Job Discussion Forums

[Middle East Beast]

For those of you who worked there and would be so kind as to share your positives/negatives about your experience...

[mousette]

I worked in the Gulf for 5 years, 3 of which at Dubai Women's College. I greatly enjoyed the team with which I worked and have no hesitation stating they are the best team of teachers I have ever worked with.

I found that working at HCT required a great deal of flexibility and adaptation to constant change. Don't be afraid of technology, although it is constantly changing the support is there if you access it. I enjoyed my students once I understood who they were and what the institution wanted from them. The curriculum was interesting.

I worked for a previous institution in Abu DHabi, the Nightmare as I refer to it. With any international institution you will encounter diverse experiences. Take what you can in terms of the good and learn from the bad. I did. Best of luck to you.

[Middle East Beast]

Thank you, mousette.

I'm glad to hear that educational technology is available. I'm a strong proponent.

Could you be more specific regarding the constant change? Are you referring to schedule, curriculum, staff turnover, or what?

[D. Merit]

Indeed.

The key is to not to let the flexibility warp into not giving a rat's ***.

[mousette]

Hi Middle East Beast
When I referred to constant change in terms of technology I am referring to the continual updating of software and programs. I happen to like keeping up to date with these things, but many would prefer otherwise. there is a lot of support for the new software programs and otherwise. At least, that is what I found. So things like, Safe Assign, BB Vista, Sharepoint, Office 2007 et cetera, et cetera. Basically, don't be afraid to seek support for the technology and enjoy the fact that you will often be further ahead for it than you might be in other educational facilities, globally. I hope this answers your question. Take care

[Double Cheeseburger]

What about the constant changes in your contract ?

Obviously I mean the ones you weren't consulted on or asked about.

[Eisenhorn]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

Generally I haven't had any problems with changes in my contract... It has remained stable, and HCT has met almost all of the things promised in my contract.

My real issues are how new teachers are making MORE than established teachers who have similar credentials and similar years of experience. I know of numerous new teachers who are making between 3,000 to 5,000 AED a month more than teachers who have been with HCT for 3 years.
Instructors who came in with me 3 years ago are all in the ballpark of 15,000 AED per month after 2 years of salary increases. I know of several new teachers who are startign at 16,000 to 20,000 AED a month who have similar education and experience levels.

This is currently a sticking point with several instructors I know, and may lead to a mass exodus at the end of this year at our campus. I know that sevearl instructors (myself included) are going to be actively looking for other positions due to this gap in salary.

[celticbutterfly]

[helenl]

The 3.5 year contracts for January hires have been standard for many years. I know in my letter of offer (which I had to sign and return before getting my contract) specifically stated that it would end 3.5 years later.

As for changes to the contract without consultation or consent - those who are considering leaving take note of the clause which states that if you haven't filled your full 3 year contract then the VC reserves the right to not pay your end of service benefits, even if you give the correct notice.

At least that's what it was 1.5 years ago.

[veiledsentiments]

Positives:

Good pay
Good benefits
Housing provided (no allowance) - usually good
Furniture allowance is one of the largest
Contract is followed (be sure to check specifics)
Pay always arrives on time
Students mostly fun (teaching content better than EFL - I loved the students)
Lots of professional fellow teachers to learn from
Not too many of the overly eccentric EFL crowd
Curriculum organized - texts assigned to courses
Plenty of resources to add to each course
Access to copy machines (best of any place I taught)

Negatives:

Very top heavy management
Too many meetings
Too many committees (tweat curriculum? exam prep?)
Long Long semesters
Long long days
Lots and lots of meetings
Office politics
Odd directives from top management (have they ever taught?)
Did I mention meetings?
Final exam process that is ponderous, overdone, and borderline psychotic

VS

BTW: I was there in the mid-90s... but posts here and reports from friends who are still there ?!?! suggest that the pros and cons are the same. And naturally there is some variation on management situations by branch. As usual, it will be one's tolerance for the management follies that will decide how long you stay.

One more comment on pay. It is an unfortunate fact of life that there tends to be a pay creep situation around the Gulf where new teachers end up getting ahead of the people that have been there awhile. It is one of the problems with the "contract" system instead of one where all faculty is paid according to a system-wide scale.

[Double Cheeseburger]

No comments about the Festival of W**kers?

You know, the one where staff are forced to act as chaperones to a motley crew of ....?

Back home, such a farce would have resulted in quite a few heads rolling.

Maybe farce is the wrong word. I was going to use mutual asswank, but it's a clumsy expression...

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[Middle East Beast]

Dear VS,

You and I are kindred spirits regarding meetings...I HATE them, too. I think they are a complete waste of time.

Sounds like they have a lot of them...weekly, perhaps? I don't even like them monthly.

MEB

[johnslat]

Dear Middle East Beast,

You, VS and I are all kindred spirits on that. My first action on becoming Coordinator of the ELC at the IPA in Riyadh was to abolish ALL meetings.

I can't recall anyone's being disappointed at not getting to waste an hour or two every week getting absolutely nothing accomplished.

Regards,
John

[Middle East Beast]