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whitecastle
Joined: 09 Oct 2015
Posts: 7
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 Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 11:17 pm Post subject: Best places to teach in Abu Dhabi / Dubai |
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Hi, I'm a long time reader of this blog and posting for the first time.
I have several years teaching experience and an MA in TESOL.
I am applying for jobs in the UAE and have read some less than flattering comments about HCT in particular as well as a couple of other schools.
I was wondering if someone could tell me which schools are known to have the best work environment and a decent salary. I am especially keen on Abu Dhabi as I have a sister working there and know the city quite well.
It would really help me and my family out a lot. Thanks! |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 6:09 am Post subject: Re: Best places to teach in Abu Dhabi / Dubai |
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Be aware that HCT, Zayed, and UAE University, major employers in the UAE, are slated to have their English foundation programs phased out in about three years. See Foundation year to be or not to be. Hiring has already slowed down, although HCT seems to have openings for obvious reasons.
Anyway, take a look at higheredjobs.com, unijobs.ae, and TESOL.org's career page. Also check the websites of individual universities for possible openings; go to wikipedia for a list of UAE universities. Best work environment and decent salary? Wages have been stagnant and benefits reduced at many universities. That said, start with the American University of Sharjah and the Petroleum Institute. Recruting season generally begins in March/April. It's highly competitive.
I suggest you read through this forum for a sense of the situation in the Emirates. |
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whitecastle
Joined: 09 Oct 2015
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Thank you nomadsoul. Good to know. |
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whitecastle
Joined: 09 Oct 2015
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 5:18 am Post subject: |
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| I was told today by a recruiter not to bother trying for more than AED 12k per month. Seems like wages have fallen quite a bit? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 7:14 am Post subject: |
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| whitecastle wrote: |
| I was told today by a recruiter not to bother trying for more than AED 12k per month. Seems like wages have fallen quite a bit? |
Pretty much. It also depends on the employer and teaching situation. Plus, as I mentioned, peak recruiting/hiring season doesn't hit until around March/April. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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| whitecastle wrote: |
| I was told today by a recruiter not to bother trying for more than AED 12k per month. Seems like wages have fallen quite a bit? |
I wouldn't use a recruiter if I could avoid it. They are not always honest about the real situation. (they get paid if you are hired... so it is worth their effort to get you to accept any offer) The UAE is not a country where universities use them much, if at all... follow their websites and apply directly... usually through the websites. Start following these websites for openings for next Aug/Sept. There are sometimes openings for Jan/Feb, but not many.
That said, the first job is often hard to get, so it may not be quite what you want. But once that contract is finished, hopefully you can get into one of the better positions providing closer to what you want. One possible entry university level might Abu Dhabi University.
VS |
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Gulezar
Joined: 19 Jun 2007
Posts: 483
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| Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2015 6:08 am Post subject: Re: Best places to teach in Abu Dhabi / Dubai |
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| whitecastle wrote: |
Hi, I'm a long time reader of this blog and posting for the first time.
I have several years teaching experience and an MA in TESOL.
I am applying for jobs in the UAE and have read some less than flattering comments about HCT in particular as well as a couple of other schools.
I was wondering if someone could tell me which schools are known to have the best work environment and a decent salary. I am especially keen on Abu Dhabi as I have a sister working there and know the city quite well.
It would really help me and my family out a lot. Thanks! |
Many schools have a range for salaries for new hires, but AT PRESENT 12,000 AED does seem to be the kick off point for those who are new to the UAE. One way to negotiate the salary upwards in the range is to show that you actually are at the desired salary range already in your current position. This works best for those who are already in the region. If you wish to negotiate the salary, you do have to apply directly to the institution.
A major factor that will effect your take-home paycheck is how the housing is provided. Some institutions provide a cost of living allowance every month; others provide accommodations. In the former case, if your housing is less than the cost of living, you can pocket the difference; if your housing is more than the cost of living allowance, you lose.
If a position is in Dubai, I would probably take the accommodations provided, if that were an option. The rents in Dubai tend to fluctuate more so than in Abu Dhabi. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2015 6:40 am Post subject: Re: Best places to teach in Abu Dhabi / Dubai |
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| whitecastle wrote: |
I am especially keen on Abu Dhabi as I have a sister working there and know the city quite well.
It would really help me and my family out a lot. |
Are you expecting to bring dependents with you? If so, are any school aged? |
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whitecastle
Joined: 09 Oct 2015
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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Yes nomad I have a wife and a 4 year old girl.
Thanks veiledsentiments. I will try a more direct approach. One recruiter told me after I received 2 rejections that I might have better luck if I applied directly. Which is kind of a strange thing for a recruiter to tell you but he seemed to think the rejections occurred as the schools didn't want to pay the recruiter fees. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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| whitecastle wrote: |
| ... he seemed to think the rejections occurred as the schools didn't want to pay the recruiter fees. |
How refreshing... nice to see an honest recruiter. 
VS |
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dragonpiwo
Joined: 04 Mar 2013
Posts: 1650
Location: Berlin
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 5:05 am Post subject: my 10 cents |
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You would prefer Abu Dhabi and you have a wife and child?
My studio in Abu Dhabi cost 80,000 plus. School fees here are exorbitant.
Your wife will have to work.
On 12,000 plus housing you simply won't be able to do anything, let alone save.
The missus and I have spent almost 20,000 on air tickets to Europe and back.
Other Emirates are way cheaper, including Dubai. |
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whitecastle
Joined: 09 Oct 2015
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2015 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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I've been travelling to Abu Dhabi to visit my sister since 1997. I've grown attached to the place. 
I'm applying everywhere in the UAE. I'll take what I can get... |
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tmac-100
Joined: 23 Nov 2006
Posts: 137
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| Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2015 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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| whitecastle wrote: |
I've been travelling to Abu Dhabi to visit my sister since 1997. I've grown attached to the place.
I'm applying everywhere in the UAE. I'll take what I can get... |
Be careful what you wish for. The golden age is over. Wages are not conducive to saving much in AD nor in D. Listen to PS, VS and others who have wise words. Perhaps Al Ain or FJ or RAK can be more conducive to saving $$. All 3 cities are in drive-able distances to AD. Maybe Mandanat Zayad is another possibility for you as it is considered a "hardship posting" but relatively close to AD?? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 11:23 am Post subject: Re: my 10 cents |
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| Quote: |
| Your wife will have to work. |
Ditto that if you continue to be offered a mediocre salary and benefits. Hopefully your wife has qualifications for some type of work that can help her supplement the family income. |
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