Job Discussion Forums

tsikling · Joined: 17 Jan 2012 Posts: 3

Please, VERY URGENT. I am offered a teacher contract in Dubai. Should I ask for full education allowance for my son as well, since the school I'm going to teach is of Arabic curriculum, so I can't have him with me.
Should I ask for air tichets for all the family (3 members) as well as transportation allowance? What is the average EFL teacher salary there?javascript:emoticon(' Rolling Eyes

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

Much depends on such things as the particular school/employer... your passport... your credentials and experience. Is this direct hire or is it a recruiter for ADEC?

Are you certified to teach in your home country? If so, and you have a passport from a "western" country... and the employer is a top tier international school, a full benefits package is the norm - with tickets, school fees (at least partial), housing, transportation allowance, medical coverage, gratuity...

Contracts in the public schools with ADEC normally have a decent pay and benefit package, but don't pay school fees... and not sure about tickets for the family.

VS
(PS... you might want to correct the spelling error in your thread title. Just use the "edit" button in the upper right corner of your post Cool

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nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

tsikling · Joined: 17 Jan 2012 Posts: 3

Thank you very much indeed. You have been helpful. Yes, I am from a Western country, certified to teach anywhere in the world, fully qualified and extensively experienced. The school is private. Does this make any difference? What about paid leave? Could I leave 1 month in the summer and 12-13 days at Christmas?
As for mistakes, I don't really know how to correct the mistake! Thanks anyway, I appreciate any help at the moment!

tsikling · Joined: 17 Jan 2012 Posts: 3

In English! I am from a Western country, certified to teach anywhere in the world, fully qualified and extensively experienced. The school is private. Does this make any difference? What about paid leave? Could I leave 1 month in the summer and 12-13 days at Christmas?
As for mistakes, I don't really know how to correct the mistake! Thanks anyway, I appreciate any help at the moment!

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

You really should direct your specific questions to the person extending the offer, especially if the benefits are not fully stated in the contract nor were brought up during your interview (if you had one). Did they provide a preliminary offer describing the salary and benefits?

To fix your subject line, log in and go to your original post. Click on "edit" at the upper right side. You'll see where you can revise the subject line.

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

I agree with our nomad... these are questions that your employer will have to answer - during interview and/or in offer letter. Especially since this is an Arabic curriculum school, do not expect to have "Christmas" off as it is a normal workday in the Gulf... just as is Sunday.

You will have time off for the usual Muslim holidays. You can probably google up the government holidays for the UAE online, and you should get most of those. I would expect at least a month off in the summer.

VS

Neutrino Girl · Joined: 01 Apr 2010 Posts: 128

hamergirl · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 32

Interestingly enough, the spring break does not coincide with Easter. I thought it did, but just checked and we go back to work on Easter Sunday.

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

I would expect that the break in December will NOT be called a "Christmas break" either. Why would it be when 99.99% of the students are not...

VS

hamergirl · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 32

No, but 99.9% understand that Christmas is the biggest "Eid" for Christians and were pleased and proud at the timing of the break.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

The only reason that the break is similary timed for other schools -is simply that. It has nothing whatsoever to do with Christmas, more to do with employees who have children in schools that observe that particular timing.

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

I was reading an ADEC teacher's blog over the weekend, and she carefully referred to it as the "mid-term break" and emphasized elsewhere that it was NOT a "Christmas break."

Yes, the students always thought it terrible that we had to work on Christmas, but they are not the ones that set the breaks. Politics and local religious authorities are likely to make it an issue if everyone begins to refer to it as a "Christmas" break.

VS