Job Discussion Forums

greenpeace · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 12

It all seems very complicated but I thought HCT was one of the higher paying institutions. Now I hear that secondary schools pay more.

Does anyone know how much I should earn with an MA and 7 years of experience teaching English?

Thanks

like2answer · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 154

HCT used to be one of the highest paying places, but sadly it no longer is.

Employees who have been there for years have gotten the 15% increase from last year. There used to be a 6% raise every year, which other higher learning institutions didn't get. Now it is only 4% yearly. Other institutions have gotten up to 40% raise, so yes, HCT is now at or near the bottom. Teachers at HCT for the long-haul aren't suffering as much, but newbies don't get paid as well.

What makes it worse is that places like UGRU at UAEU have much better holidays and work hours. HCT folks were smug and thought, "Well, we get paid better". That is not the reality now. New hires at UGRU get paid more than new hires at HCT. Other threads have commented on UGRU's housing problem, but as far as I know, HCT doesn't have that sort of problem, as of yet.

As a guess, if you are an English teacher with 7 years and an MA, you'd probably get around 13,000-14,000.

My data is not based on this year's hiring, but last year. Friends who were hired at HCT told me what their pay was and they have MAs and about that much teaching. They got paid 13,000, but they then got the 15% raise.

Look into ZU, UAEU, VETI, AUS... list now goes on. Back in the day, HCT and UAEU were it. Now teachers have choices.

BIGGESTOFA · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 8

I wanted to comment on the pay issue. Through my network of contacts (people I use to work with) it got back to me that HCT was one of the better deals and a very desirable job-I heard counting benefits you could exceed six figures US... yes? no?

Whats the story Larry?

These posts make it seem like it use to be ok and now it is not.

If so how can they get good people to work there? Don't they have to compete with the other schools for talent?

I know this is mainly a site for ESL teachers but what can fully or highly qualified subject teachers say beyond the MA expect to knock down?

How does HCT stack up with the other places? Are they deficient across the board or only in certain areas?

What is good pay at another place--- compare that with HCT.

like2answer · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 154

BIGGESTOFA · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 8

Thanks for the comprehensive answer

tiberio · Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 56

D. Merit · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 203

Yes, these days people do phds to get out of HCT - not to get in.

like2answer · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 154

theweedot · Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 1 Location: UAE

The question asked was how do HCT still get good people. Think about it, its not because they pay the lowest salaries. The average starting salary in dirhams is now at least 15,300 plus accommodation, airfares, medical insurance, kids school fees, gratuity and an ever increasing dollar exchange rate. If it wasnt a good rate why would so many stay or try to move over from the British Council, IAT, and local schools ? They keep coming because its a good salary and good lifestyle.

D. Merit · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 203

Incedere · Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 58

Right now, in Dubai, IAT pays about 9,000 basic, with 11,600 for housing if you are married. Since they don't pay the landlord as HCT does, and instead put the housing allowance directly in your cheque, if you have decently priced accommodations, you do quite well. It works out to $67,000USD a year.

limebelly · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 10 Location: Somewhere hot

The British Council recently commissioned a report into salaries across the UAE (in an attempt ton get out of giving its staff a decent payrise?!) and the big payer came out as Zayed University.
HCT did not participate in the survey (could it be because their salary structure is rather short of being transparent and fair??), but from people I know who work there and others who are in the process of applying, theweedot is about right with the amount quoted. You could apply for Madinat Zayed and get more because you will be in the middle of nowehere.
One of the main things to bear in mind is accom. Don't go for an allowance, at least not in Abu Dhabi, because whatever you get won't be enough with the skyrocketing rental prices.
As far as I can see, HCT is still one of the higer paying organisations when you compare to ADU, IAT, BC. But if you're after big money go for ZU or one of the oil companies.

kiteflyer · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 8

I'd like to find out more about this ... teaching ESL in the UAE.

I've independently taught college English for two years in the USA, while I was a graduate student.

I hold a B.A. in print journalism and have 3+ years teaching ESL at the corporate/BIZ and elementary levels -- overseas.

What about a teacher certification... Is it necessary?

What about not completing my master's degree?

I may re-enroll and finish an online M.A. TESOL; it will be two years out, from next fall before I can finish it.

Any ideas on the type of jobs avail in UAE, given the experience I offer?

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Without a masters you will not be considered for the more desirable tertiary positions. Without a teacher certification, you will not be considered for any of the better international schools.

limebelly · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 10 Location: Somewhere hot