Job Discussion Forums

[woodphil]

Hello everyone,

I am just after a bit of information regarding teaching in Dubai.

I am originally from the UK but studied in Australia so my qualifications come from there. I am currently working on the Netscheme in Hong Kong and been here for 8 years, also worked for a year in Japan and 1 year in Australia as a teacher. I have a Bachelor of Education (P-12) and three Masters of Education (TESOL, education research & special needs education).

I am thinking of taking a little bit of time off when my contract finishes here in July but I am trying to get some options together for when I do need to get back into teaching (when the money runs out).

For somebody with my experience and qualifications what would be the best option for applications in Dubai? Do you apply to schools/universities direct or do you go through recruitment agencies? Is there something similar to the Netscheme in Hong Kong where you interview and then get placed in a school?

Also, when is the best time period to start applying? Is it February, March time for an August/September start?

Apologies for the long post but i just have one more question regarding special needs in Dubai? I am currently working in special needs and it is an area I am interested in continuing with. Are there specific special needs schools there or are special needs students integrated into mainstream schooling?

Really appreciate any advice anybody can pass on.

Cheers

[nomad soul]

You didn't indicate what your specific teaching experience is (i.e., k-12, special needs, language schools, university level), but it looks like you've been teaching youngsters. Anyway, Teachaway.com might be a good place for you start, especially if your interests and experience are mostly in special needs learners and children.

[woodphil]

Hi,

Thanks for responding, special needs is something i would like to look at so i will take a look at teachaway.

My experience so far is:

Australia - Primary classroom teacher (EFL Aboriginal students) - 1 year
Japan - Language school (conversation English) all ages - 1 year
Hong Kong - Primary school (P1 -6) English - 6 years
Hong kong - secondary school (special needs) English - 2 years (current position)

No experience at all at university level.

Thanks

[Ixchel]

Do a blog search on teaching in UAE. The blogs are all k-12 and quite eye-opening. If you want to teach at a private, international or American school it's ok but it you want to get in the [newer] scheme of public schools hiring English speaking teachers to co-teach with locals, I'd think twice (or 10 times.) The turnover is shocking.
You have a BA and MA but to teach you'll need teaching certificates as well. They are pretty strict in the ME. MA's don't matter in K-12 but teaching credentials do. They are hiring right now for fall.
I saw one post on TeachAway for special education and I think it was Dubai but I can't remember.

[Eisenhorn]

check with tes.co.uk and work your way to the UAE (asia, uae) and then examine who and what is being offered.

the better international schools start hiring in Feb for the next academic year. so it is a good idea to start looking now.

[woodphil]

Thanks for the replies, very helpful. So February is the time to start looking around and applying, I probably won't be applying this year but it is certainly something I will be looking at for next year, I just wanted to get an idea of whats on offer and when to apply.

Ixchel when you say,
You have a BA and MA but to teach you'll need teaching certificates as well. They are pretty strict in the ME.

Does that mean i will need further teaching certificates on top of my B ed and M ed's to teach there?

Thanks very much for the info.

[woodphil]

Also Ixchel

the [newer] scheme of public schools hiring English speaking teachers to co-teach with locals

Do you have the name of the scheme or any schemes that organise teachers to work in public schools to co-teach with locals?

Thanks

[nomad soul]

[Ixchel]

[veiledsentiments]