Job Discussion Forums

eha · Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 355 Location: ME

'Anyone who says this must have never spent 8 hours periods with 30 4-year-olds on a day-to-day basis. I think I came home every day and had a glass of wine and a shower. The kids are wonderful, and it's a fun experience but it truly is hard work, just not of the academic nature.'

Sorry--- it sounded wrong! I didn't mean it's not hard work; Good God, even 5 4yr-olds would be exhausting! I just meant they must be so sweet, and I'm sure you wouldn't be getting demoralising 'Teacher Evaluations' from them at the end of term! (This teacher is too strict; doesn't give us As; doesn't allow jokes in class, etc. -- Better not go into the definition of a joke in this context!)

Camelracer · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 9

Hi Lynda, how are you? I am new to this forum. I am presently living in Oman. Your post about Al-Ayn is very positive. I enjoyed reading it. I will be leaving Oman at the end of my two year contract and I have been contemplating about going to UAE. I am interested in knowing whether there are any universities in Al-Ayn as I am more used to teaching university graduates. Thanks Smile

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

For teaching university level, you usually need an MA or at least BA+CELTA + a few years of related academic experience. Your choices would be UAEU or HCT - but if you apply to HCT, there is no choice of location and it could be anywhere in the country.

VS

Iamherebecause · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:40 am Post subject:

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

Actually this is a fluctuating requirement in the Emirates over the last few years. When I was in the Gulf it was absolutely essential or so they said at every university, but then when you arrived, they were always a few teachers short and took whatever housewife they could find with a basic education degree - and help them get a CELTA.

Then in the last few years, here on the board, people have mentioned places who were expanding and would take good BA+CELTA people - and then push them to get MAs.

That is why I say "usually." It is stated in their ads, but... not always true in practice. But, I would strongly suggest that anyone who wants to make this a career and guarantee a better wage, and MA is really the only way. They do love those pieces of paper in the Gulf, and it will improve your possibilities with the best of the lot.

VS

Camelracer · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 9

To Veiled sentiments and Co. I have a Masters degree in TEFL from an English university and I have a BA (Honours) in an unrelated subject. I have one and a half years experience in teaching in Oman at a university teaching EAP. My other two years come from Japan and Syia but pre-Masters. Thanks for the replies.
Camelracer

Iamherebecause · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:34 am Post subject:

Well if you like the sound of the place it's easy to have a look from Oman. Unless you are in Salalah.

Of the universities in Al Ain UAEU is the only one worth working for (and even then...) You will have seen the reports on Abu Dhabi University Al Ain Branch, Al Ain University of Science and Technology and the nearby Buraimi University. All best avoided.

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

holbrook · Joined: 14 Jun 2003 Posts: 60

There is also the HCT which has two campuses in Al Ain. The pay is a bit higher than UAEU/UGRU but with longer working hours. UGRU is clearly the best value for time/money, although housing can be hit or miss with this lot. HCT would offer better pay, regular increments and better housing (usually). For all of this, however, you will work an hour or two more each day and have 2 to 3 weeks less vacation than the UAEU faculty have.

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

Actually I did mention it upthread, but the problem is when you drop your application into the pile at HCT, you have little control over which branch they will put you in. Some people get their first choice, but most do not.

VS

Camelracer · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 9

Thanks for the replies from Iamherebecause / holbrook / veiled sentiments. Sorry for not replying earlier, I was busy at work preparing lessons. I feel secure here at the moment, and the Dean appears to want me to stay. Still I need to consider my best options - better life, money, resources etc. I would like to stay in a university environment. Places which teach ESP like Aramco, Qatar Petroleum, Petroleum Institute, LNG, seem to be treating teachers like slaves. Thats despite the fact that my dissertation thesis was on ESP! One lead was the Institute of Applied Technology - I got a phone call today from them asking me for a telephone interview. I accepted to do it tomorrow. However after reading the many negative posts about it, I think Im in a better place at the moment. The HCT hasn't replied to my application. I'm looking at UAEU and UGRU - but what do they stand for exactly. I hope to hear from you soon. Finally, where in the UAE exactly is TESOLArabia? Thanks for the replies.

Camelracer

Iamherebecause · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:52 pm Post subject:

UAEU = United Arab Emirates University, the oldest state funded tertiary place in the UAE. In Al Ain.

UGRU = University General Requirements Unit, the foundation programme. Possible about to be restructured. Has a bit called ESP which teaches generic ESP. Yes, you heard that right!

TESOL Arabia is at HCT in Dubai, there's a web-site. You have to pay extra to register for the job-shop which seeing as you can't go to many sessions if you are serious about shopping for a job is a tad unfair.

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

VS said:

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

I think they only ask to be polite. Laughing

It is mostly a matter of luck and timing... now and again wasta helps. If you have a friend at a branch and they have pull with a manager, a good word might help you out.

Other than that it's a crapshoot...

VS