Job Discussion Forums

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

Spinduck... no spin there. That is a perfect description of HCT and its good/bad points. I have written similar posts over the years. People sometimes criticize my posting about places that I haven't taught in for many years. But from my friends still there, and posters like you, it is obvious that little has really changed. The system has only become larger - much larger - and its good/bad points have moved to more extremes.

But it is a place that offers good pay/benefits (if the exchange rates don't kill you) and an interesting collection of individuals to work with. Some of them will be impressively professional and others will be... um... overly ambitious? Your ability to slot into the system will decide how happy you are with it all... and for how long... What I have always called 'going with the flow,' but being a chameleon is probably part of that.

And... like2answer - you too have confirmed that something else has not changed. The students... Though the low level intake may have become much larger, but there will still be enough of them who are eager and hard-working - to make entering the classroom every morning the high point of your day. (at least the women... the men can often be a bit more of a challenge for some teachers)

VS

Grendel · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 19 Location: Middle East

Let me clarify a few things.

HCT is now hiring teachers with BAs in any field, and sending them to teach English with the proviso they will get a CELTA diploma in one year. They will do the same work as teachers with MAs and BAs in ESL, but for about 65%-75% the standard BA salary.

Those teachers are being hire to hire the new intake caused by a local sheik�s gift. There will be special classes starting at the end of November. Teachers assigned to them (many will be new, because people with seniority will do what they can to avoid them) will have to develop some kind of program for these students: they were too low for the usual intake, and will have great problems dealing with the standard program.

There are different stories about how long the extra classes will go on. I have heard these new students will be formally enrolled in the Spring. I have also heard new hires will not be allowed a summer holiday for their first year since they will be teaching the new students, attempting to get them ready for the usual classes.

Lots of these low flying students have already enrolled in the country colleges, RAK and Fujairah. RAK sacked many of its Foundation staff last year, and appears to remain a very tense place. Fujairah is calmer, although for new staff, their raises in pay and retention have been linked to them successfully completing the ICDL test(a Gates money-making device) within the first two year of their country. It also seems all the costs are passed onto teachers.

Buur · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 26

Grendel wrote:

[Lots of these low flying students have already enrolled in the country colleges, RAK and Fujairah]

I have heard in one of the threads that most of new students will be enrolled at Dubai and Abu dhabi colleges in Febraury 2007. am I wrong?

Buur[/quote]

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

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

like2answer · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 154

ICDL is for computers... not really driving. I believe Stephan Jones was making a joke. So yes, people in Fujairah, if they are from most countries just get a regular driver's license.

The ICDL has nothing at all to do with teaching English. It does however help get some of the teachers up to speed with knowing the basics of computing. It is a very, very simple program... and some of the teachers NEED it. It helps with email, using Word, and powerpoint. Believe me when I say some of the newer, older teachers need the help.

Back to the low students. If one has access to the Portal at HCT, one can find the CEPA scores to the new students. Not all students are low.

I know that Fujairah Women's and Men's colleges are starting up with students in the next few weeks. The students will come once a week for about 4 hours to "brush up" on their English. Then the staff don't know what will happen next because the "powers that be" don't know.

I also know that although Fujairah has "lower" overall students, they are some of the nicest ladies you'll meet. Haven't heard much about the men.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

At JIC I used to put applications by fax or letter at the bottom of the pile. It did mean there was a certain selective pressure in favour or basic computer competence.

The day before yesterday I showed my office mate how to turn his computer off. He had never done so before.

So yes, some kind of basic training would be useful.

Manny2 · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 143

Grendel I am not doubting what you say re the HCT hiring teachers with only bachelors but in other threads the HCT is still screening out Masters holders with teaching experience.... and what about all the adjuncts that got their walking papers because they did not have the Masters in hand ? and faculty already in place who have been told they may not get renewed if they do not complete /enrol in a masters program.

One wonders are these colleges especially the ones you mention RAK/FJW hiring directly or going through the central pool ?

Tuttifruitti · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 75

I think some of the colleges, for some reason RAK and FUJ (according to the rumours one hears), seem to have different employment criteria than many other colleges. They take from the central pool, but may not choose teachers using the same criteria as others.

I recently heard about the possibility of teachers, as Grendel mentioned, working for less money due to lower qualifications. They are to be called 'teaching assistants'. I understood that they were considering employing people at this level in the future, but they must have started in some colleges. My question(s): Why would anyone do the same job as the person next to them for a lot less money, and if they can get 'assistants' to teach the same as 'teachers' for less money, why have all 'fully qualified teachers' not been replaced with the cheaper model?

Regarding the MA and the ICDL qualification, in the college I work at, we have never been told that we will not be renewed without a masters, only that it may come to that at some point. The ICDL is an optional course and is fully paid for by the college for any member of staff who wants to do it. You only have to pay for a module if you fail it and have to repeat.

As Manny2 says, I'm not doubting your info Grendel, but I think priorities seem to vary among colleges, and these are things that individual supervisors can decide on when a new teacher is needed. At the end of the day, I think the screening criteria is the same for all, but things seem to change after the interview stage.

Shakhbut · Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 167

Color Me Gone · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Posts: 1

Shakbut wrote:

"The HCT has so many problems on so many levels, I doubt if it can ever function effectively.
If you can manage to just get on with your job without getting angry at the sheer silliness, you're a lucky so and so."

This is Oh So True! Change seems to be simply for the sake of change and not something that is planned or even thought out as far as feasibility is concerned. "Oh, hey! sounds great! next semester we are going to have ____." And of course when it the idea runs into problems, the response is: "If the teachers would just do their jobs, there wouldn't be any problems." Do something with nuthin!
Been there, just about lost my mind!

Harriet · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 16

Stoth: If you want a tertiary teaching job in the UAE next year, try ZU. They have already started their hiring process for next August, and are not being forced to take the very low level students. The requirement for the lowest ZU girls is 160 on CEPA (the nationwide exam), which means they have decent overall language skills and basic writing skills -- sadly lacking, I'm told, in the lowest group HCT has to take, who can barely introduce themselves in English.

Manny2 · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 143

Harriet since you are a new poster and would seem to be recent hire with ZU would you like to give us any indication of what a new hire may be offered with them ?? We have had some discussion as to what applicants should put in when ask for expected salary and the feeling is that maybe people are being screened out because they ask for more than the institution is willing to pay. Plus is it true that ZU does not give yearly increments ?
M

Longton · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 148

HCT is advertising on this site for teachers with a BA, TEFL diploma and experience. An MA isn't a requirement. It doesn't give start dates.

Manny2 · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 143

No Longton it is not a requirement but probably preferred, but having said that there is no gurantee that with an MA you would even get an interview, the vagaries of the HCT hiring process are beyond the comprehension of mere mortals.

From previous posts I believe you applied , did you ever hear back from them ?

As far as start dates go there still are many colleges with shortfalls for next semester so that would be a Feb start.