Job Discussion Forums

[Kipling]

Any info on these guys,CfBT Education Trust, would be welcome.
I have BA Humanities, CELTA plus 10+years teaching mostly pre+ post graduates.
I am doing an online MA TESOL with a very reputable uni in the UK.
Cheers Mr K

[helenl]

There's been a few threads on this outfit recently, the search function should help you find them. From what comments were posted, they're an organization (in the UAE, Oman, etc.) to be avoided.

[Kipling]

Cheers .............the search is on.
Mr K

[Zoot]

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[Tom Le Seelleur]

Kipling
Not all the postings have been negative. i know of a number of cfbt employees who are quite satisfied with the work. Management in the whole of the Middle East is not the same as elsewhere. Cfbt is quite successful in Malasia and Oman, daves tends to bring out the worst in people and is an easy forum to criticise and rarely a forum that praises.
good luck
Tom

[BOBBYSUE]

Kipling - I work for CfBT in Brunei and I do not doubt that Zoot has good reason to be angry at CfBT. However, bear in mind that Zoot and one other poster are the main critics of CfBT - at least one of them said they had been fired by the organisation at some point, so hardly surprising. Also when they refer to all the criticism you can read, be aware it is mostly theirs! Valid opinions, yes, but just the opinions of a couple of people. I know people working for cfBT in the UAE and actually they say they're not too bad. In Brunei they're mostly good, I think.

[allyp]

I have worked for them. Not one kind word to say about them. It was hell. Check the history there is more than two people.
I can only comment about Abu Dhabi.

[Zoot]

Tom, read back carefully through these forums and you'll see there aren't only two people complaining. Outside of Brunei which seems to have a good record, there have been no positive postings about them and that includes Oman and Malaysia as I was once admonished for having said they had seemed to be successful in Asia. If you'll remember, someone said about their performance in Qatar, they failed miserably and the person who failed there was just moved on to Abu Dhabi and is now second in charge. Oman is barely managing to manage we've also been told.

[jdl]

Kipling,

"Salt,salt,salt...take plenty of salt with it". When was the last time a positive post was made about an employer except in defence after a lengthy diatribe. Be wary of making any career decisions based primarily on what is read here. Friends, colleagues and former employers/instructors etc. tend to be more reliable. The trustworthiness and veracity of the message is often inseparable from that of the messenger. Good luck. Oman is a wonderful place to live by the way!

[Zoot]

Tom, I was intrigued enough by your comments to check out this organization in Oman on these forums. Go have a look at what has been said there.

bobbysue - I don't know whether you're being paid to advertise for CfBT, but it's clearly been established you are happy in Brunei, which has also been established on these forums as being unique in its performace as an employer. More than 2 people are complaining about them in the UAE. Have you actually read all the threads ?

What is most important to remember about being hired by CfBT in the UAE is that if an employer chooses to get rid of you at their whim, not only a job is lost, but also accommodation, health care cover, school fees for children, flights and any other wonderful promise they've made.

[carlen]

edit

[Zoot]

allyp, was your experience confined to Abu Dhabi the city? I've heard those who've managed to survive the onslaught of AA's CD in the last 2 years get out asap, and that means either getting out of AA or the organization itself.

Tom, where were the happy employees you know located? Are they still there?

They certainly are down to engaging a number of agents to do their hiring for them as their name and its meaning as an employer now precedes them. Job Fairs and TESOL Arabia seemed to highlight that this year.

[Kipling]

Thank you for all the posts , I am a grizzled old fart and know how to read through the lines. I also know that some can vent against old employers but that is ok ...everybody has a right to give their experiences as they see fit and it's up to us to make an objective decision...... so thanks everyone who posted. The current ad is below



UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Abu Dhabi City UAE [FastView] 09 May, 2009
ESL Trainers Abu Dhabi
Teachanywhere.com

ESL Teachers needed by UK Education Trust - top salary of 225,000 AED per year + housing, flights, school fee allowance for children, bonus and more for August 09 start.

Working in a school reform project within a team, you will improve the level of English of local primary/secondary school teachers.

Must have degree+TEFL cert and 3+ years of experience. Native English speakers trained/exp in US, UK, IRE, AUS, NZ, CA or South Africa only with ability to speak Arabic is a big PLUS.


I think I could fit the bill for this no problem, but they must offer schooling allowance , no split shifts and pay on time, generally do right by me and it is reciprocated etc. Actually an August start is laughable if the visa procedure is the same as KSA
Is this a good deal????
Cheers Mr K

[allyp]

I think you will find 225000 is their top wage, Look through the TES site, they are more or less permanently advertising for staff there. Their older adds listed salary. From memory 225000 was for an management advisor, 175000 for teacher advisors and I don't remember ESL wages but lower again.
http://www.tes.co.uk/jobsSearchResults.aspx?keywords=cfbt&cmd=AddPm&val=JOBCATEGORYCODE|10875

CfBT are one of eight providers. Unfortunately you don't hear about the others here. CfBT does attract negative comments for a reason. I worked for them and in no way would I recommend them.

Do your homework, apply for a couple of the others. I now get paid 30% higher than I did at CfBT for a similar role. Again not sure of your role.

Good Luck!

[Kipling]

allyp wrote;