Job Discussion Forums

ehsanelahi5 · Joined: 23 May 2005 Posts: 3 Location: London

Dear all,

I wondered if someone could help me. I am a newly qualified teacher who has been offered a job as an English teacher at a primary school. They are offering me 5900AED per month which is little in comparison to the GBP. I wondered if soneone knew how much salary to expect as a new teacher with a Masters Degree in tefl and a year's experience ?????

Also I havent got a clue about the repute of the school either so if anyone knows please please do help!!! I don't know what the living standards are like but they offered me accomodation (on the premises)flights and a 2 yr contract....Does it sound good or are they being cheeky?

Please advise!!!!

Kind regards

E5

grand fromage · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 131

It sounds a bit low. I don't know the school but I would be suspicious of any school that is privately run in the UAE. People might not agree with me but it seems education is a big business around these parts. Unfortunately, underpaying teachers and overworking them is a trend that increases their profit margins. BTW, you mention that you have a Master's degree in TEFL, right? Just that should get you at least 11000 and decent 0ff-site accomodations and the full expat package. It might also help you find a job despite not having much experience. Don't sell yourself low Wink

Good luck deciding.

P.S. if you want this job, ask them for a couple of e-mails of western teachers currently working for them as references. Non-western teachers are often so intimidated they'll say anything to keep their jobs. Threats of firing and the dreaded visa bans are often enough to convince people to compromise themselves Sad

QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

5900 is very low!!! Surprised

I was offered 8900 AD and turned it down as well as I thought it wasn't enough!!! Mad

Never settle for second best Cool

Russell Hadd · Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 181

Go to the Job Information Journal where there are two posts which more or less tell it as it is. It has one of the worst, if not the worst, reputations in Abu Dhabi. I find it amazing over the years the number of teachers I've met who did a year there and have horror stories to tell about the whole place including the accommodation. Most also found they needed to take on extra work to make the experience worth it.

Tuttifruitti · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 75

For the qualifications you have, that's a really low salary. I had friends working there about 10 years ago and they were on about the same salary!!
I don't know anyone there now, but at that time, the salary was fixed from the day you arrived and there were no increments. In most other schools you get a yearly increment.
If you don't specifically want Abu Dhabi, private schools in Dubai offer higher salaries and there are lots more schools to choose from. If you're set on going to Abu Dhabi, then try The British School Al Khubeirat if you are British. They offer a high salary, probably the best in Abu Dhabi for a private school. You work hard for it, but at least you get the money!

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

They are way beyond cheeky into downright insulting!!

Are you only interested in teaching children? Are you only interested in the Emirates or Abu Dhabi?

Your MA plus one year might be able to get you into a job at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman if they are still hiring. The pay is less than usual in the Emirates, but certainly better than this... and the working conditions are vastly superior.

VS