K a month. 20K a month doesn't happen that often. Even with HCT desperately needing new teachers.

[Shakhbut]

Edit

[helenl]

Or you could wait for Adveti to call - they apparently pay the highest wages and benefits in the region - but fly so low below the radar that no one who has been here for 10+ years are aware of these facts.

I've followed the Adveti thread - and according to research and annecdtal evidence (which seem to be what we are all referring to) it happened for a year or two until admin figured out they were out paying the market. However, I am still sceptical - Adveti has never been on the radar in my 12 + years here either as an employer let alone as being the highest paid employer. PI in UAE always held that coveted spot, at least for about 5 years.

[rainbowprof]

so 13 years esl university experience and M. Ed TESOL could bring in over 20 000?

[veiledsentiments]

[rainbowprof]

Fortunately my formative years were spent honing my haggling skills in Malaysia and Indonesia. It doesn't sound as though the majority of workers at HCT find it to be a stable work environment, unfortunately. Or is it the vocal minority that make their voices heard in these forums

[veiledsentiments]

I would say that the majority find it as stable as any other Gulf employer. It is always best to think of any Gulf job as a one year at a time thing. On a board like this, it is always the vocal minority that set the tone. HCT used to be one of the more stable positions where one stayed pretty much as long as one could tolerate the system. (it's a rather pompous, bureaucratic organization with delusions of grandeur... many get sick of the meetings and endless blather, while others are able to ignore it and fly under the radar)

But, much depends on the college where you teach and its management. It is a lar