Job Discussion Forums

[gcr]

Academy of Language, Communication and Culture

Institute of Continuing Studies

Abu Dhabi University
Just got an offer from ADU and read the old blogs - sounds like it might be still the same as a year ago. Still offering 6 month contracts
Any thoughts - anyone been there recently?

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

If, as you say, you've read all the old blogs, notice that it still sounds the same as last year and note that they still give out 6-month contracts...I'd...I'd say...GO FOR IT!

NCTBA

[veiledsentiments]

There are rumors that the place is improving... but they could have been posted here by management. I'd say that if your credentials are low and job opportunities are slim and you really need the job... try them out.

If that doesn't describe you, you might want to take the time to apply to other places which don't have quite the checkered past and questionable present.

I believe that they still force teachers into shared housing (the only university level employer in the Gulf that does this... and that offers contracts of less than 2-3 years). Surviving jobs like this usually depends on your tolerance level.

VS

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Awww...VS, don't you encourage the moth to be drawn towards the flame? I mean, at least the moth doesn't have a degree and a background in critical thinking!

NCTBA

[Tom Le Seelleur]

Miss Mao from October 2008 wrote

I have been working at ADU for over a year now, and I am joined by a large group of people who are busily renewing their contracts as we speak.

Chuck, when you worked here, it was a very disorganized, nasty place to work. Our staff didn't work well together and there was some pretty nasty relations between teachers which ended up stressing the general teaching population out. Hence there were a few firings that you talked about.

However, some people didn't have their contracts renewed because they were found not to have the proper qualifications. This is not the same as getting fired. it was just a move to make sure all teachers were properly qualified. ADU did lose a few good teachers because of this (and were well aware of it), but the law is the law. I'm sure if those people got the proper qualifications they would be welcomed back.

We have some new bosses now and old ones shifted into new positions and everyone seems to be working hard at getting things in line and systems in place. There are a lot of new contracts coming up which takes a lot of coordinating but creates diverse opportunities for teaching that can't be found at other universities. There are more training opportunities coming up. In fact, they have brought a CELTA course on campus that teachers can take at a discount to brush up on their skills or replace their TEFL certificates with the more widely accepted CELTA. Recently we were paid a full days' wage to attend a three hour TESOL Arabia Conference.

Is it a perfect place to work? Absolutely not. But it's a lot better than it used to be. You still need to be flexible and roll with the punches when the photocopier isn't working or there is a glitch with HR etc. But we seem to have a really great group of flexible, professional people working here now who help each other, look out for each other, and are genuine friends. This also makes villa life a lot different than the time you were here.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[Tom Le Seelleur]

New Senior Teacher job advertised at ADU. Check daves job list for 29 January. Pays $4000 per month + accommodation. Teacher must have DELTA, 5 years experience and a degree.