Job Discussion Forums

88grace · Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 3

Hi. I am considering teaching in a public school in Abu Dhabi. I would like to hear from someone who has done in it, or is doing it. What is it like? How are the students? Is it any better than private school?

mamasboy · Joined: 02 May 2010 Posts: 25 Location: Timbuktu

To get useful response, its better to be MORE specific. Public Elementary, Secondary schools? Public tertiary institutions? Students? Faculty? Environment? Colleagues? WHAT??????

88grace · Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 3

I don't know a lot about the different types of schools. I might be offered a job teaching in a public elementary school. I am curious if it is on a whole, any different or better than teaching at a private elementary school.

I spent a year in South Korea teaching at a private school, and it wasn't a good experience. I was not supported in my role as teacher, and the students were awful. I learned after being there that public school teaching jobs - on the average, were the better teaching gigs to have.

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

You have not given enough information to really answer your question. Without the name of your employer and your credentials, it is impossible to tell you much of anything about what your experience will be like. But, generally speaking, if you have an official teaching certificate/license to teach in your home country and are being hired either under the TeachAway/ADEC/PPP program related to improved the educational system - OR - are being hired for one of the top international schools (the ones where the embassy and expat kids go), the job will probably be fine.

Otherwise it will probably be a negative experience.

VS

edsegio · Joined: 07 Aug 2009 Posts: 5

I work in the system teaching elementary. I've been in the country teaching for a few years, and while I thought I was at a poor school before, this gig at ADEC takes poor experience to a whole new level.

Nobody I know actually says that they like their job. The local children are, in general, very poorly behave. They pretty much behave in school like how their parents behave on the road.

The great thing is the money. It's the best paying elementary/high school work around. That's why people are staying. A lot of people have left, though. A lot of people have been, or are getting, screwed with sick leave, promised furniture allowances, and flights home.

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

These jobs are very erratic as to conditions and one needs to go with that knowledge. They do pay very well if you can tolerate it for a contract or maybe two. While their idea of re-vamping the whole educational system is a very good idea... implementation isn't an easy process. First off, they are still rather flying by the seat of their pants as to how to do it and long time teachers are naturally worried about their jobs and not thrilled with change.

Add to that that the local kids in the Gulf are well-known for being... um... very undisciplined and completely spoiled.

It is a major challenge and those of us who taught/teach at university those that came out of the previous system hope that the work of these new teachers yields better trained students. But, it is going to take years... my guess would be more than one 12-13 year cycle.

But... I think I digress...

VS

ls0808 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 5 Location: Ontario, Canada

I have just been hired for a kindergarten position in Abu Dhabi through ADEC. Can anyone tell me if I should bring classroom resources with me? What should my expectations be coming into this position? I understand that most elementary teachers have issues dealing with classroom management, is this true for kindergarten? Does anyone have a copy of the South Wales Curriculum that they use?

I appreciate any assistance that can be offered... Smile

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

This has been answered on your other thread. It is better for everyone if you not ask the same question on many threads. That way the next person can find the answers in one thread instead of a dozen. Cool

VS

adorabilly · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Ras Al Khaimah

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

Oh adorabilly... let's not be too hard on the newbie. Laughing

Many of them are new to the discussion board concept.

She has started a thread... now let's just get all the answers there. (I'm assuming "she" since most kindergarten level teachers are women)

VS

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

uaeobserver · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 236

You might land a position in one of the nice schools (typically on the island) --- but you'll have parents who keep a close eye on you, too. Those kids are used to running into foreigners - some of them have even lived in places like Australia, the UK, Canada, or the USA. It's not an easy job - but you'll get the job done.

Then again - you could end up in a place like Baniyas ---- where a punky little kid named Abdullah spits at you and calls you kafir --- and says he'll tell his parents if you lay a finger on him. You're trying to teach him English - and he's trying to lecture you on Sharia (or at least his understanding of it - which is often absurd).

I've seen both extremes. I've also tutored a kid who gave me a reasonably nice watch, and invited me to his wedding as a thank-you.

In a nutshell - it's hard to say what it's like to teach at a public school, since there's really no predicting where you'd end up.

I think teaching is what you make of it. If you learn to be content in good times as well as bad - you'll enjoy your time in the UAE a lot more.