I'm a teacher in Dubai, AMA wrote: » There are a few GAA clubs over here, so if you're in anyway sporty, I imagine that would help the transition a bit quicker.
I'm a teacher in Dubai, AMA wrote: » I kind of feel like I'm repeating myself now, so this is the last time I'm answering this type of question, if people don't mind.
Mars Bar wrote: » I'm a teacher in Dubai, AMA wrote: » No, sadly I am not going to Westlife on Thursday.�� (Although if you know of anyone selling two tickets, I'm your gal!) I'm teaching in Secondary, not primary, but my school goes right the way up from Junior Infants to 6th Year of Secondary. Looking at the facilities that even a "midmarket" school like mine has, it is really depressing to think of the lack of facilities in a lot schools back home. The Dept of Ed back home really do need to make a serious investment in education, but we all know that the likelihood of that happening is sadly less than zero! My contracted hours are 7am to either 3pm or 4pm, depending on the day, but I often end up bringing a lot of paperwork home. I don't teach a "core curricular" subject, so I see an average of 600 kids per week. There's a lot of marking and planning as a result, which I just don't get the time I need to get it done in my normal work hours. Wa ‘alaykum al-salaam min eind Dubai!! A massive part of my job is to go to schools in Abu Dhabi and deliver football coaching sessions as part of the ECA or ECP. Full size astro pitches and swimming pools...it just makes your eyes water. I am aware that parents are paying good money for it, though. I always slightly envy the package that teachers get. One return flight a year, accommodation and the sweet teacher promotions on car rentals and some brunches.
I'm a teacher in Dubai, AMA wrote: » No, sadly I am not going to Westlife on Thursday.�� (Although if you know of anyone selling two tickets, I'm your gal!) I'm teaching in Secondary, not primary, but my school goes right the way up from Junior Infants to 6th Year of Secondary. Looking at the facilities that even a "midmarket" school like mine has, it is really depressing to think of the lack of facilities in a lot schools back home. The Dept of Ed back home really do need to make a serious investment in education, but we all know that the likelihood of that happening is sadly less than zero! My contracted hours are 7am to either 3pm or 4pm, depending on the day, but I often end up bringing a lot of paperwork home. I don't teach a "core curricular" subject, so I see an average of 600 kids per week. There's a lot of marking and planning as a result, which I just don't get the time I need to get it done in my normal work hours. Wa ‘alaykum al-salaam min eind Dubai!!
I'm a teacher in Dubai, AMA wrote: » There's a good mix of students. I teach both some of the loveliest students, and some of the most self-entitled and downright rudest students I've ever taught. In a good school, the rude and self-entitled ones will be put back in their boxes by management quick enough!
Galwayguy35 wrote: » how long is the school year over there, I mean do the students get the same amount of holidays as here in Ireland?
ILoveYourVibes wrote: » Why wouldn't you want to settle there long term? Are students more studious there? What are the differences between the young and old in politics social attitudes etc? Are they just as conservative or less so? Have you learnt any Arabic?
I'm a teacher in Dubai, AMA wrote: » The school this year begins on 1st September, and finishes on 2nd July, so it is a longer year. We get a one week break in October, 3 weeks for Christmas, and one week in February. We also get most of the national and religious holidays off. For the holy month of Ramadan, schools are all on reduced hours because a lot of the teachers and students will be fasting. At the end of Ramadan we get a few days off for the Eid celebrations.
Sam Quentin wrote: » Are GAA jerseys not illegal and would they not be stoned for wearing them in public!? And also how do the players cope with not being stoned drunk every weekend like they do here in Ireland?
Mars Bar wrote: » 2 weeks for spring break too
CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: » Don't feel you have to repeat the same question all the time. If you don't mind what subject(s) do you teach?
Deanov wrote: » I have heard teachers have to amend markings to offset aggrieved parents. Is this true. Would make me doubt the system and actual grades...
Stroke Politics wrote: » Love this AMA, well done to you! Just wondering if there are any older Irish teachers in Dubai/UAE? I’m 50 and mortgage won’t be paid off until I’m 67, so was considering going out for a two year period in about 8 or 10 years time once my own children are finished college. Would I have any chance of getting a job out there or would they not take me on account of my age?
Gloomtastic! wrote: » Interested in how management put them back in their boxes. Can you expand please?
Fan of Netflix wrote: » Know a good few teachers either out there or have been out there, it's pretty grim the way younger teachers are treated here with no hours, no pay, only subbing etc. Do you think it will improve here for teachers in the next few years ? Have you been to Abu Dhabi? Irish teachers there too What is the nightlife like, is it much different to here with Irish bars, nightclubs etc? Have you ever encountered Christy or Daniel Kinahan, or any of the Irish drug dealers that live in exile in Dubai? Lol
Dr.Sanchez wrote: » If you ever get bored with Dubai, you could look at Northeast Scotland. I lived there for five years (Aberdeen) and they were advertising for teachers on the telly - they are that desperate! It's not a bad place to live either, only an hour from Dublin.
I'm a teacher in Dubai, AMA wrote: » Yeah, the situation back home is very grim. I'd love to think that there's going to be a dramatic improvement in the next few years, but considering how long the Department of Education and Teaching Council have already had to try and fix the problems for teachers back home, I'm not optimistic. In my own opinion, when the Minister for Education came to Dubai to meet the expat teachers, and hear all about why we weren't coming home to teach, he came across as very apathetic to it all, and didn't really engage with any of the teachers or topics that were brought up. If that's the attitude that the head of the Department of Education has towards teachers both at home and abroad, then I can't see a single thing changing for the better, which is so disheartening and frustrating!I've only been to Any Dhabi on a day trip to the Grand Mosque (would highly recommend, the architecture is absolutely stunning!), but I'm hoping to go up there a bit more this year. Any suggestions for places not to miss in Abu Dhabi? There's no shortage of nightlife over here! There are bars (Irish and otherwise) aplenty, and (very, very) boozy "brunches" (all you can eat & drink for usually 3 or 4 hours). I think the main difference between here and home, is that when you go out drinking/partying, you're really going to go for it. It's rare that I've been on a casual night out with just the one or two drinks, which is a shame, since I'm not a big drinker. No, I've never met any of them (as far as I'm aware, anyway)!
Mistynight wrote: » Interesting thread. Thanks for taking the time. Two quesions: Would adding a second subject make it easier to find realistic hours at home?
I'm a teacher in Dubai, AMA wrote: » Thanks. I'm a secondary school Music teacher.
Stopitwillya wrote: » 30k tax free and your accommodation paid for is not the same as some poor fool earning that money in somewhere like Dublin and paying a fortune in tax and rent. But then again you are only in here to troll and insult like the rest of the threads you do it. What a loser.
CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: » I'm not a teacher but have been involved in school admin so I'll answer on that basis. Yes it would make it much easier to get hours. Music is one of the worst single subjects to have. An Irish school that has one class of music for each year group maxes at 13 or 14 hours for a music teacher. Thats not a full time job. There are very few Irish schools that would have multiple music classes in a year group. There's massive demands for maths, sciences and languages but massive oversupply for music and some other subjects. Off the top of my head I will refer to a large Irish secondary school that has 2 teachers who teach music. Both have another subject they use that gives most of their hours. There is another teacher employed by the school that is qualified to teach music but doesn't have any music hours.
Fan of Netflix wrote: » As far as I'm aware English and History are two of the most oversubscribed. Can be very difficult getting work with them.
vriesmays wrote: » That's not even the average wage in Ireland. She could have stayed and got a better job in a different area but those who can do while those who can't teach.
Mars Bar wrote: » Qasr Al Watan, Emirates Palace, The Founders Memorial and the Heritage Village are all close to each other. There's the new Qasr Al Hosn. I'm assuming you went across to Wahat Al Karama when you visited the Mosque? I haven't been to the Louvre or the nearby Manarat Al Saadiyat but you can go to the Louvre and you can kayak around it. That's on my list to do. Then there's the stuff on Yas Island such as Warner Bros., The Waterworld and Ferrari World (with the fastest rollercoaster in the world).
CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: » Quiet possibly. I was referring to foreign languages when I said languages. History was one I was thinking of when I said there's other subjects with over supply. English definitely has a high supply but there's a high demand too. If you have a useful in demand second subject you will definitely get a lot of hours as an English teacher. Too many mono subject English teachers though.
I'm a teacher in Dubai, AMA wrote: » Yeah, the situation back home is very grim. I'd love to think that there's going to be a dramatic improvement in the next few years, but considering how long the Department of Education and Teaching Council have already had to try and fix the problems for teachers back home, I'm not optimistic. In my own opinion, when the Minister for Education came to Dubai to meet the expat teachers, and hear all about why we weren't coming home to teach, he came across as very apathetic to it all, and didn't really engage with any of the teachers or topics that were brought up. If that's the attitude that the head of the Department of Education has towards teachers both at home and abroad, then I can't see a single thing changing for the better, which is so disheartening and frustrating! I've only been to Any Dhabi on a day trip to the Grand Mosque (would highly recommend, the architecture is absolutely stunning!), but I'm hoping to go up there a bit more this year. Any suggestions for places not to miss in Abu Dhabi? There's no shortage of nightlife over here! There are bars (Irish and otherwise) aplenty, and (very, very) boozy "brunches" (all you can eat & drink for usually 3 or 4 hours). I think the main difference between here and home, is that when you go out drinking/partying, you're really going to go for it. It's rare that I've been on a casual night out with just the one or two drinks, which is a shame, since I'm not a big drinker. No, I've never met any of them (as far as I'm aware, anyway)!
