Job Discussion Forums

disregardedknowledge · Joined: 12 Nov 2008 Posts: 63

Can anyone share some info about Zayed Univ? I have heard a lot of positive things about the EFL positions. True? I would really appreciate some insight relating to the pay and housing of various teachers with Zayed: normal full-time teacher/professors, Adjunct, and the Academic Bridge Program. Are are of these positions worth pursuing? Feel free to PM me. THANKS!

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

ZU is definitely worth pursuing, but I'm a bit confused about what kind of job you are looking for. I certainly would avoid any job with the word "adjunct" in its title... to me it is the synonym of teacher abuse. (do the work and don't get the benefits... only acceptable for the spouse of someone with a fancy expat contract Cool

)

As to the combination of pay, benefits, and conditions - for either an MA TEFL or a PhD content - it is second only to AUS... IMHO... (at least for Americans because of the SS benefit).

For both of these employers, it is not easy to get an offer. You need a good CV and references to get an offer. Are either of them nirvana? No... but just better than the rest of the pack at the moment.

VS

GlobalDawg · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 91

I agree with VS that ZU is worth pursuing. I was very pleased with the interview content and discussion when I interviewed with them. I was encouraged and gained a greater measure of respect for the organization when I met the director a few months later at TESOL Arabia. I traveled from Saudi to TESOL Arabia in Dubai and arranged to interview a second time in order to explain why I couldn't accept the initial offer for the Spring semester. The director remembered me from the first interview--it wasn't necessary to interview a second time--and assurred me that the position would be available the upcoming Fall semester.

Where I will disagree with VS is that not necessarily do you need a good CV and references to get an offer. Better yet, I guess I'm questioning what is meant by a good CV and references. When I interviewed with ZU, I felt that my CV was good yet my references didn't offer much in the way of "brand" name endorsements. As well, my masters is not in applied linguistics nor is it in tesol--but that's a separate issue for debate. However, not having an MA in applied linguistics or tesol implies (by the more popular view among us in this forum) that my CV (qualifications) is not good, either. As I recall, the three references included referees I hadn't been in touch with for more than 5 years. One held a PhD in psychology and the other two held MAs. All three had backgrounds in education but only one had Middle East/ESL experience; the other two were school administrators I had worked with years earlier. They're good people, but I wouldn't think that they fit a category of exceptional references that impressed the interviewers at ZU. I don't want to take anything away from the people I listed, but again, they weren't "brand" name endorsement.

My belief is that the most important aspect of the interview and getting an offer from ZU is being prepared to discuss particular aspects of teaching and pedagogy that reflect a depth of knowledge in relation to teaching EFL/ESL.

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

GlobalDawg · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 91

Are you saying that you can get hired with no educational references, a spotty employment record (a job change every year) and an MA in Criminal Psychology?

No VS, that would be preposterous. Maintaining the context of what I did say, I questioned what was meant by a good CV and references. Thank you for your effort to clarify what you meant. To the contrary, we agree and share the same definition.

hemlokk · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 40 Location: Abu Dhabi

Hello,

I've just been invited for an interview with them. I am Canadian citizen with an M.Ed TESL and 6 years experience, 2 of which were overseas in China, 4 of which were at the post-secondary level. I'm confident of my ability to discuss language learning methods, pedagogy, curriculum, technology, etc.

My questions are to prepare me what to expect about pay. For the academic bridge program instructors, does anyone have a ballpark idea of what the pay will be like? And what are living conditions like?

Is it a phone interview, or will I be expected to fly somewhere? Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

republocrat · Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 5:00 pm Post subject:

I have heard nothing but praise for ZU regarding its students, pay and conditions, management, etc. The only complaints I've heard have been minor issues that were usually settled without the usual management shrieking. I'd apply to work there myself, but I'm a bit long in the tooth for job-changes now.

ZU compares very favourably with HCT, who appear to be undergoing (in AD at least) some sort of metamorphosis into a seven-headed monster. I just hope I can make it till the end of my current contract, another two years, without falling in the path of one if its many carnivorous (cannibalistic?) management goons.

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

hemlokk · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 40 Location: Abu Dhabi

Thanks for your replies. The job offer is 19,200/mo, includes housing, airfare and furniture allowance. The contract is 3 years and starts Aug 23rd.. I have a friend who taught there in the past and I've heard nothing but good things about the school. I'm excited to start!

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

Fantastic!! Great offer. I hope you enjoy it. Be ready for the heat in August... rather like walking into your oven... only with lots of nice humidity!! Cool

But, never fear... by late October it will get better and the winter weather is beautiful.

VS

Opti · Joined: 18 Sep 2006 Posts: 47

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

It could be that he is just not used to the normal UAE usage where salary is always stated separate from benefits.

So, Hemlokk... is that 19,200 your salary or does it include benefits?

VS

hemlokk · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 40 Location: Abu Dhabi

Oops. I apologize, as I am still thinking according to US$, it is actually 14k, not 19k as I mentioned. Sorry for the confusion.

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

crazycatlady · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:59 pm Post subject:

what is a good salary, then? i have 4 years' experience teaching efl in language schools (mostly in asia), 4 years' experience teaching high school english in the u.s. (i'm certified), 4 years' experience teaching english comp at the university level (3 years in the u.s. and 1 in turkey), a tesol diploma, and a master's in english lit.