Job Discussion Forums

[Dubai bound]

My family is thinking about moving to Dubai for the next school year. It seems like a lot of the top places to work (ie. Zayed, American University of Dubai, HCT, etc.) all have 40 hour work weeks. Is that true? I want a good paying job and benefits, but don�t want to be gone so much from my then 4 month old and 2 year old. (By the way, I have my Masters of Divinity and about 7 years of teaching experience.) I know I can do private tutoring, but we need a visa. (My husband wants to make horse contacts there, but probably can�t get a visa easily. He�ll be Mr. Mom it looks like! )If you have any suggestions of teaching work places (or even horse connections in Thoroughbreds , please let us know. We would greatly appreciate it!
ps. Is the economy looking good there? Any rumors of cutting back on English teachers?

[colt]

What are you planning on teaching? I don't think there is much call for Divinity teachers.

Hours at HCT vary depending on location. Some supervisors are anal about enforcing the 40 hour rule. At other locations, if you do your job, don't get complaints from students and get your paperwork done in a timely manner, you can come and go as you please. I come in early. but go from my classroom to my car at 2:15 regularly.

Since the whole country is on a one week holiday for Eid and National day, you may not get a lot of responses for a while.

[kiefer]

There are equistrian clubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah--if you haven't already done so, check out their contact information on their websites.

I don't suspect they'll be cutting back on the number of English teachers--all educational services continue to expand in fact. Salary and benefits might not continue to keep up with inflation making it harder for families to come to save what they once did. Now, though it's still a comfortable and secure lifestyle, many colleagues with families are living more and more pay check to pay check.

[adorabilly]

Hello DB.

So you are wanting to come to the UAE and be an english teacher. 7 yeasr experience is nice... but a Masters of divinity won't mean much to any of the upper tier schools. do you have any efl/esl certification?

There are lots of schools which may hire you to teach english, or even be a primary school teacher. (do a search in wikipedia for UAE and EDUCATION and you should find a huge list of the schools in the UAE.

the economy here in the UAE is still doing well, though there are rumbles about credit and real estate.

As for the 40 hour work week.. what do you expect? if you are working full time, then you need to be there full time. Like with most positions, you can find some that will let you cut out early and some that don't.

The other issue is do you have your heart set on Dubai, or will any of the 7 emirates in the UAE work? You may be able to find jobs in the smaller emirates easier.

[adorabilly]

edit. Double post. Please delete

[Dubai bound]

Thanks for all of your responses! It is a time of uncertainty so we appreciate any imput. I�ve taught for 7 years in university setting with a Masters (of Divinity, but it didn�t seem to matter here if there was a need.) I do have a year long TESL degree as my minor in undergraduate work. Will it be impossible to teach at the better schools without a related Masters?
Please tell me which branches of HCT and any other school that are more flexible. I like the idea of being home at 2:15 to be with family.
Thanks again!

[adorabilly]

Hi DB.

Lets see.. will it be impossible? No, just very unlikely. They are required by the ministry of education to have certain paper credentials, and that MA in applied linguistics, TEFL, TESL, TESOL is a very big deal and rather hard for you to get around. I know of several individuals with MA's in history, Political science, law etc.. who have teaching experience who can't get jobs as ESL instructors... so don't be surprised if your MA in divinity doesn't do anything.

Now it is possible to pick up adjunct work for HCT, ADU, Zayed, etc... w/out the MA... but even that is getting harder to come by.

Are you a certified US teacher? If so, then you could probably look for work among the International schools spread around the emirates. With a US teachers certificate, you would be getting a decent salary and benefits package. And usually with those jobs you are done at 3:30.

And if you are a year away, there just might be time for you to get US certification ... they aren't that hard to do (well not in all states)

[veiledsentiments]

Just a note. When one applies to HCT, it goes to central HR. You do not get to choose your branch... they put teachers where they need them. About the only time you get a choice is if for some reason you want one of the less desirable branches. (which currently seems to be Sharjah, Fujairah, and MZ)

It is luck of the draw. And your credentials may also cause problems - again this depends on supply and demand.

VS

[Stephen Jones]

Sheikh Mohammad is one of the largest horse owners in the world.

I met a Scotsman some years back who trained horses in Dubai, so the jobs are there if your hubby has the expertise and contacts.

[smedini]