Job Discussion Forums

jill_f · Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 3

Hi everyone!

Just some background information - I'm Irish, female, 23, graduated with a BA (in media) last year, completed the CELTA last summer and am currently teaching business English in Paris. Everyone I know here will be leaving either during or at the end of summer. What with house-hunting problems and the fact that I don't LOVE it here, I'm looking to move elsewhere come September.

Mentally, I'm not ready to move to Asia, as much as I'd like to eventually visit - I don't think I could handle the culture shock/language barrier right now.

I am interested in UAE, however. When my parents were about my age they moved to Saudi and lived there for a few years to earn the big bucks, so the Middle East has always been part of my family life and I would love to experience it for myself. For that reason I feel (perhaps erroneously), that I could handle UAE.

A friend of my sisters forwarded me info about SABIS and after reading a post on here about this company I've been slightly put off by it... Although I don't mind being alone (I'm quite good at it!), and I would only be going for a year or two to (hopefully) make some good money, it's amazing what you can mentally deal with when you know it's not going to last forever!!

As I don't have a qualification in teaching other than CELTA and (come September) one year's experience I can't imagine I would get work much better than the sounds of SABIS - Does anyone have any advice or hints or anything that might help me?

Also, my sister is getting married in the middle of September - if I were take a teaching post in UAE would I absolutely have to be there at the start of September? There's no way I'm missing the wedding to teach some violent kids! =P

Any advice or opinions on quality of life for someone my age there would be really helpful too!

Thanks everyone Very Happy

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Doesn't SABIS require a teaching qualification for K-12? School starts when it starts, teachers rarely are given a choice as to when they can start - mainly because there is someone else ready to start and ready to step into your shoes.

You can try asking but haven't heard that SABIS is very accomodating

jill_f · Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 3

Thanks Helen!

But I was wondering more along the lines of if Sabis aren't so great are there any better alternatives? Or considering I don't have that much experience, do I not have a choice?

The ad I was sent said that no previous training or experience is required, they provide it - Is this true?

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

I have no idea, the only people I ever met who worked there were newly qualified teachers.

As for the rest, your qualifications/experience will not get you an overseas hire package nor a work visa (which IS required). You'd be lucky to make even a living (illegal) wage and perhaps you might be paid in full or on time, but I wouldn't bet on it.

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

2buckets · Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 515 Location: Middle East

"Mentally, I'm not ready to move to Asia,"

If so, then you're not ready to move to the UAE, which is in Asia, (or Asia Minor).

My daughter attended a SABIS school which had a large contingent of young Irish teachers. I felt the education was very good, a better place to be than ACS or the British school where the students were spoiled brats in general.

You might consider getting some experience in Japan or Korea, (which is far more organized and less "Asian" than the UAE, and you won't be groped and harassed because of your gender), and at the same time get a Masters by distance learning. If you want get the big time dosh, that is a necessity.

In the past, HCT hired Celta holders if they were working on a Masters. I think there will be a big demand for teachers there soon because of the deteriorating conditions and they may be more flexible in their hiring policies.

Good Luck!

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

'big bucks' - you won't get that at Sabis.

jill_f · Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 3

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

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

2buckets · Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 515 Location: Middle East

SnB

Yeah, I was groped by women in Japan too.

teacherinabudhabi · Joined: 20 Feb 2010 Posts: 3

Jill,

I am a 26 year old Irish female who 5 years ago was in a very similar situation to yours in that I was unsure about moving out here and had heard many terrible things about Choueifat. I moved out here straight out of college and was a fully qualified teacher. I spent 3 years in Chouiefat before finally leaving for another school. This was not mostly down to my love for the school or anything but mainly because:
1. They offer yearly contracts (and each year I was only staying for 1 more) Most other schools offer 2/3 year contracts and I didn't want to commit to something I wasn't sure I could keep.
2. I made lots of great friends there who all lived nearby so it was very socialable.
3. As any job does it became easier after the initial year and I didn't want to rock the boat.

You will read many bad things about Choiefats system and management on all the boards and most of it is true. It's important to remember however alot of is from disgruntled staff who have had bad experiences. Many of my friends I met there stayed on 2/3 years. Some however did have bad experiences and left after a few months or a year.
As you are not qualified, lack experience and have no real passion for teaching then I personally think Choueifat is not the worst place in the world you could be. If you are the type of person who can keep you head down, stay out of trouble and forget about work once the bell rings then you should not have too many problems.

One of the major pluses is that Choueifat recruit lots of young Irish staff just out of university each year. This means you will meet lots of new people who are in a similar situation to yours making it all that bit easier to make friends. This is not as easy in some schools and I have recently made friends with a girl through playing football who is in one of the 'better schools' who has had terrible trouble making new friends as although the staff in her school are lovely and friendly most of them are that slighlt bit older and at a different life stage than here therefore don't enjoy the same social scence as her.

It will give you a new life experience, you will be able to travel a bit and although the pay in Chouiefat isn't the best it is possible to save a small bit. Although it's not allowed most of my friends did tutoring on the side. They often saved their monthly wage and only spent their tutoring money. Me personally I wasn't motivated enough to go teaching again once the bell rang no matter what they money was.
I think if you do decide to come here your experience will be what you make of it. As I said some people can't stick it and leave after a few months. I was nearly one of those. When I 1st arrived over they stuck me teaching KG1 even though I am secondary qualified teacher (This is typical Choueifat management). Primary teaching is a completly different ball game to secondary and I found it to be one of my toughest years ever. I am not a baby person which was essentially some of the kids (aged 3/4) were. I had 2 choices either to go home with a bad experience of the UAE and Choueifat or stick it out to see if I could get something better the following year which I did. Looking back I think I made the right choice and although it was one of the toughest years I learnt many things about myself that year. (One being that I am sooooo glad I didn't do pimary teaching, 2. No it will not help my parenting skills as I will never have 30 screaming babies at the same time) Smile

Anyway thats just some of my experiences. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

OP doesn't have a teaching qualification - will SABIS consider her?

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

teacherinabudhabi · Joined: 20 Feb 2010 Posts: 3

Yes they should do, have a few friends who were hired in September and are not qualified teachers although do all have degress from home.

It is not as easy to get a job in Chouiefat as it used to be. Before all you had to do was apply and before you knew it they'd be ringing you up at 6am Irish time asking you various silly questions. Nowadays with the economy the way it is however lots more people applying so they have more choice therefore not everyone who applies will automatically get a job. If you are interested I'd defo say apply and go as far as you can with it (i.e to if they offer you a contract) before you make up your mind. Hope this helps