Job Discussion Forums

Smiley07 · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 7

Ok well here it is...Know this question has been asked many times and there are many posts on the topic about it so finally getting around to posting my view on it. Have worked in the system for the past year.....Hope it helps a small bit but as I say its only my opinion...

The 'Choueifat' system is unique. It is very exam focused. School literature and heads will have you beleive that the school provides lifelong learning'. 'critical thinking' and other life skills whilst I feel this really isnt the case at all. As already stated the school is very much teach to the test. The school prides itself on student results and acceptances into famous universities. This is often the result of wrote learning/ lots of money or both. Students are 'drilled' on a daily basis & there is very little room allowed for creativity from either the teacher or the student. I have been told on several occasions that many students find university life very difficult as they are required to think for themselves and are not spoon fed answers. (whilst this can be the case with a lot of school leavers I feel here more so than other schools)

As the school is very regemented and lessons are pre- planned by those in charge there is not alot of room for creativity or organiation( whilst yes some might feel this is a good thing -less planning/work involved for teachers I feel that finding out exciting/fun ways for pupils to learn better is one of the joys about teaching) As the school accpets both qualified and unqualified teachers this obviously suits better and does manage to work.

From a managements perspective the school is run very much like a business with a hierarchy of people in charge. Teachers seem to fall somewhere near the lower end of this hierarchy. The corridor supervisors are they to monitor the teachers just as much as the students. It is not uncommon to be brought up in front of the principal to be given an 'infringement' for being 5 mins late to class. Mistrust of teachers is huge throughout the school. Whilst in certain circumstances there are valid reasons for this more often than not staff are not giving the respect they deserve. In our training sessions before the school term starts we were told by the head of the schools himself that teachers do not need qualifications and that making us go to college to get a teaching qualification was a big conspiracy and that they only wanted us for our money and not because they felt an education was needed. Personally I found this as one of the most insulting remarks. Yes it is true that one can be a great teacher without having a teaching qualification it is definitely something which is worthwile doing and you can learn so many things from to help you become that better teacher.

From a teachers perspective there are a lot of things that need to be taken into consideration. The older the age group of children you teach the more workload you must do and the more pressure placed on you to achieve good results. In saying tests are given to even the youngest classes. It is possible to get on with you work. ' do as they say' , 'keep your head down' and keep out of trouble.

Overall depending on what kind of person you are will determine whether or not you will agree with many points of the system. Personally I feel the older you are/ and the more teaching experience you have the harder you will find it to adapt to teaching in this school.

The good points I can advise for teaching here are:
Those who have just left college and unsure what to do next. Prehaps they are qualified teachers prehaps not. It is a good place to go and work for a year if you want to meet people and travel a bit but whilst staying in a stable job for the year.
However if you want to get away and not be stuck with 40 other young Irish.English it may not be the best place to go...

Anyway I could go on for hours talking about it so Il stop now. If anyone has any specific questions they would like me to answer just shout or Pm me and I will be happy to answer.

jenny74 · Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 39

That was a very in depth description of the school. I had applied to their branch in Kurdistan and received interest from the branch in Dubai. This weird points system sounds crazy. Your posting confirmed my suspicion that it's rigid and uncreative and monitored by Big Brother. Autonomy in the classroom is what I'm looking for. Is that possible in Dubai?

stoth1972 · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:30 am Post subject:

Jenny74, of all the Choueifat schools to avoid, I think the on in N. Iraq is the one. Lots and lots of growing pains on top of the normal Choueifat crud. The salary being offered is not in line w/ 'cons' associated w/ this contract.

Are you a qualified teacher? There are good schools in the UAE for those w/ necessary qualifications and experience. If you are qualified, let me know, and I'd be happy to recommend a few.

stoth1972 · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:36 am Post subject:

Very well put, Smiley07. I don't know that I could have been as fair as you have after completing my year in Sharjah!

jenny74 · Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 39

Yes, I am qualified. BA in English, Tefl, 2 years experience in rural Africa and about 3 years in the states. Is life really fast paced there? I heard it is like the Las Vegas of the Middle East. If I were to go there, my objective would be to save. Is that really possible if I had accomodation included in the contract? Otherwise, I'll just head down to Mexico.

stoth1972 · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 5:30 pm Post subject:

When you say TEFL, you meana TEFL cert? Not a teaching qualification? The UAE has good jobs, but they're either for MA TESOL holders at the university level, or qualified K-12 teachers. THose in between will struggle to find contracts, let alone good ones.

jenny74 · Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 39

thanks for the info. Mexico it is.