Job Discussion Forums

Santiago Matamoros · Joined: 23 Jan 2009 Posts: 26 Location: Spain

Hi!

I am considering teaching in the UAE. Can anyone recommend a decent recruitment agency? I am from the UK and hold both a Cambridge CELTA and a postgraduate qualification in education.

Any help appreciated.

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

The vast majority of teachers sensibly avoid recruiters and apply directly. You didn't mention your experience and what level you are interested in teaching.

The Ministry of Education is currently using recruiters for their re-vamp of K-12 education in the public schools, but it requires a legitimate teaching certificate from your home country. If you search for ADEC or Teachaway, you will find threads on this. For the international schools, again apply directly.

By "postgraduate degree" do you mean an MA? If you have a closely related MA (TEFL/TESL or Applied Linguistics) and related experience, apply directly to the many tertiary institutions... HCT, ZU, UAEU, etc.

VS

Santiago Matamoros · Joined: 23 Jan 2009 Posts: 26 Location: Spain

I have had 6 years experience in teaching. Ideally I would like to work in tertiary education. I hold a Cambridge CELTA and a postgraduate diploma in education (French). I don't have a masters degree. Thanks for your help.

BigGuy · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 34

It's impossible to get a tertiary job with the 3 national universities (UAEU, HCT, ZU) without a Masters.

Maybe you could get lucky and get a job with any one of a number of other tertiary institutions like --- Dubai University, Abu Dhabi University, Petroleum Institute, branches of a number of western universities, but it's not so likely.

If you want good, secure employment in the Gulf, you need a Masters-- one positive aspect of the EFL field in the Gulf, i.e. high standards.

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

I thought PI also required an MA... or they seemed to in the past. AUS definitely does, and UoS too, I believe.

The lack of an MA definitely pushes one to second tier, less desirable employers.

VS

Splitting Hairs · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 99

Rubbish. Know many people without an MA in 'top' universities including Pi, HCT, Khalifa, PPP (very well paid) ECAE, without an MA. An MA can certainly help if you want to work for some of the universities like ZU, AUS, UAEU but between you and me they are not all they are cracked to be in terms of teaching and learning..
On the other hand, with your 6 years, Post Grad education and CELTA - the PPP/ADEC employers will be looking for people next semester and they pay as well if not better than the university jobs. Hard work but very rewarding.

Pikgitina · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 420 Location: KSA

If not an MA, then at least a BA + a TEFL Diploma (e.g. DELTA).

VETI employs teachers with only a BA + CELTA. They'll probably pay you AED10,000 more (than the other mentioned employers) per month, provide single accommodation in addition to a housing allowance of AED20,000. However, from what I hear, one has to put in LONG hours and eat up quite a lot for that high salary.

Good luck!

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Just looking at the VETI website should scare most people - (a) it's incomplete and entirely generic except for inserting the words Abu Dhabi here and there and (b) there is nothing about the school(s) or faculty - both BIG red flags.

I sure hope they offer at least 10000 more than HCT UAEU and PI etc per month - the ambiguity let alone the implied uncertainty would warrant it.

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

GlobalDawg · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 91

Pikgitina wrote:

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

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

I'm not clear on what kind of salary and or benefits VETI is supposedly offering employees?

Perhaps Globaldawg or Pikgitina could provide some clarification: Base monthly salary, allowances (please let us know if they are monthly or yearly) and I believe Pikgitina mentioned long hours - longer than the 40 preferred hours at HCT for example?

I checked both the AD and AA websites again, there is only a list of the top management, no mention of any job openings under "careers" and no information about the working conditions and expectations (i.e. qualifications and experience; contact/prep hours; etc.) for instructors.

The lack of any information on their websites about who is currently working for them and what the schools expect of their faculty does not exactly inspire confidence.

Dervish Finkelblatt · Joined: 13 Nov 2009 Posts: 32 Location: West Hollywood

I am more or less in the same boat. I believe I have the credentials and experience to teach just about anywhere...my problem is where to begin. I have been out of the Emirates for so lang and I know the place has changed dramatically during my long absence.
Years ago, I worked under a military contract that was in every regard ..excellent. but I guess those kinds jobs are few and far between these days...at least, in the UAE. I also worked-briefly-at the Higher Colleges in Abu Dhabi..and despised it...so that's out. Anyway, a friend working there told me they are generally loathe to hire Americans in the first place.
I've read some good things about the Petroleum Inst....I am a little leery of the Universities that have sprung up...as the packages do not seem very attractive.
I was hoping for at least $5,000 a month+housing+ air tickets+ 8 weeks vacation. Am I fooling myself?

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Don't discount HCT out of hand, a LOT depends on the campus and director - but then you have little or no choice in where you'll go.

PI has had some problems since the Colorado School of Mining "lost" the contract and a Michigan school has taken over - mainly because of higher management mismanagement of funds, supposedly. However, perhaps Vera Lynn can give us an update on what's happening this semester?

AUS and ZU both seem to tootle along quite nicely, I know people at both and they're satisfied and we don't get many postings (disgruntled or otherwise) here at Dave's from either campus. Maybe they're good prospects for you if you have the quals?

GlobalDawg · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 91

helenl, I know no more than what I learned after accessing both of the websites and gathering information, yesterday. At that time there were job offerings for ESL teachers and an ESL head teacher (it appeared that only one position was being offered) on the Abu Dhabi website. There were also pdf files for the applications and the job descriptions for both positions. There was also information that indicated that the closing date for the jobs was Nov. 13th which was Friday. I just went back to the Abu Dhabi website and there is a notice posted that no vacancies are available. Before reading this thread yesterday, I had never heard of VETI. My response in relation to your post was merely to suggest that GTZ, from what I know about it, is a reputable organization; I provided background information on the organization based on personal experience.