Job Discussion Forums

Armbar · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 11

Does anyone know anything about UAE Academy in terms of offer/packages and work environment? I just got offered an interview.

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

They were recruiting at TESOL but I didn't get an interview. I think they have centers in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Don't know much about packages or management. I think they pay salary plus housing in one sum so you find your own accommodation.

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

When is your interview or how did your interview go?

ShaikhRattleandRoll · Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 15

The Academy has a few different programs running under its roof: City and Guilds, Univ of Washington, corporate offerings and also retraining for retirees. It's funded by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and has a branch in AD and Al-Ain, though all the directors, HR staff, finance, etc are in AD. I hear there is another branch opening up somewhere outside AD as well. People are hired mainly by one program but can be "borrowed" to others if they are needed. Salaries seem to be about 12K if you've got a Masters + housing allowance of about 90K. Can someone correct me if I'm wrong on that? They were advertising a salary range of 12-17K at TESOL Arabia but from what I've heard from friends of mine, they've backtracked on the "range" and are just offering the 12K (for MA). 20 contact hours per week (4 per day X 5). All teachers are currently made to sign in at 7.30 every morning regardless of when classes start. 6 weeks of vacation. Mid-management is hit-and-miss. The actual CEO is Egyptian. I only know two people there; they aren't thrilled about the place, but they seem to be getting paid on time and are paid 130 Dhs per hour if they teach overtime. Hope this helps!

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

Do they have an educational allowance. Thought I might go to Al Ain - there are a lot of positive posts about it. What is the academy like in Al Ain?

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

Does anyone know if the academy is recruiting at the moment ? What qualifications and experience are they looking for? Do you have to have an MA?

mcsam · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 65

I am working on the PPP ADEC Project in MZ and for the past 6 months or so several villas in the area where I live have been transformed into UAE Academy sites. To date not one of them has opened it's doors. I suppose that they must still be recruiting but, I don't know for sure.
I will say though that if you get offered a position with them in MZ you MUST insist that housing is provided because there is NO I repeat NO housing available for foreigners to rent here that is of a reasonable standard. We have a severe housing shortage. There are 3 new blocks of flats being built here but all of them have been leased already, and they are not finished yet (only 2 months behind schedule).
When the first people to work on the project arrived here we ended up living in a hotel for months (5 months in my case). The nearest hotel is a 40 minute drive away, and it is no fun having to commute from AD every day as it takes upwards of and hour and a quarter.
For that reason I would think carefully before agreeing to come here.

Camelracer · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 9

Is this the same place as the Institute of Applied Technology?

Camelracer

Camelracer · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 9

Is this the same place as the Institute of Applied Technology?

Camelracer

Iamherebecause · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:00 pm Post subject:

ShaikhRattleandRoll · Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 15

I take back the "getting paid on time" bit. A few folks haven't been paid yet. They were recruiting trainers a few weeks ago but not sure if they still need people. Just give them a call and ask. The evening program has been temporarily cancelled but if it gets going again they'll most likely need people to cover those spots. No MA necessary for the City and Guilds certification courses, and none needed for the training courses either. They've just instituted a new rule that people have to sign in and out from work every day. Ahhhhh, there's nothing like being treated as a respected professional in the ESL field.

heyjoe · Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 18

MCSAM, can you clarify what " PPP ADEC Project in MZ " stands for please? Do you also have the number or address,webite for UAE Academy?
Thanks

mcsam · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 65

Sorry. Too many acronyms.
PPP - Public, Private Partnership - we are working in conjunction with ADEC (Abu Dhabi Education Council) in state schools to "try" to introduce student centered learning. English is now on the curriculum from kindergarten. Maths and Science are now to be taught in English.
CfBT - Centre for British Teachers Education Trust (you don't have to be British to work for them) but they are based in the UK.
MZ - Madinat Zayed - it's a very small town about 165km outside of Abu Dhabi towards Liwa.

The web address for the U.A.E Academy is:

www.uaeacademy.ae

I hope this answers everything.

SaharaDesert · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 260

Have things gotten better at the UAE Academy ?

What is the salary range ?
What kind of housing is offered in Abu Dhabi ?

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

The UAE Academy gives teachers a housing allowance depending on qualifications and experience. They take into account if you have a family and kids.
Salary ranges from 9000ish to 14000ish. This again depends on what is offered and what is accepted. They have been known to be a little flexible on salary if you can put forward a good case.
Tom