Job Discussion Forums

Chrisdaveloshoff · Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Posts: 36 Location: Sri Lanka

Hello,

For all those looking for teaching gigs for this coming Fall 2008 in the Gulf tertiary instutions, please do not hesitate to post your concerns on this forum and I will give you a detailed picture about the places (Positive & negative).

All the best.

xray · Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 24

Hiya not sure how you have all this information but am looking for more recent info on The UAE Academy.
Thanks

uaeobserver · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 236

As I understand it, the UAE Academy is presently a collaborative with U. Washington & the Abu Dhabi Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

The Academy aims to improve workplace readiness among UAE nationals --- and does so by offering simple, practical, coursework.

I believe it was mentioned in the NY Times article referenced elsewhere on this forum.

From what I recall, the staff size was fairly small (a dozen?).

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

I work for the UAE Academy in Al Ain. We have 9 English teachers, a number of IT teachers and some business communication teachers.

meteacher · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Posts: 60 Location: UAE

I would love to know more about the UAE Academy as I have an interview there soon. Read on previous posts that there were some problems with payment? Is this the case? Shocked

Would also love any other information about the campus in Abu Dhabi, teachers, salary, accommodation,etc.... Laughing

Thanks!

felizjulianidad · Joined: 21 Jan 2008 Posts: 11

Raffles, in Dubai. Uncertified teacher's chances?

xray · Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 24

Re UAE Academy thanks uaeobserver and Tom for the responses . Like Meteacher I would like to know whether pople reccommnd it or not.I have read previous posts but would like some updated info. However, since Tom works there and in a management role and uses his real name on this forum (?? Confused

) I doubt he can be expected to be too honest.

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

Well, you have to give him credit for not hiding behind a screen name. I've actually met a few honest management people over the years. Cool

He has to take care in what details he gives or his posts will be zapped as advertisements.

VS

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

I would recommend it because I work there. The Abu Dhabi campus is on 9th street. The teachers are a mix of native speakers some very experienced and other less so. The teachers I know are friendly and supportive. In terms of salary for English teachers - the usual contract is salary (based on qualifications and experience) plus a cash allowance for accommodation - again this is worked out dependent on your circumstances. You find your own accommodation. Plus the other usual benefits. It is a good gig if you are single or with a small family in Abu Dhabi as accommodation is very expensive. I know of a couple who started work for the academy recently and they enjoy a good life and are in digs they can afford.

meteacher · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Posts: 60 Location: UAE

Sounds good....thanks! Can you give any figures in terms of salary/accommodation? What about holidays?? How long do they give for hols? Sorry, lots of questions I know.... Shocked

kiefer · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 268

crocus · Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 79

Strongly agree with Kiefer.

I have friends in Dubai and Abu Dhabi whose husbands work outside the English teaching field, in 'good' jobs. Even among them, the ones who receive a housing allowance are starting to feel it bite. It's not enough to actually get into a house / apartment; then you have the hassle on an ongoing basis with the landlords who seem to keep trying to find a way round the rent caps.

Go for a job with accommodation or one where the organisation actually pays the rent directly to the landlord. You really do not need to get on this particular carousel!

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:25 am Post subject:

Don't forget the furnishing allowance Exclamation

kiefer · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 268

Never,

Yes, the furniture allowance can help offset the first year's expense, and it is generally a nice chunk of change. But the order of things generally goes: A. Find a place, B. Produce a lease C. Wait two weeks for the furniture allowance.

One solution is to live in long-term hotel-type apartments which come fully furnished. If your place of employment allows this, it's much easier to get out of whatever guest housing you've been assigned.

Then again, there's always a mooshkeela. Most employers demand you take an unfurnished flat with a year-long lease and the furniture allowance. My guess is that the furniture allowance is either some sort of local economic stimulus package or the Sheikh who owns Ikea has a lot of sway.

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

In terms of holiday English teachers tend to be offered 30 working days (6 weeks) + national holidays. Salary generally ranges from 9,000 to 12,000 but again this depends entirely on what position you are applying for. Many of the teachers who work for the academy were recruited locally. This means that you already had somewhere to live or have a network to find accommodation. Working hours are usually 7.30 - 3.30 and you would normally be expected to teach up to 20 contact hours per week. The students are extremely pleasant most of them are graduates.