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wailing_imam
Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Posts: 580
Location: Malaya
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 Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:36 am Post subject: HCT - Waddya Think? |
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Hi,
Firstly - I have a BA (Hons), Post Grad Dip in TESOL and 8 years teaching experience. Is that enough to get me through the door?
Secondly, I am earning a decent salary in Singapore and save around �900 a month. Would I be able to do significantly better in the UAE. I am frugal and one drinking binge and smoking session a month is sufficient.
Is the accomodation there decent? On campus?
WI |
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celticbutterfly
Joined: 13 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 11:32 am Post subject: |
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At first glance, without an MA it's a 'no'. However, depending on how desperate the colleges are, you might get in. Do you know anyone working in the system? That's the best way to get a shoe in the door without an MA. There are a few colleges who are understaffed in the Foundations and Diploma English Depts (where you would end up) and are hunting high and low for warm bodies.
Savings: Friends at HCT are saving 1600 quid a month with no great hardships.
Housing: Singles are increasingly losing out due to rent hikes all over the UAE. HCT doesn't have on-campus housing, so is dependent on greedy landlords for staff housing. Rent allowances are lower for singles and the accommodation is looking increasingly like UAEU housing (which has oft. been complained about). That WAS one of the big draws for HCT, but it is not looking promising for future singles. You can be lucky, but it depends on where you end up.
Apply and see what happens. It's always worth a shot  |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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| celticbutterfly wrote: |
| Housing: Singles are increasingly losing out due to rent hikes all over the UAE. HCT doesn't have on-campus housing, so is dependent on greedy landlords for staff housing. Rent allowances are lower for singles and the accommodation is looking increasingly like UAEU housing (which has oft. been complained about). That WAS one of the big draws for HCT, but it is not looking promising for future singles. |
I would think that the current crash of the rental market in Dubai and Abu Dhabi should alleviate this problem for the next few years. The advantage of HCT is that they provide housing rather than a rent allowance.
As to getting in without an MA, it likely depends on - demand - plus what level you were teaching for those 8 years. They want people who have related experience... university level IEP would be a plus... Academic English focused on reading and writing.
VS |
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Pikgitina
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 420
Location: KSA
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littleoldlady
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 286
Location: knitting heaven
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| Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Pik
That's some advert 
Makes me wanna bounce with excitement  |
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Pikgitina
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 420
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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Only the bounce is starting to wear out... 
Cast that net wide... |
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celticbutterfly
Joined: 13 Jul 2009
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 3:36 am Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
I would think that the current crash of the rental market in Dubai and Abu Dhabi should alleviate this problem for the next few years. The advantage of HCT is that they provide housing rather than a rent allowance.
VS |
Dubai is dropping, definitely, Abu Dhabi is still suffering sky-high rents, Al-Ain is bucking the trend with rent increasing rather than decreasing. As for the other emirates, who knows. Al-Ain singles are finding it increasingly difficult to get placed in decent housing due to the housing allowance and housing officer. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 4:14 am Post subject: |
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| celticbutterfly wrote: |
| veiledsentiments wrote: |
I would think that the current crash of the rental market in Dubai and Abu Dhabi should alleviate this problem for the next few years. The advantage of HCT is that they provide housing rather than a rent allowance. |
Dubai is dropping, definitely, Abu Dhabi is still suffering sky-high rents, Al-Ain is bucking the trend with rent increasing rather than decreasing. As for the other emirates, who knows. Al-Ain singles are finding it increasingly difficult to get placed in decent housing due to the housing allowance and housing officer. |
I have had some friends report that in AD there are flats in their area sitting empty with no takers and rents have dropped in some buildings. A major problem has been supply... people were having to take whatever they could find, but that problem seems to have been alleviated now.
I have also heard that the flats being assigned in RAK are still very nice. I haven't heard anything about Sharjah or Fujairah housing lately.
VS |
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D. Merit
Joined: 02 May 2008
Posts: 203
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 11:47 am Post subject: |
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| celticbutterfly wrote: |
Abu Dhabi is still suffering sky-high rents. |
This is my experience.
Any possible tail off from the downturn has been more than offset by rising demand on the island.
Off - Island might be a different story. On island is absolutely rammed with people at the minute. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 2:20 pm Post subject: |
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Interesting... all my sources are on island... not off.
VS |
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Noor
Joined: 06 May 2009
Posts: 152
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D. Merit
Joined: 02 May 2008
Posts: 203
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| Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:10 am Post subject: |
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The Nation:
The continuing drop in prices in Dubai is likely to increasingly affect rates in Abu Dhabi as more people choose to take advantage of the lower rents in the neighbouring emirate and commute, according to a separate report released by Asteco last week. �The attractiveness of cheaper rents and better value for money in Dubai is clearly visible from the volume of commuter traffic on the Abu Dhabi roads in the mornings and evenings,� it said. |
That's very interesting. My wife and I have been noticing far , far more cars with Dubai plates than we saw before the summer holidays on the island.
If more folk working in Abu Dhabi are now living in Dubai then that would explain it. |
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USAMATHMAN
Joined: 01 Oct 2009
Posts: 72
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| Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 2:42 am Post subject: HCT or ADEC |
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Hello all,
I have received a very good offer (15,100 AED) to teach high school English for ADEC starting in January. I also have an interview and possible offer to teach for HCT - Al Ain Women's College starting in January. I am not sure what they will offer and how long I will have to wait after my interview next week. Just wanted to get some advice? Which would you choose? ADEC (high school) or HCT. I have heard mixed views about both but I desire to work at HCT. ADEC has not told me which high school I will be placed in. Thanks. |
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helenl
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Posts: 1202
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| Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 4:23 am Post subject: |
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| For myself, HCT. Al Ain Women's has a fairly good rep in terms of management/admin and most people seem to be content there. Al Ain is also a nice place to live, and HCT provides good housing (not shared) and a good furniture allowance. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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Helen1 hit all the high points and I will confirm her advice.
At this point, I'd take HCT. I think the future is more stable at HCT whereas the ADEC system is new and seems to be still in flux. In general, all things being equal, university students are easier to teach than high school.
If you get offers from both, compare the benefits packages. HCT benefits were better at last report. And the Al-Ain branches have always been quietly ticking along with not a whine to be heard. Better weather than Dubai and Abu Dhabi too. (plenty of heat but low humidity)
VS |
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