Job Discussion Forums

[artemisia]

I've been reading the postings here on schools, in particular the ENU or Emirates National School. The news is not good and although most of the posts are a couple of years old, it's unlikely things will have changed much. However, I'd really appreciate an update on the situation in this school if anyone has up to date and reliable info. What's the teaching environment like now? Any improvements on relations between teaching staff and the admin?

Are there any decent high schools to work at there? I can get names off the internet but that won't tell me who's a good employer. Is working 30 hours a week the teaching norm in high schools? It does seem like a lot of contact hours but I don't know if it's possible to get a job with hours fewer than that. At this stage I'm not interested in moving and working in the ME for salary and conditions that are worse than my home country (where fulltime is 20 contact hours a week and a possible extra 5 hours that can be called upon for relief etc. but you usually have as 'frees').
So I'd be happy to get some names of schools I could contact myself directly. I realise it's probably too late for Sept this year but that's okay - I'm not in a panic to move anywhere

[veiledsentiments]

Do you hold a teaching certificate/license from your home country? If so, take a look at the Teachaway ads on the jobs page.

VS

[artemisia]

Yes I do have a high school teaching cert and I also emailed Teach Away recently though not heard back yet. I guess I should just formally apply to them online. I was PM'd about GEM schools - interesting - will check this out so thanks for that. From looking at the Teach Away website, it looks like 30/35 hours of teaching a week seems to be the norm. Not sure I can handle that amount of contact hours though it does seem as though you can save a lot of $$$$ due to rent and utilities being covered

[veiledsentiments]

Yes, formally apply... few Gulf employers will ever answer an email requesting information. You are lucky if you get a response to a full application.

Remember, not only do you save rent and utilities (if they are covered), you also pay no taxes. It may not be 30-35 contact hours... that is likely the number of hours that you are on site.

The place to find out about these positions is their Facebook page. Just put Teach Away in the search.

VS

[artemisia]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions VS (and to the two who PM'd me). You really seem to have your finger on the pulse when it comes to the ME, judging by other posts of yours I've read. Getting this sort of input is invaluable. How did we all manage in the non-internet days? Can't remember now!

[heyteacha]