Job Discussion Forums

[Milwaukiedave]

[globalnomad2]

But hagwons are not universities, right--aren't they language schools? Comparing apples and oranges. Universities/colleges should be like universities and colleges. I found, at HCT, that I was glad to have a job, at first, that paid well, with increments, good housing, etc., and was stimulating in some ways--and even let me do my own thing pedagogically. It was a fairly professional environment in some ways and very unprofessional in the sense of having these factory-like line supervisors. Eventually the college wore me down and i found something better.

[Milwaukiedave]

Global,

I can see where your coming from. Certainly I'm after about the same thing as you, which is some solid experience. After that finding something else maybe easier.

I also agree you can't really compare hagwons to universities, but at the same time that's where I draw most of my experience from so it's hard for me to know what to compare to it. Which is why I'm asking so many questions in such a hurry.

[like2answer]

[veiledsentiments]

One constant at HCT through the last 15 years that I have been following them is that conditions at various branches tend to have their ups and downs. Good management and good teachers come and go... as do the bad examples of both.

In my 2 contracts there, I met some of the most professional competent teachers and managers in my teaching career... and some that I certainly wouldn't have hired if I had been on the committee. Some of those good ones are still there, though I have to say that their tolerance for the negatives is quite amazing.

Most of the problems are certainly in the foundations English program which is the biggest and the most problematic... as is true at all the educational institutions in the Gulf. To me one of the most telling details is that considering the large numbers of teachers they have or have had over the last 15 years, how few of them come on here to complain... even after they have left and fear of losing their job is no longer an issue. And almost all of their teachers complete their contracts... runners are very rare.

VS

[NadiaK]

Oh I'm sorry, I thought you actually knew the people whose integrity and professional competence you are insulting. Of course if you had worked for the HCT in Fujairah, I'm sure you would know that some of their teachers are among the most dedicated, hard-working and skilled teachers one is likely to have the privilege of working with.

[Dedicated]

I totally agree with you, Nadia. I have several close friends who work in HCT Fujairah, and they are a very hard-working, dedicated ,professional group. However, they are the ones who are complaining about working alongside "non-professionals", who appear to be taking over and undermining their good work

MOD edit

[Grendel]

MOD edit

I suggest our info seeker check out VS' remarks on HCT; while I sometimes disagree with her, I can see she tries hard to tell the truth.