Job Discussion Forums

[Noelle]

What does this stand for?

Are they a recruiter for the UAE only? I worked with a really good Korean recruiter based in Canada and I'd love to find one with as good of a reputation for placing people in the UAE.

I will have my MA in TESOL this December as well as 3 years of teaching experience both abroad and here in the states. Would this HCT group be worth my while to contact?

[adorabilly]

HCT is the Higher Colleges of Technology.

They are a country wide group of colleges (each of the emirates has their own HCT branch college).

HCT has both mens and womens colleges (because it is an muslim country)

I am not sure where they compare in the UAE for academic rankings (I think they would be third generally. The best students go abroad, then Zayed University, then HCT colleges) I think.

HCT recruits at TESOL conference, and the TESOL arabia

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

[redcliff]

and believe it or not they actually have a website!

[007]

[veiledsentiments]

The top male students tend to go abroad (or the ones with serious behavior problems and/or those with the money to spend on it or the wasta to get the government to pay for it). The best and brightest of the girls go to ZU/HCT/UAEU. In this case, it also depends on whether their families will allow them to leave home to study in another city.

Those that can't get into these because of low grades or they are not Emirati then choose to go to AUS or SU (depending on whether they want segregation of the sexes). All the rest get those that fail out or can't afford them or it is closer to their home.

As to a ranking of the quality of the academics at the above... that is a debatable topic.

VS

[adorabilly]

007

did you read the START of that quote you put up? I stated, I'm not sure, but from what I have been able to determine, that is the order most of the students break down into.

I do not live in teh UAE, heck I don't even know most of the Universities you mentioned. what I do know is that in my research to come to the UAE, what I posted is what I have heard from most people on this board, and from the recruiters for ECAE, HCT, and Zayed University.

As I stated, I'm not sure about the rankings of the universities. Since you seem to know more than I do, please feel free to correct my mistake. Or give a list. If I am wrong, i apologize, and will humbly ask for your forgiveness. If you have that definitive list, I'd love to read it.

[NadiaK]

MA + 3 years' experience would put you in the running for a job with the HCT.

ETA as long as it, or another ELT certificate you hold, included a practicum/TP.

[NadiaK]

PS there are quite a few thread in this forum about HCT - a search should reveal a considerable amount of information about them.

[eha]

"Academic rankings!!!"

This comment is completely accurate, only I would add a few exclamation marks and apply it internationally, in this age of the MacDonaldization.

[Noelle]

Most of my teaching experience has been with kids. This is the first year I've worked with adults at a higher level. The students I teach here in California come from about 28 different countries for work, travel, business, university credit or TOEFL and Cambridge Exams.

I've had some experience teaching Turkish students but none with Arabs.

Would I even be considered in the UAE with an MA and such only a year teaching adults?

[veiledsentiments]

Noelle,

It would all depend on supply and demand for teachers. You would be at the bottom of their list as you have the minimum credentials that they prefer (MA), but your experience is unrelated.

Experience that is preferable to them is the teaching of academic English to young adults - reading/writing skills in particular. Even having done test prep courses isn't really related.

That said... apply... the worst that can happen is that they say no.

VS

[Noelle]

Thanks

I am not looking to make a move to the Emirites in the very near future. Maybe in a few years. I feel like networking early can't hurt though!

thanks for the advice.