Job Discussion Forums

dash201 · Joined: 19 Dec 2011 Posts: 25 Location: United Kingdom

Hi all. I have been offered a telephone interview for the 3rd January.

I have a few questions but here is my background.

I am a fully qualified teacher with 8 years experience in England. I plan to go with my non-teaching wife. Here are my questions.

1. What is the salary at a SABIS school roughly? I have read �1500 a month (�1255). Is this correct? If so, I will hang up on them if they confirm this on the interview. And laugh. I currently take home �2269 a month.

2. Is this actually a worthwhile school? Or is it basically a TEFL school in disguise?

I think this will do for now. I apologise if anyone feels that I am being arrogant or anything like that but this is my future and I would rather do research first.

Many thanks, Chris.

Eisenhorn · Joined: 25 Oct 2009 Posts: 146 Location: HCT Land. UAE

Dash.

Avoid Sabis.

If you are fully qualified w/ 8 years of experience from the UK, aim for the international schools in the UAE. Any of the English Speaking Schools, you will bet a much better salary and a much, much better working conditions.

dash201 · Joined: 19 Dec 2011 Posts: 25 Location: United Kingdom

Thanks Eisenhorn. I have been offered a position at Gulf English school in Qatar as well but salary is low and poor reviews. I really am trying for UAE but no luck so far.

After a lot of reading about Sabis, it does sound like a poor place to work and I am worried that I will be wasted to a draconian way of life!

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

If you are a "professional" teacher, you will be quite frustrated at the Sabis system. It is test test test - teach to the test - test ... etc. That and push around paperwork for admin who usually seem to be the sort who punish you for not ticking the right box on the right form at the time they wanted it.

VS

dash201 · Joined: 19 Dec 2011 Posts: 25 Location: United Kingdom

I have emailed the school and politely declined the offer of an interview as I will not work for peanuts. Like nearly everyone on any forum I have posted on had said, they will suck the life out of me. I am too good good for that. I like teaching and not just sticking to reading the manual. Besides, I have never stuck to a lesson plan yet and never intend to. I like it when the teaching takes us anywhere but still reaches the objectives.

Thanks all for your input.

robinbanks · Joined: 28 Apr 2009 Posts: 77

If you want the quality schools in AD try Al Khubairat British School,The Brighton School,and Al Yasmina off the island in Khalifa A.Sabis is a DEFINATE no no asa is The Glenelg School;also avoid schools with countries in their names;The "Australian"International School is neither Australian nor International.Neither The "Canadian"School.Don't go near CfBT either,albeit an agency.You may not get into the "better"schools until September.
Happy New Year.

BrownSauce · Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 87 Location: Fantasy Island

I can back up the above comments by Mr Banks. I was actually approached by one of those less-desirable schools mentioned above, and I hadn't even applied for a position there (and I'm not qualified to teach kids either).

When I inquired as to where they had gotten hold of my details, they said it was from tefl.com. So I guess they're out 'trawling' for teachers already!