Job Discussion Forums

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

I am retired back in the US after 16 years of teaching and traveling around the Middle East. I still have many friends there and have kept up with the conditions at various places... and have been on this board since it first began. Much has changed, but even more has remained the same. Cool

VS

titou_a · Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 6

It is strange that there is no inofrmation on the AUD. I think that is because many people working there are not awrare of the existence of this forum. One should maybe write to teachers there telling them about this forum. That way we may have a feedback.

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

The first year or two there was a flurry of posts and at the end of that period, they had got rid of most of the native speakers. It seems that the people who use the net and this board for jobs and job informations are usually "westerners." (not meant as a criticism, but just what I have seen over the years here)

VS

stoth1972 · Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:33 pm Post subject:

I knew a couple people who got picked up by AUD on local contracts a few years ago, and the students and management conditions were comparable to HCT, at that time. Since then? Crickets.

titou_a · Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 6

Hi guys.

Can we draw a general picture for the salaries for teachers in the UAE in one post. There is information all over the place and it is sometimes hard to make a clear idea of what is going on. What I would like to see is which universities are paying the most and how much (not necessarly to the exact salary but almost)+the other perks.
I have also seen some PhDs coming on this site even though it is for English teachers. Maybe we can also give them some insights since many of us know or have friends who know PHDs...
For example Who is paying more the AUS or AUD let s say for a couple with no children, with one child, with 2, etc.
I would like to see this comparison in one post. One that could give us an idea of what is going on...
We can add advantages and drawbacks (like the Abu Dahbi Uni stories.)
One can start and the others will add on. At the end of this tread we can merge information together to form only big post...
Thank you guys.

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

So, if you want to start a thread on this topic, do it. Why bury it in a thread on an obscure employer who has rarely advertised since they seem to prefer local hires.

Although I feel that it is really not that helpful except for those teachers who care about nothing but money.

Why not a thread on which places have the best management? or the best students? or provide the best housing? or which city is best to live in? or which places have the best extra-curricular activites?

All these questions that have been discussed extensively... which is why my advice is always to spend a few hours or evenings reading this board. Use the search. If you have a PhD, type that into search...

VS

titou_a · Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 6

1- I hope I have a PhD but unfortunately I do not...

2- I said in my post that we should talks about any pros and cons (I brought the example of the Abu Dahbi university horribile stories). I am not talking exclusively about money. So I would invite you to read carefully the posts before asking me to read other threads or to make searchs. This is not an offense but a kind request Wink

.

3- sometimes putting information together may help. We get lost reading too many threads and posts. Some are very old and as it is stated in the ofrum management (and therefore its quality) changes from year to year.
So updates are in order.

Iamherebecause · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:15 am Post subject: AUD

OK, some second hand information - know someone (expat, MA qualified) who worked at AUD recently.
This person didn't like the 7 week terms because as as soon as you know the students properly the class changes.
Salary not that great - my friend was on less than 10K dhs a month with MA and loads of experience. That doesn't go far in Dubai.
Accommodation rather poky but at least it was close to work, walking distance even, so you could survive without a car (see salary!).
Management not the best on the block.

I'm afraid can't really go into more detail as this is not my personal experience but maybe it'll help someone.

Situations DO change very quickly here, I agree with titou_a that doing a search is not *always* time well spent.

Spin duck · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Posts: 25

Iamherebecause · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:51 am Post subject:

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Are you talking about the Griffith book?
http://www.globepequot.com/globepequot/index.cfm?fuseaction=customer.product&product_code=1-85458-352-2&category_code=

Iamherebecause · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:41 am Post subject:

No, a British version. Ok I checked, it still exists, it's got good reviews, it's available from Amazon and KELTIC but couldn't find out how to order it direct from the EL Gazette web-site.
The EL Gazette Guide to English Language Teaching Around the World: The International ELT Careers Guide (11th Edition) (Paperback)

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

Good info, Iamherebecause, it sounds like things have not really changed much there.

titou_a · Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 6

OK.. What is the quality of the student in these american universities. I mean do they want to learn and show interest in the classeroom?? Do they disturb the courses?
Of course some student could be of poor qulity but if they do not disturb the classeroom I think it is still ok even though one would prefer if everybody is involved in the learning process.
Correct me if I am wrong: University students have on average a higher quality than high school students...

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

I suspect that it depends on which American based university... there is a variance in who they will admit. Generally speaking, yes, of course they are more serious than high schools students. Usually the worst of the students academically and the worst of the troublemakers do NOT go on to university.

The women tend to be very good because the... shall we say... least academically oriented were married off around 8th or 9th grade. The women students are often tough and competitive. Another plus of these American based private colleges is that it is a mix of nationalities too. So you will have some very impressive Indian, Pakistani, and other Arab students who are very serious.

There will be the occasional troublemaker who is being forced to attend by his/her parents, but they rarely last long... and sometimes some of them even manage to learn a little maturity along the way...

VS