Job Discussion Forums

[mcsam]

I desperately need some advice

I am in my 3rd year of teaching. I started in China but I broke my contract after 10 months. I know this will sound like an excuse but the reasons I broke it were:
1) The D.o.S at the school left and he was my mentor.
2) I was burnt out after teaching practically all kindergarten classes including a contract with a local kindergarten, and travelling to Europe to gain extra qualifications during my holiday time.
I next went to Vietnam and had a wonderful 9 months but I didn't have a contract. Long story, short. The company I was employed by offered me a contract on arrival which I refused to sign because of some dodgy wording, we negotiated a bit and when I was finally ready to sign the company was sold. The new company offered me a contract but by that time, I had managed to increase revenue by 30+% I felt I had qualified for a pay rise and medical insurance which they were not offering. It was a salary only contract.
I was then offered a contract in the U.A.E with all benefits so I accepted.
My problem is this:
I have been here for over a year and the first year was great. However, now I am in the second year the company I'm employed by has brought in a couple of new "experts". These people are primary school trained (both from Australia, not that that's a problem) but both have little or no EFL experience. They are both trying to impose new practices on myself and the local teaching staff without getting to know the level of the students or the local teaching staff.
E.g. The students should WRITE power point books in class in English. The level I am currently teaching is KG1 and these children can barely hold a pencil never mind write a story. To be honest after only 2 months of English they can't put together a sentence.
There are loads of other things but this is the freshest in my mind because it came up yesterday.
I am teaching/training local teachers in the state system but the curriculum we are using is from New South Wales in Australia, yes a native English speaking curriculum and most of the targets in it, IMHO,are unachievable by non-native language learners.
E.g. By the end of KG2 students should be able to choose an everyday item, discuss it's uses and suggest improvements that could be made.
Maybe I'm not pushing my children hard enough (or my local teachers, whose English levels range from beginner to pre-intermediate), but all or nearly all the children come to school without even being able to say hello.
Also in semester 2 I have been told that I will no longer be going into classes to "model" lessons. I currently teach half of the English/Maths/Science curriuclum and the local teachers teach with other half using the practices/ideas etc that have been modelled/planned in conjunction with me. I have as yet not been told what my new role will be but these decisions have been taken with no consultation/discussion.
I am not sure what to do next. I would like to stay to support the great team of teachers I work with (but who knows what my role would be) but I am becoming more and more disillusioned with the project and every day is a battle with the powers that be, which this year has turned from a democracy into a dictatorship.
Any advice would be greatly received.

Sorry if this is a bit long and rambling and please forgive and grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. I just had to get it all out

[MTelmar]

I don't think I have any advice to offer, but if it makes you feel any better/less insane/less 'complain'-y, last night, a few of us were seriously discussing six-week rotations in Libya as a more enjoyable/tolerable option... and we are in many ways much better off than you guys (I'm sure you know what I mean by that)
January is sure to be a very interesting time, in more ways than one.

ps: we'd love to have you in Libya with us, if we go

[KingEric]

Your life and happiness are more important.

[Takahiwai]

Hi there,
I reckon you have three options:

1. Stay and see out your contract, keep your head down and your mouth shut, take the money and make a promise to yourself never to work for this company again

2. Stay, fight your corner and look after your students' interests as best you can. As well you know, nobody else is going to do it. (And make a mental note never to work for this company again!)

3. Leave (but you'll be sorely missed!) - Oh! and rest assured that you've probably cooked your goose with the company

[Stephen Jones]

If the six week rotation in Libya was six on and six off it would be worth it. Unfortunately it's now six on and three off.

My advice is leave. These people are clearly as thick as a concrete post, and just as obstinate. When things start falling apart they'll be blaming you.

[veiledsentiments]

Some of these UAE contracts can be very frustrating especially since this program is very new and... chaotic. There has been a lot of teacher frustration in the last 2-3 years and lots of people have bailed out at various times of the year. That said, there are also some bright spots appearing here and there... but apparently not where you are.

Does your contract end in June or was it a 3 year contract? If it ends in June of this year, I would tough it out, give notice as required for leaving at the end of the contract, and focus on the children for the next semester.

Your management sounds clueless, but not vicious or vindictive... I assume that your pay is arriving promptly. It would look much better on your CV to complete the contract. Two full years at one location makes you look more stable to the next employer.

VS

[mcsam]

Thanks for the advice

Yes the management are clueless they do seem to think that the Western primary school system is the way to go regardless of the fact that the students are second language learners.

My contract runs out in July 2008 so 9 months to go. I would feel terrible if I left early but I'm not sure my mental health could stand another 9 months of this continual clashing. I could keep my head down until the end but I do have a problem with that especially if I think that my students, be they children or adults, are getting a raw deal.

I think the company may see me as a problem as I continually ask for justification when they try to impose something new and I can't see the logic behind it but of course a satisfactory answer is never given.

Another problem I have encountered recently is none of my collegues want to rock the boat so I find myself, most of the time, out on my own publicly but them agreeing with my privately. It's so frustrating!

I have posted my C.V on a couple of sites but have not "actively" applied for any jobs.

Please keep the advice coming. I value your opinion and I'm still not sure what to do.

It's a new week come tomorrow let's see what happens.

[veiledsentiments]

[mcsam]

I have to give 3 months notice

[QatarChic]

I was in a similiar situation a few years back so I understand what you are going through. You are thinking of your students first and know what's best for them, but they really don't seem to care. I for one would stick it out till July 2008, it looks better on your CV and it'll also give you experience along the way. Not long to go now.There are plenty of jobs out there.

[mcsam]

I have to admit to having a complete meltdown this morning. I have written out my letter of resignation but my boss (she is excellent and has been very supportive, it's all the other "experts" who get on my last nerve) came to see me and persuaded me not to send it until I've had a couple of "mental health" days off work.
I guess I'll see how I feel then.

[QatarChic]

mscam-so sorry to hear about that. I still think that after a few days if things don't get better or if you don't feel comfortable, then my advice would be to just leave in July or sooner. Don't be bullied into staying on at a place if you're not happy there....