Job Discussion Forums

[wailing_imam]

Greetings.

I have applied for the UAEA position recently advertised on this site, but have absolutely no idea what I am actually applying for and what the necessary qualifications are.

I have five years ESL experience in Saudi, Indonesia, China and Singapore, and this includes some experience teaching in high schools.

Can anyone answer any of the following questions for me?

1) How many students do they put in a class in these schools?

2) How empowered is a teacher in taking disciplinary measures?

3) How many hours does a teacher usually have to teach weekly?

4) Are the classes segregated?

5) I read a post on this site describing teachers feeling physically threatened by students? WHAT IS THIS ABOUT?

6) What are the facilities like in these institutions?

7) What is an acceptable salary for Al-Ain?

Is accomodation usually provided? What's it like?

Thanks.

WI

[younggeorge]

Since I'm working for ZU, which is operating a similar scheme for other schools in the Abu Dhabi emirate, I'd better not answer questions about pay and conditions, for which our deal could be different from the UAEU package. Information about the schools should be the same though.

Students per class: 20-25

Disciplinary measures: local/regional teachers tend to resort to physical punishments pretty quickly. This is something we're trying to cut out, and I expect UAEU is too. You're pretty much "empowered" to do anything you want, but you'll need to discuss exactly what the options are with the UAEU project manager.

Contact hours: 18 per week (18 * 45 minute sessions)

Not only classes but whole schools are segregated. Male teachers will work in boys' schools, female teachers in girls' schools.

'Physically threatened': the boys' schools can be pretty rough. Students are not motivated and have little respect for education or teachers. However, that's often the case in UK or the USA as well. That's why we (ZU) are emphasising high school training and experience over an ESL background.

Facilities? What facilities? It varies, but you can't count on much other than a chalk board or a white board. Some schools have TV/video available, some have a computer lab. But whether they work and whether you'll be allowed to use them is another matter. Improvement in resources is supposed to go alongside the 'native speaker teachers' project, and some resources may be provided by UAEU, but you'll need to be pretty independent.

Qualifications: as I said, a high school teaching qualification is what we're really looking for but in view of the need to recruit a large number of teachers quickly, a degree, CELTA and experience might be accepted.

But personally, if you don't have high school teaching qualifications or experience, I wouldn't recommend it - the job is doable if you're well prepared, but if you're not then you're in for a really tough time.

[veiledsentiments]

I'd say that Younggeorge has given you the best overview possible, but I just wanted to emphasize one thing.

This is a new program, so the details are very murky. Since there have been no past teachers... and the situation will vary between schools, the rules are likely to change as bugs are worked out.

These jobs are going to require experienced, flexible teachers who can go with the flow and deal with the unexpected. Each candidate is going to have to decide whether the pay package that they are offered is enough to compensate for the inevitable bumps on the road.

I would expect that accomodation or an allowance is provided as that is the standard in the Gulf. Depending on where you are, it can range from borderline to very nice. Expect to have to put in a bit of money the first year to make things more comfortable, but it should have basic furnishings (or an allowance).

VS

[Manny2]

I totally agree with VS that these positions will require very experienced and flexible teachers, and they may as Younggeorge says be better suited to qualified high school teachers.

However, as the plan is supposedly to improve the level of English one should not underestimate the need for highly qualified and experienced ESL teachers and I do not agree that a degree and CELTA is sufficient.

Most high schools here are in appaling condition with very few resources and I wouder how will these young fairly inexperienced teachers, in what will be a predominantly Arabic speaking environment, cope. Plus if the positions are in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain they will need a reasonable accommodation allowance, and if they are outside the cities I presume it could be quite isolating.

The package would want to be alot more than average if they want to attract the best people, and people who will persevere in the face of large classes, very unruly boys ( for the male teachers), poor English language abilities of the students and the school management , poor to non-existant resources and you may be living or sharing poor accomodation.

But nobody really knows and the current advertisements are not giving alot of details either.

[wailing_imam]

Thanks for all the information. Very helpful.

WI

[Iamherebecause]

Given that the ads are so vague it's hard to know if it's worth pursuing. Has anyone started applying for the ZU or UAEU posts and actually got more information out of the system? I know people who might be interested in going to the UAE, it's a good place to work in many ways, but I don't want to recommend they apply if the jobs are unrealistic (i.e. vile hours and/or working conditions and/or underpaid).

[Manny2]

It would seem to me that the ads are particularly vague as the package will not be attractive or that the institutions involved have not actually finalised their packages!

Although I believe an earlier post mentioned in the region of DH12000 being offered fron ZU. ZU is also looking to hire for the primary sector as is CFBT who seem to be sharing that contract with them. CFBT details available on their website http://www.cfbt.com/workus/abu_dhabi_tadv.html.

As I said on an earlier post I believe that how good a deal you get will ultimately depend on who recruits you.

[Janeee]

Has anybody that has applied for these high school posts heard anything back yet? I applied about a month ago and haven't been contacted.

[wailing_imam]

Yes, I have heard back.

They said they were interested in my application and asked me to fill in an official application form online and send them a copy of the info page of my passport so that the clearing process could begin. I am waiting for them to contact me regarding an interview.

Still waiting....

[younggeorge]

OK, good luck. If you glean anything of general interest from your interview, please post it here.

[younggeorge]

[ALPH]

I did a tele- interview for UAEU hi-school position a month back with a Ms F D and K S from Zu. I had to tease out info re class size - yes, on occasion, there might be 30+ boys in the class. They asked how capable i am at motivating students which confirmed my suspicions ie. trying to control 30 testosterone fuelled teenage boys with little interest in learning English. Ms F asked how i felt about a 3 year contract 'in an isolated place.' I wonder how Ms F herself might feel in a similar position - rather hard for her to imagine i guess from her comfy little number in the Personnel Dept at ZU university.
anyway, it tells me as much as i wish to know - i would be roped into a 3 year contract in the back end of beyond teaching 25+ students 20 hrs per week.. Then, after i crack up, i will be penalised financially for breaking contract when i seek out psychiatric help.
These folk will advertise giving little or no info until they find some poor donkey with no self-respect who is willing to accept a base salary before he drops dead from mental exhaustion and abuse ..
Dont touch it with a bargepole.
I expected more from ZU.
Good luck ..

alph

(MOD edit for names)

[cam]

Has anyone accepted one of these high school positions yet? If so, could you share some details of what you have been offered? Also, does anyone know if they are still recruiting?

[Iamherebecause]

The UAEU 'managed' bit of the project has been deferred for at least a year. This was announced a couple of weeks ago. Not sure where Zayed University are up to with there bit of the project. In the UK CfBT are involved - they were recruiting consultants at one stage.
There is another thread, UAEU high school positions - just say no; it gives a bit more information.

[younggeorge]

ZU is still waiting for confirmation. An August start looks increasingly unlikely.