Job Discussion Forums

[AmericanTeacher]

Hello All,

I am a newbie to this forum. Thanks to Dave for providing it.

I am thinking of coming to teach in the UAE. I would appreciate the benefit of anyone�s experience, as well as any leads or contacts for jobs. I have been thinking about teaching overseas for a long time, and it seems that things have finally fallen into place so that I can do so. It seems late to look for a job this year, but I am ready to go if I can find something good.

Here�s a summary of my qualifications and experience:

Hold a Ph.D. in English
Hold a teaching certificate in English
Have eight years of experience as a middle school and high school teacher
Have one year of experience as a professor of English Education

My wife is also an experienced ESL teacher with more than 25 years of experience.

I read about the jobs for Advisory Teachers, and they appeal to me. I understand that these are difficult, demanding positions, but I earned my Ph.D. while I was working full-time as a teacher. I am capable of much work, and I am passionate about teaching.

I am also quite interested in working in a good international school. Sending out resumes blindly does not seem to be an effective way to proceed, so I would be grateful for any advice or contacts you all could offer.

I am also interested in learning more about what it�s like to teach in the UAE. I want to go into this with my eyes wide open.

Thanks so much to anyone who responds.

[veiledsentiments]

I assume that you have looked at Teachaway in reference to the teacher advisors. They are the recruiter. You also might look at ECAE, which is an education college. Zayed University also likes PhDs. Look at the website for the American University in Sharjah.

For international schools the best bet is the job fairs held in the US, by such organizations as ISS.

You are correct that it is a bit late for this fall... most hiring is done.

As to telling you about the teaching... it depends very much on what level and what employer.

VS

[johnslat]

Dear veiledsentimens,

Apparently Teachaway's still hiring: This was posted just two days ago on Linkedin:

Public School Teaching Positions in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi - Public School Teaching Jobs - Certified Teachers Only - Now Interviewing in North America, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

Teach Away is currently accepting applications for teaching jobs in the Middle East to teach within the Abu Dhabi public school system. Teaching in the local primary schools allows teachers to gain international teaching experience while immersing themselves in a fascinating culture. Teachers can expect to earn a lucrative salary, but should be prepared for the challenges that will accompany an educational reform of this breadth. Only licensed public school teachers with a minimum of 1 year of teaching experience at the primary level will be considered for these positions.

**Interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as there is still availability in the upcoming interview sessions. Now Interviewing in North America, Australia, New Zealand and the UK (please note that interview dates and cities will be based on interest).

http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&discussionID=20145903&gid=69481&trk=EML_anet_qa_ttle-0Ot79xs2RVr6JBpnsJt7dBpSBA

Regards,
John

[AmericanTeacher]

I contacted them directly, and they said that the only open positions now are for K-3 teachers. Would be nice, but it's a bit out of my experience.

I'd so much like to come this year.

[Sheikh N Bake]

Be careful what you wish for. As a PhD you would know that a stint in the Gulf Middle East doesn't look good on your CV for future US tenure-track candidacies. If that's not your bag, no problem then.

I hope you're on a waiting list for Zayed U and the HCT--sometimes they need people at the last minute, and as VS said, some of them like PhDs.

[AmericanTeacher]

Thanks for taking time to reply.

Actually, I'm just coming off a tenure-track position, and I didn't like it. Working as a professor taught me that I am a teacher.

The "be careful what you wish for part" gives me some pause, as I'm not completely informed on what I'm getting into. However, I am definitely ready for a new challenge and would not be excited at all about taking another high school job here in the USA. Sometimes it's just time for a change, if you know what I mean.

[Sheikh N Bake]

Teaching at the Higher Colleges or at most of the universities in the Gulf is like teaching high school anyway, although student maturity and curiosity/analytical skills about the world at large are essentially at the junior high school level. This is why I personally would prefer HCT, Zayed, American Univ of Sharjah, etc. if I were in your shoes...I mean, the student levels are low enough already, so you might as well enjoy the higher salaries and benefits.

But I've been there, done that and I wouldn't go back.

You're not really a professor or professional teacher at the HCT/Zayed/UAE Univ; you're an educational contract worker. I don't know much about the international high schools.

Another factor is how much of a fit you'll be with the Gulf Islamic culture. At least you can havae fun and a bit of freedom in Dubai. Abu Dhabi is extremely boring. RAK is like some frontier town in Tajikistan. I've spent nine years in the Emirates in all three locations. Dubai beats them all hands down in my view, and the city is not all Star Wars excess. There's an old section that's straight out of the Ottoman Empire.

Some old hands on these boards have lived only in their home country and the Emirates and had a great career, so they sing the praises. On the other hand, before coming to the Middle East I had lived in about 11 US states, four countries in northern Europe, Japan and Malaysia and was married to a Malaysian Chinese...and frankly I was WAY UNDERwhelmed by the Middle East. To each his/her own but I think not many well-traveled people are nuts about the Gulf.

Admittedly I'm in Saudi again now, but my job is exceptionally good and I need the retirement funds, so what can I say, Saudi is the best country in the world--that's my story and I'll stick to it for now. But with the Emirates I can be more, er, frank.

[AmericanTeacher]

Thanks for your reply. I understand what you mean about needing funds for retirement.

I'm not sure if you're aware of what's going on with teachers now in the states, but I've never seen anything like it before. People are being let go left and right. I'm sure that this is a chance for some people who probably don't need to be teachers anyway to find something new to do. For those of us who are experienced and dedicated it is an awful market.

One of the reasons that I want to move out of higher ed is that of my 15 teachers who graduated early this month, only two have jobs. The rest are scurrying around looking for anything: childcare, subbing, whatever. I cannot find it in myself to be a part of that system.

We are a fairly well-traveled family, and it is definitely time for a change.

I would love to hear from others. I"m not all that good at asking for help, preferring to be self-sufficient, but in this case I must.

[Sheikh N Bake]

Yes, I was just reading--in many cases 600+ applicants for a single teacher opening!

[uaeobserver]

Often times, working and/or teaching overseas adds to the distinction of one's CV. The candidates appears to be a little more exotic - or savoir if you like. The politically correct NYT-reading sophisticates love to see candidates with some background in comparative studies.

Unfortunately, serving time in the UAE doesn't seem to boost the octane of your CV. It's certainly nothing like a Fulbright or Rhodes scholarship.

[michgreen]

In this day in age, teaching overseas does very little for your CV when you come back to teach in the States. You'll find that most if not all of the applicants that you're competing against have taught overseas (Peace Corp, English Language Fellow, foreign universities, language schools...).

Its not exotic any more. Its a given.

[Pikgitina]

[Sheikh N Bake]

I left AD in 2004. I often get a feel for a city in the daytime even better than at night. If it's really boring in the day, there's not much to it--all smoke and mirrors. That's what AD was when I was there--no substance to the buildings, all Legoland ugly highrises with shops downstairs and only apartments above. I never thought anyone would ever call this mess "elegant." I'm sorry, but some things are obvious and we can make value judgments about them. Perhaps you mean the Corniche area. And yes, perhaps things have changed dramatically in six years. Well...as seaside cities go, Cannes is elegant. South Beach Miami is elegant. Abu Dhabi is not.

There were a couple of small pubs when I was there, and a rather inadequate beach hotel near downtown. Better now?

[Vancouver Girl]

Abu Dhabi...and the Emirates in general...are intrinsically boring. The Emiratis?/Emi-Rats?... like it that way.... much easier to control..(Chinese sex-workers, not withstanding) as do the people who actually run the place... ie. Hindustanis.

All the Dubai flash and hoopla you read about in the newspapers is just that....flash and hoopla. Most of the residents...English teachers on $33, 000 a year etc...(remember... most people working in the UAE would be considered far below the poverty level of any respectable nation)..simply cannot afford to partake in the supposed pleasures of life in the Persian Gulf.

[Pikgitina]