Job Discussion Forums

art1stnath · Joined: 05 Apr 2013 Posts: 1 Location: Canada

Has anyone had interview results from the ADVETI/IAT interviews in NYC in March 2013?

Incedere · Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 58

They'll call back any time up and until the day before school begins. If you have other opportunities, then don't wait by the phone.

The process is slow for a number of reasons. First, HR has to get approval for potential candidates from management, and that can take a while depending on who is on leave, and when they can get around to signing off on them. Then those approved candidate names are sent for a security clearance, a process that has lengthened considerably after the Arab Spring. Once that is done, someone will eventually get around to giving you a callback and letting you know if your application was successful.

IAT and ADVETI are desperate for western teachers, so if you are a native speaker, they give you an offer. IAT needs over 60 new English teachers for September, and ADVETI needs that or more. In the case of IAT, they have self-imposed a requirement of only hiring native speakers for English teaching positions. This is part due to the near impossibility of getting almost anyone from the Maghreb through the security clearance, and part plain old-fashioned bias.

So don't stress out waiting for the call. Pursue a fallback in the meantime, and if the offer materializes, make you decision then.

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

And Ramadan will be around the 9th of July until the 7th of August, give or take, and then the Eid and then the after Eid travel plans. It's going to be a long wait for those signature to come along.

Haloolah · Joined: 09 Feb 2011 Posts: 22 Location: USA

please don't start a firestorm of defensive remarks.....but I have friends who work at IAT and ADVETI in the UAE and they hate both places. Horrible working conditions including admin and mgt that have no clue what they are doing, crazy curriculum that is all over the place (meaning learning objectives are not clearly defined or way above students' heads)...and more and more...if you want to PM me go right ahead. The teachers hang in there for the money and get out as soon as possible or try to move up to a more decent position elsewhere. It all depends on how bad you need the money and what your sense of humor is (and loads...LOADS of patience to put up with bs).

Shakhbut · Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 167

Gus Barkley · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 78

While I have lived in the Emirates for a number of years I did not how to answer this question put to me by a friend-of-a-friend who's been hired by IAT:

Do they provide any assistance in finding a place to live? He knows he is paid a housing allowance but has no idea how easy/hard it is to find somewhere in AD. I referred him to Dubizzle.

Also, he was not aware if they gave him any furniture allowance. I thought this was pretty standard but since he only has a two year contract maybe it is not.

Any insights?

Incedere · Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 58

You will get a relocation allowance if you are a non-local hire. About 20,000 AED.

Most new teachers find a hotel apartment near where they are going to work, and then look for a place to live.

It really is not hard to find a decently priced apartment in Dubai. Abu Dhabi, however, is a lot more difficult.

As for teaching at an IAT/ADVETI school.. If you are not well versed in 1-to-1 practices, it may be a bit difficult. All ADVETI students are issued iPads, and all IAT students get MacBooks.

As for salaries... few if any private schools in the region offer equivalent packages. Although, caveat emptor. You will be expected to work a few Saturdays per term, and attend mandatory professional development workshops (both internal and external).

madrileno · Joined: 19 Aug 2010 Posts: 270 Location: Salalah, Oman

What are the salaries for this company, now?

Last I head a couple of years ago, it wasn't even 10K AED. Plus you have to pay for your own housing out of that...

fazakerly · Joined: 08 Nov 2013 Posts: 2 Location: uae

Salaries and accommodation are more than most schools in the UAE. However, expectations are unrealistic and conditions of service are very poor. Few westerners renew contracts (especially with STS) and many 'Abscond' after a term or two to avoid having to pay back allowances they have been given.
English teachers in particular are difficult to recruit, so many end up teaching 30 periods a week in some schools. There are no supplementary payments for the extra teaching even if it lasts all year. You are still expected to teach weekends and in student holidays (no extra pay).