Job Discussion Forums

[mousette]

If you do decide to go to Al Hosn, make sure you see a copy of the contract up front, - not just a Memorandum of Understanding. And, make sure you read it. This was my mistake. I signed the Memorandum of Understanding although many of the promises were not recorded in the Memorandum. By the time I got to the UAE, and was given the contract, the original negotiations were "forgotten" or "mistaken" and were not honoured. Get a copy of the full conract in advance and after you get there be prepared to leave if the situation is unsatisfactory.

I work for a much better organization for several years now, in the UAE, with a team of educators I enjoy and respect. If you have a Masters Degree and experience, you can do better than the offer and situation you will get at Al Hosn.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[BrownSauce]

My better half has (had?) a colleague who went to work there, and apparently she only stayed a month or so. She reported an awful scenario on all fronts - students, colleagues, AND management.

Usually you get at least ONE of those factors turning up trumps, but to have all three riding on the misery train must have been the most dispiriting thing imaginable.

Can't say I heard any great things about the salary either, and the contract always seemed to be a 'work in progress', if you get my drift.

Seems to be a place that's well worth avoiding, anyway

[uaeobserver]

Evening, all - hope your weekend is going well.

I've tutored students from the University.

The school tries - but really can't deliver quite as well as ZU and HCT.

Most of the students I worked with were "mature" (not traditionally aged) and didn't have the option of attending HCT or ZU. My students were bright and industrious (which is my requirement for a tutoring arrangement) - but it seemed the school wasn't quite delivering everything they needed.

Looking at the assignments, the teachers from there were more likely to have taught using old-school memorization (memorize - but skip the understanding part). Personally, I prefer a less didactic approach - but hey - what do I know --- I'm just a teacher.

Perhaps the University is working on changing its programs... That would be good.

[007]

I think Prof. Sabouni will be upset if he reads this thread!

[I have been there]

NCTBA: hahahaha. In this case, I have... unfortunately.

I forgot to mention that about 6 months or so after I left Al Hosn, the VP called my wife at 2:00 in the morning asking for me and claiming "we know where he went..." whatever, that means, and a few other silly comments and questions. He was just being childish but that is what he is like. Lied constantly, and then seemed to get pissy if he when he was called out on it.

Anyway, good riddence as far as I am concerned. Working is much better elsewhere.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

May the winds be at yer back an' the sun in yer face, mate!
Saying "Goodbye" isn't the easiest thing, but once it's said...

NCTBA

[mousette]

When I was there, it was highly prescriptive and memorization was considered to be the desired outcome. Anything innovative that was presented was treated with a mixture of ridicule and outright disrespect--some of the behaviour was shameful.

The exception to this are those colleagues with whom I remain friends (they got out of there as soon as possible too).

To I Have Been There - I am not surprised in the least. A friend of mine was verbally threatened with "I can make things difficult for you - cause serious problems if you leave - wherever you go".

As I said, it was a toxic environment. Thank God, I got out.

[I have been there]

Yeah, Mousette, the VP was... well... he was something else. Disgusting. Good riddence...

Glad to hear things are going well for you, too.