Hello,
Does anyone know what it is like being a teacher for the SABIS/PPP/ADEC
program (NOT to be confused with teaching at the Intl Choueifat Schools
w/SABIS) ??
I am interested in current info for the 2010-2011 year in terms of
benefits, housing situation (clean, modern, well-furnished), salary,
etc... ?
ADEC= Abu Dhabi Educational Council
THANKS! :D
SABIS/PPP/ADEC project info?
ADEC
I know 2 people teaching for ADEC. You will teach Emiraties, generally very nice welcoming people. However, the system is set up to make sure they all get A's and not have to do much work. If you are fine with a relaxed school environment, lower standards than int'l schools, then it is pretty good. The pay is quite high, accomodations are good apts, workload light. The biggest complaint is the boredom of teaching and living in isolated environs.
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Zsejanko
I have a few friends who work for ADEC and they cite that it's actually hard work! Not sure where your friend is at in the UAE, but perhaps they are in a smaller rural area? Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the more remote rural areas are where usually people get placed. There are of course many pros and cons to the areas :
a) Abu Dhabi : Great social / city life bc of the amount of foreigners, clubs, restaurants, malls, leisure spots that the glam and glitzy city has to offer. But the housing is usually a bust. Due to the fact that spaces are limited and you're in the city where the rent is high, ADEC usually places you in a " suburbian " area where although the house looks great, you will need a car to drive and and forth to work. Apparently, a driver's license and a car is required to work in areas where you will be places in Abu Dhabi. Also, the city schools are a lot tougher.
b) Al Ain : Apparently the best of both worlds. It's called the " Garden City " of UAE bc it's a lot " greener " than the surrounding areas, despite it being the hottest area. I suppose it's the " suburban " area where the schools are a lot nicer and the people live a more laid back lifestyle. Al Ain is roughly 1 hr away from Abu Dhabi City.
c) Rural areas : The most laid back of all schools but extremely isolated with little developed roads ( think dirt roads ), farming communities that are sparsely spread out. You will probably be the only foreigner within the next 10 miles. I personally have done the rural bit before and IT WAS FANTASTIC! You get to connect more with the community and you can do so much more with the kids and the schools due to the " lax " rules.
The pay is great ( approx. $ 3500 USD / month, tax free ), the housing is awesome ( usually newly built, modern style apartments in villa complexes ), round trip flights.
However, the work is apparently hard in most schools. The " laid back, easy environment " is rare. The administration works in a very traditional Emirati way ( after all you will be employed by the Education council ). Most people will not speak English and teaching assistants are rare in the classroom. You will be in charge of teaching the core subjects of English, Math, Science and Art in ENGLISH without any teaching assistants ( even for the younger grades of kindergarten - Grade 3 ). The classes are mixed / co-ed up until Grade 3. However, by Grade 4 and up, the classes will be segregated by gender. Senior High School teachers have a tougher time...bc there are SEVERE discipline issues in the classroom ( especially with the boys ). Parents spoil their kids in the UAE, and parents who have money tend to do it the best. Discipline is a major issue in UAE schools (whether international or public ). Also, expect to attend many meetings held by ADEC ( professional development of sorts ). The work is hard ( due to the complete lack of English amongst the students ). All you have to do is imagine that you go up there with all your students staring at you, without speaking a word of English. Then you will have to try and explain the concept in science, Math or English IN English as best as you can. Most of the times, the foreign teachers are to adhere to strict cultural rules ( wearing a head scarf in class, respecting the Ramadan ). IN regards to the school policies and practices, grades ARE TO BE FUDGED. Every kid is expected to pass with flying colours.
How do I know all this? I have a few friends who work for ADEC. I was also interviewed for ADEC a few months ago but turned it down where I was given a fair bit of information by one of the council heads and interviewers.
a) Abu Dhabi : Great social / city life bc of the amount of foreigners, clubs, restaurants, malls, leisure spots that the glam and glitzy city has to offer. But the housing is usually a bust. Due to the fact that spaces are limited and you're in the city where the rent is high, ADEC usually places you in a " suburbian " area where although the house looks great, you will need a car to drive and and forth to work. Apparently, a driver's license and a car is required to work in areas where you will be places in Abu Dhabi. Also, the city schools are a lot tougher.
b) Al Ain : Apparently the best of both worlds. It's called the " Garden City " of UAE bc it's a lot " greener " than the surrounding areas, despite it being the hottest area. I suppose it's the " suburban " area where the schools are a lot nicer and the people live a more laid back lifestyle. Al Ain is roughly 1 hr away from Abu Dhabi City.
c) Rural areas : The most laid back of all schools but extremely isolated with little developed roads ( think dirt roads ), farming communities that are sparsely spread out. You will probably be the only foreigner within the next 10 miles. I personally have done the rural bit before and IT WAS FANTASTIC! You get to connect more with the community and you can do so much more with the kids and the schools due to the " lax " rules.
The pay is great ( approx. $ 3500 USD / month, tax free ), the housing is awesome ( usually newly built, modern style apartments in villa complexes ), round trip flights.
However, the work is apparently hard in most schools. The " laid back, easy environment " is rare. The administration works in a very traditional Emirati way ( after all you will be employed by the Education council ). Most people will not speak English and teaching assistants are rare in the classroom. You will be in charge of teaching the core subjects of English, Math, Science and Art in ENGLISH without any teaching assistants ( even for the younger grades of kindergarten - Grade 3 ). The classes are mixed / co-ed up until Grade 3. However, by Grade 4 and up, the classes will be segregated by gender. Senior High School teachers have a tougher time...bc there are SEVERE discipline issues in the classroom ( especially with the boys ). Parents spoil their kids in the UAE, and parents who have money tend to do it the best. Discipline is a major issue in UAE schools (whether international or public ). Also, expect to attend many meetings held by ADEC ( professional development of sorts ). The work is hard ( due to the complete lack of English amongst the students ). All you have to do is imagine that you go up there with all your students staring at you, without speaking a word of English. Then you will have to try and explain the concept in science, Math or English IN English as best as you can. Most of the times, the foreign teachers are to adhere to strict cultural rules ( wearing a head scarf in class, respecting the Ramadan ). IN regards to the school policies and practices, grades ARE TO BE FUDGED. Every kid is expected to pass with flying colours.
How do I know all this? I have a few friends who work for ADEC. I was also interviewed for ADEC a few months ago but turned it down where I was given a fair bit of information by one of the council heads and interviewers.
-
Zsejanko