Job Discussion Forums

shinjinrui33 · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 9

Hello�I am interested in teaching at a university in the Middle East beginning in August 2009. I have read many posts from the forums and would like more information in order to better discern the differences between some of the various countries. I will post this entry in forums for the various countries I am interested in and then compare the responses. As each position and school inevitably differs in its offerings, desired methodology, and positive/negative areas, I thought I should restrict my inquiries into more generalized topics. (For reference, if needed, I am an American with a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics with 6-7 years of teaching experience in Japan, China, and South Korea � mostly at university, but also have taught adults and children).

Teachers
What is the general teaching load in this country at the university level?

Are there in-service training and/or professional development opportunities generally available for the teachers?

Are schools/current teachers generally open to change and new ideas?

Students
What are the average students expectation of foreign teachers/English programs?

Are the students generally a homogeneous or heterogeneous group?

What is the favored (typical) learning approach�the approach the students are used to experiencing in an everyday classroom?

How much time will students actually spend on SLL?

Society
What is the general societal view of SLL/ESL? Is it supported? Resisted? Indifference?

Are there outside resources (English TV, radio, newspapers) that support SLL efforts?

Are professional organizations available to foreign teachers?

As I understand more about the learning situation of each country I can begin asking more detailed information about specific schools, programs, and daily life. So, any of the above information that you could provide insight on would be greatly appreciated!

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 6:28 pm Post subject: Re: Professional Questions

squareandfair · Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 43

Avoid Abu Dhabi U. Try Sharjah U which seems to be a civilized place.

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

Rumors are surfacing of big problems developing at the University of Sharjah. Many teachers seriously considering resignation... I am awaiting details from some trusted sources.

VS

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

If you're contemplating selecting the UAE, why don't you consider one of the PPP programs? You won't get better pay and conditions at any of the universities even though there's been a lot of problems with some of them. With your quals, I'd guess you'd do well to apply with Nord Anglia, Cognition, but only if you're from the UK, NZ or Australia in the case of the latter,or Mosaica.

SaharaDesert · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 260

Sunburnt Individual · Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 91

Nobody knows whose contracts are getting renewed?

Each school gets 3 years from the date that the provider entered the school is the impression that I was under. PPP1 was in elementaries and KGs, PPP2 was intermediates, and PPP3 is high schools, which means although this is year three, everyone would be here for at least two more years since this is the first year for the high schools.

I might be wrong though. Anyone know?

Sunburnt Individual · Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 91

I didn't reply to this post initially because the situation here is far too diverse between cities and schools to answer most of it properly. The questions asked aren't exactly yes/no or true/false.

shinjinrui33, it might be better to ask more specifically. Al Ain is a far cry from Dubai, Ruwais is a far cry from Abu Dhabi. It's a more diverse environment than people realize.

SaharaDesert · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 260

oopsss........

squareandfair · Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 43

Try the University of Sharjah. The rest of the places have problems but this place seems to be doing alright.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:28 pm Post subject:

Something tells me that the OP wasn't for real...

NCTBA

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

Yes, he was for real and got most of questions answered by PM and on other threads. This was just too general for most posters here to bother with... as I told him.

BTW... UoS seems to be developing management problems reminiscent of its beginnings when an Arab Dean decided that Westerners are not nearly as desirable as his fellow countrymen... especially TEFL teachers. They are eliminating between and mid-semester breaks, and extending the end of the academic year and moving up the beginning of the academic year... just for TEFL teachers. (who as we all know, are not "real academics") Many teachers are getting nervous about the direction things are going and are polishing up their CVs for TESOLArabia. I'm sorry to see this happening as it had become a pretty decent place to work after the complete disaster of the first few years with all the court cases.

VS

crocus · Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 79

Yes indeed. I'm unhappy, I'm nervous and I'm polishing! Sad

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

'...all the court cases...'

Which were those? And when?

shinjinrui33 · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 9

One of the best replies I have received! One of the reasons for the questions and multiple postings (in different country forums) was to see if there is any uniformity, which people often assume, within a specific country.

VS is right, I received far more PMs about these questions than public postings. Maybe everyone thinks some Big Brother is monitoring all postings! :p