Job Discussion Forums

roscoerob · Joined: 20 Mar 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Vancouver

Hi there,

I'm looking for information on CIS in Abu Dhabi. I've recently been offered a position there. I'm a newly qualified teacher. The salary offered is 7,580 AED/monthly. They pay for accommodation, full benefits, and a monthly travel allowance of 300 AED. However when I check out other schools (American Community School, British School) their starting salaries seem to be higher. Can anyone tell me if this is a reasonable offer? Any advice on this school would be greatly appreciated. Couldn't find any info when I did a search on here. Thanks in advance!

johnkg · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 127

Hi roscoerob

CIS is a small school just off the main Abu Dhabi island. The salary you quoted is surely missing a one - 17,580 would be a great starting salary - better than the universities here. 7,580 is, relatively, a pittance - 2,500 Canadian dollars. It'd be really difficult to save much - If your coming to save, look at other international schools.

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

What are your credentials and experience? That will tell how much too low this salary might be.

VS

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

You are newly qualified so it makes sense. The ACS and Al Khubairat expect qualifications and experience to match salaries. Good place to work so I have been told.

roscoerob · Joined: 20 Mar 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Vancouver

Thanks for the quick replies! Wow. I have a B.A., and a B.Ed in Elementary education both from universities in BC. I don't have my own classroom experience yet but have taught ESL for several years in Canada and Japan. I thought it seemed low, and then when I looked at other schools it was well below what they were offering. I'm confused though - it looks like a great school and they're trying to get accreditation from Alberta. How could they pay their teachers so much less?

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

roscoerob · Joined: 20 Mar 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Vancouver

Sorry, I guess that was confusing. I have lots of classroom experience haven't had my own class since becoming a fully qualified teacher. Schools don't count what you've done prior. I understand that I'll be starting at the bottom of the pay scale, and I'm fine with that. I just want to make sure it's a fair and competitive salary, and according to the ACS website their first year teachers are being paid several thousand more per year. I'm surprised there's such a discrepancy...aren't teachers looking into these things?

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Some teachers indeed don't check around before accepting the offered salary and benefits. Why wouldn't an employer try to lowball a prospective employee? It's done all the time.

One other thing you should clarify with them is if the accomodation is single or shared. Is accomodation provided or do you have to source it yourself? If the latter, stay away - Abu Dhabi is a hard place to find a decent flat at any price quickly - however, I understand that that is changing as more people are leaving the country.

redcliff · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 46

Isn't CIS a relatively new school? They may still be finding their way.

The salary you quoted isn't unheard of for a starting teacher, but you may be able to get bumped up a level or two with your experience. As long as it is teaching, even if ESL it shouldn't matter.

A formula I have heard of in international schools is for schools to have a ten level pay scale but the most they start people off at is level 5: giving teachers one level on the grade for everytwo year's experience to a maximum of level 5.

roscoerob · Joined: 20 Mar 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Vancouver

Thanks for everyone's replies, very helpful and appreciated. Yes the school only opened in Sept 07. They find and pay for accommodation - it's shared but sounds decent, 2 master suites with 2 bath. They also pay for my flight there. I'm relieved to hear that salary is in the range of what's normal, maybe I can negotiate for a bit extra based on my ESL experience. I'd love to hear from anyone who knows about this school.

CBINAB · Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Canada

hey there roscoerob... did you take the job?

roscoerob · Joined: 20 Mar 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Vancouver

Hi, thanks for asking. No, I haven't signed the contract yet - although I'm leaning towards taking the job. Haven't had any luck in salary negotiations, so I'm taking a bit of a risk that I will be able to save something and still do some traveling. I just can't understand how there is such a discrepancy in salaries between schools. Does any one have info on teaching in the public system - I hear teaching local (Emirate) children is very challenging, and yet the salary is at least 4000 dirhams more monthly...is it worth it? ARGH so many decisions.

allyp · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 52

Look at the Teachaway thread.

roscoerob · Joined: 20 Mar 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Vancouver

Yikes - frightening stuff. I was forwarded a Teachaway ad yesterday as they are hiring in Vancouver. Not sure if the public school route is the best option there, although I'm sure they're not all bad.

CBINAB · Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Canada

what would you be teaching at CIS? Decisions, decisions eh?!