Job Discussion Forums

Crimson · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 8

Hi all! I am new to the forum.I have read a lot of your posts now. V. interesting discussions. Well, here it is. I have been away from the UAE for five years, and it appears so much has changed. I worked at HCT RAK and Dubai for six and a half years. Came back to the UK in 2004. Went for a job in AD for a new KUSTAR/IAT job. Resigned after two weeks. That story is posted on the Kustar thread. Burnt!!! Position great, but lied to, etc.
After that experience, I have only just decided to try again. Very late, I know!!! Any thoughts on a good faculty position for someone with a masters TEFL: Reading Uni full-time, and 28 years experience??? Heard AUS is good???? Am out of touch, and most of my friends have left the UAE!!! I simply can't work at academic sweat shops in Oxford anymore!!! It is demoralising, and the most recent only paid me the rate of a CELTA teacher!!!

PLEASE HELP with suggestions!!! I can't reply to one of you directly as you have to post 25 to do that!!!

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

On your other thread, it suggested that you already had a job at AUS. It is very difficult to get a job there because people don't leave. July is very late... all of the best employers will have done their hiring. That said... once the semesters start, there are always some people who have to back out. And there is always some hiring for January starts.

I would suggest that you send off your CVs to places like ZU, AUS, UAEU. My rule has always been to avoid new places since they are always a disaster for the first year or two...

VS

Crimson · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 8

VS, thanks for your prompt reply. Yes, I know it's late. No, I didn't work for AUS. It was the disaster with KUSTAR/IAT. Really IAT who handled the recruitment, which you can see on the other thread.

I know that it is late now, of course. I did apply last year for the PI, and though I met with the director of the foundation programme a few years back, I could not proceed with my application due to personal reasons, so this time round I was not short-listed last summer. They did not get in touch till October.

Yes, I know the other organisations you mentioned from the past. I thought AUS stood for American University Sharjah, but don't seem to get a site for it. Am I mistaken? I will do what you suggest, and send off CVs. Who knows??!!! But I don't want a rerun of last year; as you have read my post on the other thread you can understand why!!! Currently, in the process of applying for a position with CfBT with teachanywhere. Can't remember why it has been mentioned that it is so awful, except points made by others with no direct experience. Anyone out there who does have direct experience who had a bad contract? Anyone out there who has had good experience??? Please advise as to AUS. I'm going for it anyway. No-one seems to mention Sharjah University, either. Any thing on that???

Thanks again.

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

I already answered you about AUS on the other thread. Laughing

It is the best in the Gulf and also the most difficult to get into. And yes, it has an extensive website... http://www.aus.edu/ which immediately came up on google for me.

Sharjah University now goes by the name of University of Sharjah or UoS... do a search and get the latest problems there. Not horrible yet, but it has gone downhill.

VS

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

Be warned that EVERYONE who has posted on these threads about CfBT has had personal experiences with them and this doesn't include those who send pm posts! Stay up to date with the threads over the summer to find out whether all those gathered together at one big table in the last week of school get paid their last month's salary now their visas have been cancelled.

If you don't understand how important the Letter of No Objection is to getting another job in the UAE, then you don't understand where CfBT left all its employees that the MD first threatened and then finally refused to give them to.

The CD over in Al Ain had 20 staff throughout the last school year. CfBT will be considering itself lucky to have 2 or 3 restart the 09 - 10 year.

Principals are now refusing to work with CfBT in their schools or have been moved on because the company failed them during 3 years of service in the school.

anaxiforminges · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 136 Location: UAE

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

There was an ad in the Gulf News yesterday for adjunct EFL positions at AUS - it might be worth a shot to send in your CV - the worst they can say is nothing is available now.

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

Of course the big question on this is whether if you are hired as an adjunct... is that a permanent situation? Would you be eligible when they needed a contract foreign hire teacher? Otherwise you are permanently screwed out of your benefits.

An ad at this time suggests the usual problem of not knowing student numbers for EFL as yet... as is common until they get all the new students tested.

VS

Afra · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 389

As an adjunct, AUS will not provide a contract which allows you to live in the UAE; nor will any other institute. They are looking for spouses who already have residency visas, that's why they advertise in Gulf News. There is no part-time work in the UAE unless you have a spouse as sponsor.