Job Discussion Forums

psychedelic · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 167 Location: China

Hello all!,
I have never been to the Middle East. I have been offered an E.S.L. teaching job. I have lots of questions. I would REALLY appreciate your input!

1. What's Sharjah like? I read that the weather is hot and will get hotter! 100% humidity at times..yikes!

2. How are the Emirati's towards expats?

3. How should I pack for coming over there?

4. Are there many expat's there?

5. What are things to do? (during free time) I read of a few things.

6. What about clothes? Regarding teaching,are nice slacks and a dress shirt okay?

7. What's the typical salary for an experienced teacher?

8. How's the housing? Typically close to school?

9. How do folks get around? How's the transportation?

10. I'll have 15-25 students to a class. Is that typical?

11. I'll have a one year contract. Is that typical?

12. I'll have 17-26 year old students. For those of you that have taught that age group before there,how are they?

13. How much time per year is given for holidays? There's a month off for Ramadan..right? I was told that I'd have one week of paid vacation. Is this typical?

14. Have there been many/any horror stories for expat teachers there,or is this uncommon?

15. Is a teacher's certificate absolutely necessary to teach there?

16. Is there generally adequate support from the Emirati school staff and management for Western teachers?

Please reply ASAP!,
Thank you,
psych

Sunburnt Individual · Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 91

You might want to narrow it down a bit. Where you are (Sharjah) and who you're working for make a huge difference.

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

"one week of paid vacation." Ouch!

Red flags! That is really skimpy.

kiefer · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 268

rut roh--sounds suspiciously like the Nigerian scam. How about a link to the ad? Is it a Ministry of labor with dot tk address.

If it's for real, Sharjah, in a nutshell--traffic. Lots and lots of traffic. Close to Dubai though, where there's also traffic. Lots and lots of traffic, but a lot more ways to amuse yourself.

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

Or <.us> which has been showing up along with <.tk> ... check the sticky at the top of the page here and make sure that it doesn't match up with this.

One week of paid vacation????? No, you don't get the month of Ramadhan off... only the two Eids, which are a few days each. If you are teaching adults... tertiary... the normal summer holiday is 60 days/2months.

One year contracts are highly unusual. The legitimate employer usually do three year contracts.

You haven't mentioned two important facts... the salary offered and your credentials.

VS

bomzis1 · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 29

Why don't you try two things:

1) Read the previous threads- you'll find the answers to many of your questions. If they're not there, they could probably be answered by your (potential) employer, so

2) Ask your employer.

If you still can't get your answers then post here again Smile

You haven't told us who your employer is.

psychedelic · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 167 Location: China

Hi,
The info. that I was e-mailed is as follows: school address..12A Almuhadris Street Sharjah U.A.E. P.O. Box 1178. name of school.."Our school is a new established institute namely. UAE education student studies sharjah." What do you think? Please reply ASAP!

psych

psychedelic · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 167 Location: China

Hi,
The following person has e-mailed me and also sent my contract letter. Motari Al Mehairi..[UAE Ministry of Education Student Studies] P.O. Box 295 Dubai,United Arab Emirates. e-mail address: [email protected]

What do you think? Please reply ASAP.

Thanx,
psych

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

Do a google on Motari Al Mehairi.
Why would a ministry in the UAE use "tk"?
Good luck.

psychedelic · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 167 Location: China

Hello,
The following individual sent me the interview form: UAE Ministry of Education The Minister: Dr. Hanif Hassan Tel: + 971-50940099
e-mail address: [email protected]
www.ministeryofeducationuaegov.tk

What do you think? Please reply ASAP.

Thank you!

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 7:13 am Post subject:

DO NOT! You've been warned.

NCTBA

psychedelic · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 167 Location: China

The salary stated in the contract sent to me is 4800 USD/mo. I have a B.A. degree..no teaching certificate.

What do you think?

psychedelic · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 167 Location: China

Why??? What do you know? What have you read/heard?? Please reply ASAP!

psychedelic · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 167 Location: China

Hi,
I took your advice and did a Google search on Motari Al Mehairi. SCAM ALERT.

Thanx!!! Smile

adorabilly · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Ras Al Khaimah

Psychadelic.

In the top posts as a stickie is a list of the scams which use the .tk for the UAE.

it is a very common scam to rip you off for cash (for the visa), even the airline tickets as well as getting a copy of your passport.

NO place in the UAE pays 4800 US a month for a bachelors degree and no experience. Not a single place.

Heck, most people with MA's and 5 to 7 years experience don't make that here.