Job Discussion Forums

[veiledsentiments]

Obviously... China2... that is our opinion as teachers. Those that hold the purse strings seem to not agree because students didn't miraculously learn English in a year. The fact is that all 3 of those institutions were filled with some of the best teachers in the field... dedicated, hard-working, and professional.

Oil prices are down... education is the usual target for cuts.

VS

[Blackbear]

It is my understanding that several years ago at the HCT colleges (Men and Women) where PS taught, there were 4 or 5 Maths teachers cut (out of 8 at that time) because the ALEKS Maths teaching system was cheaper. Now the Maths teachers remaining just sit in the classrooms and "manage" the students while they (the students) do the on-line learning. I suppose definite benefits of the ALEKS testing system include instant feedback and "mastery learning".

This situation happened way before oil prices started dropping. Yes, VS, dropping oil revenues won't help teachers survive the cost-cutting measures and the pressure for "Emiratization".

[veiledsentiments]

I can see that computers may work to teach basic math... but there is no way that they will replace language teachers. Might be helpful for truly self-motivated learners... but never saw many of those in the Gulf.

VS

[Blackbear]

Yes, VS and PS, Emiratization and cost-cutting are continual forces shaping HCT. IMHO, the cost-cutting aspect is more of a driver for change than Emiratization.

OTOH, Emiratization is in place to help locals (aka Emiratis) take over jobs from expats. Our opinion (ie the opinion of expats) does not count. If Emiratis need experience in jobs, then Emiratization will certainly give it to them. Regardless of what expats think, Emiratization is a continual driving force. Giving expats jobs is not as important. Just read the research literature.

OTOH, native speaking ESL teachers will always be needed - and I speak of non-accented English speakers (USA, Canada, UK, AU, NZ, etc) who will always be needed to provide the ESL training that the world of commerce requires for communication. Thank you, VS, for mentioning that. Computers won't work to develop the needed skills.

FWIW, the current Foundations Heads are going to do at least as good a job in the college where PS taught when compared to the expats who "populated" the position since maybe 2009. Some real dragons were there - all now back into teaching/iPad app development, or out of the HCT system alltogether - and HCT will certainly benefit from such Emiratis doing a "credable" job.

My ear is very close to the floor and I MUST protect sources who are still in the HCT system - for obvious reasons. Sending me a PM for further info will not get more info simply because I must protect sources who are "still on the ground".