Job Discussion Forums

[Lucy2]

My husband and I are both English teachers in the States. We have our master's degree in English. We have both taught almost 15 years. We teach AP and honors English in a local high school. I taught college level for five years. And I have taught in China (College) and Hungary (Prep School).

We are seeking jobs in an international school. We have tried sending resumes to a few in Europe, but most want IB experience. And of course we BOTH teach English. It's hard to find two English positions.

I notice that there are several American international schools in UAE. What are our chances of getting hired--with a good salary, furnished apartment, and paid tuition for two elementary-aged girls?

Thanks for your help.

[manxmanuae]

With an MA under your belts, you're sorted. That's respected and paid more than any other qualification over there.

Just be patient & don't grab the first job you find. The post-holiday season vacancies are full of shady posts that folk have run from.

[Lucy2]

[veiledsentiments]

So... you are saying that you don't want to teach ESL/EFL, but the general English classes that are taught in the US for native speakers? I don't know what "AP" is...

I have never taught in the schools, so this is just general info that I have picked up on here. I think that it will be tough anywhere overseas to find positions in the same international school for both of you. You will also run into the same problem with IB.

Another warning: "American" in the name does not necessarily mean that there is much that is really American about it. There is normally one school in each city that gets all the American kids... that is probably the one you want, but again... will they need two teachers?

Definitely go to the job fairs in the US if you can. And before accepting any jobs, be sure to do a search on here and ask for current information about the individual schools.

VS

[Lucy2]

[Sheikh N Bake]

Seems to me the OP would have a shot at the much better college/university jobs in the UAE. Certainly, HCT, at double the salary.

[15yearsinQ8]

i have similiar quals
the best students in the ME are AP NOT ESL NOT any university
one of you should get the 'anchor job' for the household - the other will probably get follow on job - don't wait until you get hired together
pm me

vieled - come on girl, i can't spell but i knew AP when 25 years ago.....

[redcliff]

International Schools have just started the hiring season right now.

I'm not sure how much research you have done into this, but International Schools absolutely love teaching couples as it cuts down on accomodation expenses.
If you haven't already you should check out Search Associates and the ISS website. tieonline.com is another great site and you can upload your profile and see a list of schools you have never heard of before.

If you really want the middle east then look in to snagging some cheap flights to Dubai for the Search Associates fair here. There are also huge fairs in London in February and May and a university in Iowa has quite a famous fair too. Most schools like to hire from fairs.

What I would say is zero in on one that will have a lot of schools that you are interested in, register and then make initial contact before the fair as a heads up that you will be attending.

The only problem that might be with schools that are in the US in late spring is that they may have already found the people they are looking for. At the same time, many people, especially those who are registered on line get job offers over the summer as schools try and sort themselves out.

You may also want to search for the international schools forum where for 30 US you get access to school reviews from other teachers.

HCT would probably love to have a teaching couple for English, though it would be a completely different world from an international school

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[veiledsentiments]

Just a couple comments on redcliff's... I don't think there is any such thing as snagging a "cheap" flight from the US to Dubai. If they are on the East Coast, they could perhaps pick up a cheap flight to London for the fair there.

Although the International schools love to hire teaching couples, this couple both want to teach English (not EFL), which limits the options. Two openings in the same school would be a tough call...

VS
(15years... for what reason would I have any knowledge of current US high school jargon, I don't teach it and I have no kids. Enough useless jargon in our own field to waste my time with other fields... )

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Yeah, VS, anyone of us youngsters w/kids knows what AP means!!!

Yours,

NCTBA

[Lucy2]

Thanks everyone for your help. I've been on the computer so much the last week looking at sites, I'm almost at overload.

My husband and I have registered with CIS--it's free. They have a job fair in London. We went last year, but couldn't find a job together that would pay tuition for both our girls. But we looked only in Europe.

I have looked into ISS and Search. We have to pay for both of those organizations. I would like to join Search, but it's $200 a piece for my husband and me. Wow!

I have been getting info from all three sites. I think I have every possible address of every American International school they have listed. However, I'm sure there are more they don't list. I wouldn't mind working at a small international school.

I applied to ZU today. We'll see.

I am also applying to the following schools this weekend: Sharjah American International School , American International School in Abu Dhabi, Dubai American Academy , American Community School of Abu Dhabi, ....

If I get any offers (perhaps? maybe?), I'll be politely asking for information --real information--about the schools.

Thanks guys, and if you can give me any much-needed info, please pass it along.

[veiledsentiments]

We have one poster here who knows quite a bit about various schools in the Emirates, but right now her internet connection is... spotty. Hopefully by the time you have some offers, she will be back online.

Good Luck!

VS

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]