Advisory Teaching in Abu Dhabi

Teachanywhere has placed hundreds of Advisory teachers in positions around the world for over 4 years. We work with many different providers to provide you with the best opportunities and information. Our unique position as a ‘one stop shop’ allows us to appreciate the subtle differences between the jobs, locations and employment packages, and to accumulate knowledge of exactly what each hiring organisation is looking for, giving you the best chance of landing your dream job abroad. What is Advisory Teaching? Advisory teachers are highly experienced classroom teachers and school leaders who work with state school teachers in foreign countries to improve their methods of teaching and the quality of learning. Many of the schools undergoing reform are staffed with teachers who are highly educated in their subjects but may not have the most up-to-date training on the newest teaching methods, using rote learning, and lacking the interactive, student –led structures that characterise current best practice. Whilst the projects are authorised from the highest levels of government, as with any programme of change, some teachers/school leaders will be more accepting of change and some will be more resistant and Advisory teachers need to have many different strategies to deal with the full range of behaviours. Advisory teachers must implement change, which is never easy, but also implement it across cultures. The Advisor implement change through their high calibre influencing skills and relationship building rather than through direct line management. This means that empathy, listening skills, respect, cultural sensitivity as well as up-to-date outcomes- based teaching skills are required. Not all teachers make good leaders, and not all teachers and leaders make good advisors. The Abu Dhabi government has authorised a select number of companies to deliver reform and each company is assigned a group or “cluster” of schools with which to work. Each company delivering educational reform has a slightly different method of organising and delivering reform but generally, each school under reform will have specialist advisory teachers who are matched to the subject, age range and gender of the school and the advisors work as team. A typical subject level advisor be school based and will work with the relevant group of teachers within their assigned school to improve lesson planning, classroom management and pace of lessons, as well as to introduce the concept of outcomes-based education through workshops, group planning, co-teaching, example lessons and carefully delivered feedback. A Lead Advisor or Partnership Management Advisor will oversee the whole school results as well as mentor the local Principal and most companies have a local central office to deal with HR issues.

Advisory Teaching in Abu Dhabi Some providers have a Cluster Director to oversee the reform across several schools, to which the Partnership Management Advisors/Lead Advisors report. Some providers are structured to have certain Advisory staff who are shared across several schools and this can occur with certain subjects such as ICT, Science, or Special Educational Needs, as well as specialist trainers or assessors. What are the requirements to be an Advisory Teacher? The minimum requirements are set by the Ministry of Education, rather than any one provider so they are common throughout all projects. Advisors are normally recruited from western countries such as the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa but some will accept teachers of other nationalities provided they have had significant training or experience from one of the countries listed and are completely fluent in English. Some providers will not accept advisory staff who are over 59 years of age, due to the increased visa cost, but others will. Subject- level Advisory Teachers Subjects needed:   

Early Years (ages 2-6) – Female only Primary (ages 6-10) – Most posts are for Females. Limited posts for Male advisors Secondary/Middle/High School - Male and Female o Mathematics o Science o English o English as a Foreign Language o Information Technology (ICT) o Special Educational Needs (called Additional Learning Needs or SENCO)

Advisors are not being recruited for any other subjects so experienced teachers of Humanities, MFL, PE, Business, etc will not be considered. Candidates must have full teaching qualifications such as a Bachelors/Masters of Education, Qualified Teacher Status, Full US Teacher Certification, PGCE/PGDE or equivalent that enables you to teach the subject and level above. Candidates must have a minimum of 3 years of recent experience teaching the relevant subject/level above, but most providers prefer more. Complete English fluency and experience of teaching in an English-speaking western school is required. Candidates must have significant experience of mentoring and training other teachers. Candidates must be culturally sensitive. Experience of working in the Middle East is a benefit. Lead Advisors/ Management Advisors   

Early Years – Female only Primary – Most posts are for Females with limited posts for Males Secondary/Middle/High School – Male and Female

Advisory Teaching in Abu Dhabi Candidates must have full teaching qualifications such as a Bachelors/Masters of Education, Qualified Teacher Status, Full US Teacher Certification, PGCE/PGDE or equivalent that enables you to teach the subject and level above. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of recent teaching experience and at least 2 years of experience as a whole school leader (Principal/Director/Head Teacher). Complete English fluency and experience of teaching in an English-speaking western school is required. Candidates must be culturally sensitive. Experience of working in the Middle East is a benefit. Candidates must have significant experience of mentoring and training teachers, as well as experience mentoring other school leaders. Non-Advisory Roles - Licensed Teachers The Abu Dhabi government now hires a number of western teachers to work in their state schools. These teachers will often be working in a school under reform and alongside the Advisory teachers but their role is not usually an Advisory one. These roles are suitable for teachers who wish to take on a full-time classroom teaching role rather than an Advisory one, or who do not yet have enough experience training and mentoring other teachers. Whilst they will obviously be participating in the reform project, being a part of a school undergoing transition, their role will be as a class teacher. These roles are suitable for confident teachers of the following subjects who can effectively work within a foreign state school system.   

Early Years Teacher (English/Arabic Bilingual is a plus) Primary Teachers Secondary/Middle/High School English Teachers

Candidates for these roles need to know that they will be working in state schools, not posh wellresourced international schools and will be reporting to the local Principal rather than to the Advisory staff. Candidates must be culturally sensitive, flexible, adaptable and professionally competent. Candidates must be younger than 58 years old at the start of contract. Candidates must have full teaching qualifications such as a Bachelors/Masters of Education, Qualified Teacher Status, Full US Teacher Certification, PGCE/PGDE or equivalent that enables you to teach the subject and level above. Candidates must be fully teacher trained and experienced in one of the following countries; US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa and, with the exception of the Bilingual Early years teachers, be native English speakers. Advisors in Abu Dhabi work in state schools that are usually separated by gender after age 6, and Advisors are required to be gender matched to the gender of their schools. Holiday plans vary by

Advisory Teaching in Abu Dhabi post and provider, but Advisors are usually expected to be present during normal UAE school hours/days, and to work after school to provide training and attend meetings. The UAE work week is Sunday to Thursday, with weekends being Friday and Saturday. The school year normally runs from September to June, though the calendar varies yearly and is subject to Ministry of Education approval. Advisors can expect that they will be required to arrive well before the school year starts for orientation and preparation, and to stay after the school year ends. Most lessons are delivered in English, though in the past Arabic was the medium of instruction so fluency levels vary and therefore knowledge of Arabic is a plus. Salary and Benefits Salary and benefits vary from provider to provider, but a general guideline of what to expect is below Type of Role Subject Level Advisor

Benefits *  Yearly flights for self, spouse and 1-2 dependent children under 18  Medical coverage  Fully furnished housing (not shared)  School fee allowance for 1-2 accompanying dependent children  Usually a 2-3 year contract  Residency sponsorship  End of contract bonus

Salary Range ** Tax free salary of 180,000 – 225,000 AED per year

Partnership Management Advisor/Lead Advisor

 Yearly flights for self, spouse and 1-2 dependent children under 18  Medical coverage  Fully furnished housing (not shared)  School fee allowance for 1-2 accompanying dependent children  Usually a 2-3 year contract  Residency sponsorship  End of contract bonus

Tax free salary of 250,000 – 275,000 AED per year

Licensed Teachers (Non-Advisory roles)

     

Tax free salary of appx 130,000 – 200,000 AED per year based on post qualification experience

Yearly Flights for self Medical Coverage Fully Furnished Housing 2-3 year contract Residency sponsorship End of contract bonus

Licensed teachers are usually contracted directly with and managed by the Abu Dhabi state school/government.

Advisory Teaching in Abu Dhabi *Note: Posts that are located in remote western regions of Abu Dhabi are not suitable for teachers with a non-Arabic speaking spouse or who have dependent children. Salaries for these posts are usually around 10% higher than for posts that are located near/in a larger city such as Abu Dhabi or Al Ain. Teachers are not entitled to monetary compensation for unused benefits or for benefits for family members who do not accompany them. ** Salary Range listed includes salary plus any monthly transport allowances Utility allowances are sometimes offered, but because utilities are inexpensive in the UAE the effect on the package is usually minimal. We normally recommend to budget 300-500 AED/month for utilities if they are not paid. How to apply? In the first instance, simply send your CV/Resume to [email protected] . A supplementary Advisory Teacher application form is available at: http://www.teachanywhere.com/advisory-teaching-jobs/default.aspx which you will need to complete. We will need both the CV and the application form. About Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi is both a city and an Emirate, and school reform is happening throughout the Emirate. As such, teachers can be placed in/around the bigger westernized cities of Abu Dhabi or Al Ain, or they can be placed in the more remote western zone region. Posts in the Western Zone are not suitable for teachers with children or a non-Arabic speaking spouse but these posts also pay more than comparable posts.

Abu Dhabi City Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is the principal city of the largest emirate of the same name and is home to the government and royal family. The island city of Abu Dhabi is a lush, modern metropolis, complete with tree lined boulevards, towering skyscrapers, dazzling shopping malls and luxurious international hotels, brimming with vibrancy. Abu Dhabi is growing rapidly, and its evolution from quiet village to thriving metropolis has been remarkable, a testament to the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed, and the energy and drive of its people. The high rise central business district is home to imaginatively designed buildings which provide a dramatic back drop to the corniche area, bordered by the sparkling azure waters of the Arabian Gulf offering a striking contrast to the large parks and green boulevards that spread across the island. Further inland the high-rises make way for beautiful villas, low rise apartment blocks and quieter

Advisory Teaching in Abu Dhabi tree-lined streets. Nothing here stands still, and future developments promise an even more exciting skyline! The outstanding aspect of life in Abu Dhabi is its dramatic contrast to its commercial neighbour, Dubai. Abu Dhabi offers all of the attractions and amenities you would expect of a modern city – restaurants, gyms, shopping malls and even a marina, but in a tranquil and relaxing setting, without the dust choking development and traffic congested streets of Dubai. Although Abu Dhabi is spending its oil and commercial wealth at a startling rate, fast on the heels of Dubai, you hardly notice the development and construction that has been contained to outlying and off shore regions. The UAE’s culture is tolerant and welcoming, and visitors are sure to be charmed by the genuine friendliness of the people. Abu Dhabi is a melting pot of nationalities and cultures; all of which are embraced without losing the cultural and national identity of which the UAE’s people are justifiably proud; a culture and heritage inextricably linked to its religion. Indeed you will find the greatest concentration of mosques in Abu Dhabi than in any other part of the Muslim world. And that is another welcoming differentiator from life in Dubai; you feel the culture, you see locals, you feel as if you experiencing the Middle East. Abu Dhabi offers a unique Arabian cultural experience comfortably balanced with the attractions of a western expatriate lifestyle.

Al Ain Let us get the bad news out of the way first. Al Ain is not on the coast. If you look at the map you will see it is equidistant from both Abu Dhabi and Dhabi; the two cities are both about 150 km away. It should take you about an hour and a half by car on Route 66 for Dubai and Route 22 for Abu Dhabi. Al Ain, which is the capital of the eastern region and Abu Dhabi emirate’s second city, nestles against the rugged peaks of the Hajar Mountains close to the Omani border, offering a superlative back drop of dune seas and a towering jagged mountain scape. It is also known as the ‘The Garden City of the Gulf’. It is a fertile oasis with extensive greenery, natural exotic landscapes and date palm farms. The name comes from the Arabic word for spring, and indeed offers a tranquil and peaceful setting within some of the most beautiful landscapes of the United Arab Emirates. It is the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the former ruler of the UAE, giving it a special status in the hearts and minds of the people. The Arabic words Al Ain mean “spring” and were taken as the city’s name due to the abundant ground water springs in the area. This ground water provided for natural oases in the desert which were the attraction to human settlement. Using ancient but efficient non-mechanized “falaj” irrigation systems, which remain to this day, the oases were developed into major date plantations which were the staff of life to the local population. Today a visit to the restored Al Ain Oasis adjacent to the museum can provide visitors with a relaxed walk providing an interesting insight to date cultivation

Advisory Teaching in Abu Dhabi Compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Al Ain offers a very relaxed pace of life. There is not much construction work and there is an absence of intrusive tower blocks. There are few traffic jams and the climate is slightly cooler and less humid than on the coast. Life is more traditional yet offers many modern amenities- shopping malls, swimming pools, hotels with bars, gyms and more. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are close by for day trips and weekend away (and the beach), but being close to the desert and mountains allows for many adventurous activities such as dune bashing, mountain biking, climbing, hang gliding and rock climbing. It is an ideal location for couples and families as well as singles who prefer a more ‘suburban’ lifestyle. Here is what teachers have said about Al Ain: “It’s hard to believe a school year flew by so quickly. I'm back in Canada for two months. I really had an awesome year in the U.A.E. I traveled to both India and Egypt during my two holidays. Next year I look forward to traveling again. The U.A.E is amazing and Al Ain is quite lovely. There was plenty for me to do- I've met great friends and I found lots of things to do. I actually thought Al Ain was smaller before I came- there are two big malls, movie theatres, several parks, and gyms. During the day I would be busy at work until 3:30, then in the afternoon I would go to the hotel gym/swimming (it is amazing and there are quite a few gyms to choose from!) In the evening I would hang out with friends, go out to the mall, or do something. Honestly I was never bored!!! I also changed my license and I rented a car. The drive to both Abu Dhabi and Dubai is less than 1.5 hours with beautiful roads.” The Western Zone Western Zone The Western Zone of Abu Dhabi lies halfway in between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, near to Oman. The largest city in the region is Shaikh Zayed City, also known as Madinat Zayed, a carefully planned two-storey-high town that is one of the few places in Abu Dhabi with a majority UAE national population. It lies east of Liwa, the better known oasis where the ancestors of most of Madinat Zayed's residents once lived, now a holiday destination famed for its natural greenery and water. A friendly and welcoming place with shops, hospitals and access to some fascinating sites listed below, a teacher placed in Madinat Zayed will experience more of the true Emirati way of life and culture. Teachers placed in this region may not have clubs or bars on their doorstep, but instead have access to dune-bashing open space, beautiful beaches within a half hour, nature spots such as Liwa and Seer Bani Yas Island on their doorstep, with the lively Dubai and Abu Dhabi nightlife less than 2 hours away. This region is suitable for single teachers or those with no children simply because there are no international schools in this region at the moment. However, teachers placed in this region can be assured of a close knit, lively and adventurous expatriate community on hand for weekend excursions and exploring. This area is suited to teachers who: 

Are comfortable with Emirati culture and/or very open and accepting of cultural differences

Advisory Teaching in Abu Dhabi     

Are single teachers or teaching couples with no dependent children Are interested in places that are ‘off the beaten path’ Are outdoorsy, imaginative and social Are interested in travel and exploration on the weekends Have a valid driving license and willing to drive, as there are limited public transport options

This region is not suited to teachers who are:    

Wanting a more urban lifestyle Needing frequent access (more than 2x a week) to the ‘comforts of home’ Wanting to visit bars/clubs on weekdays Are not completely comfortable with Emirati culture or do not want a true ‘cultural immersion’

What to do in the Western Zone Liwa Oasis Liwa is the famed fertile crescent of southern Arabia. An arc of villages, farms and plantations mark this oasis, which runs across the southernmost corner of the emirate of Abu Dhabi to the Saudi border. Why go there The vast barren expanse of the Rub Al Khali which borders Liwa or the Empty Quarter as it is otherwise known) is one of the most hauntingly expansive deserts on the planet. Liwa, made up of a series of about 50 villages, is characterised by lush pockets of verdant greenery and even the odd cabbage field. It is also the ancestral home of the Al Nahyan family, rulers of Abu Dhabi, who still maintain a vast palace on the hill opposite the Liwa hotel. What to do Liwa is no party capital – the echoing silence of the desert is more suited to a monastic retreat than a diverting weekend of dancing. However, take a short trip into the desert along the brand spanking new road and you reach the 358-foot high Moreeb, the country’s biggest sand dune where the intrepid or foolhardy can attempt to scale the shifting mound in a 4x4. Camel and horse trekking can also be organised through the hotel at dawn and dusk, as well as belly dancing shows out in the sands and desert camping. The Liwa hotel is a recently built four-star set-up which sits atop the last green hill before the desert opens up in all its alarming glory. It’s a calming place to stay with spacious rooms arranged around a large, sun-drenched pool and a pair of tennis courts. A double room and breakfast cost Dhs260 over the summer. Check out www.liwahotel.com for a map.

Advisory Teaching in Abu Dhabi http://lexicorient.com/e.o/liwa_o.htm Seer Bani Yas Island What it is A protected island nature reserve, Seer Baniyas Island is 250km west of Abu Dhabi. The island contains over 3 million forest trees, over 200,000 fruit trees, and 20 hectares of vegetables. In addition, there are various kinds of animals like Arabian Oryx and Giraffe, and over 80 species of birds like Ostrich and Peacock. http://www.ead.ae/en/?T=5&ID=10&M=13 http://www.ead.ae/en/?T=5&ID=10&M=12 http://oasisaamc.tripod.com/articles/seer_baniyas_trip.htm Dalma Island One of the ‘Discovery Islands’, Dalma Island is an archeological site and is being developed into a tourist attraction. http://www.dalmaisland.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalma_(island) http://www.adias-uae.com/dalma.html

Jebel Dhanna Resort Where On the coast, two-and-a-half hours drive west from Abu Dhabi. Why go there Principally, to see Sir Bani Yas Island, a 240 square kilometre nature reserve; but stopping at the neighbouring Jebel Dhanna hotel turns this trip into the perfect weekend getaway. What to do Take a morning trip by boat out to Sir Bani Yas Island where a guide will take you on a four-hour tour of the reserve. There you will get to see bizarre sights such as giraffes and emus roaming through the lush, irrigated vegetation Where to stay Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna was opened to cater for Bani Yas visitors, but in itself makes for a worthwhile destination. The hotel has all the amenities you would expect from a five-star property:

Advisory Teaching in Abu Dhabi watersports enthusiasts can enjoy a range of activities including kayaking, wake boarding, waterskiing, windsurfing, snorkelling and fishing, while the less actively inclined can relax on the beach or by the pool bar. There is also a massage parlour tucked away in the fitness centre offering Swedish and shiatsu rubdowns. The unexpected highlight, however, is Zaitoun; a restaurant that is as good, if not better, than many higher-profile restaurants in the Emirates. With a self-styled panArabic menu, Zaitoun offers eclectic international cuisine in a romantic, modern setting. It’s just a shame that there aren’t more visitors to this wonderful eatery. Still, it can be your best-kept secret. Eat here and then up the tempo of the evening by checking out the enthusiastic house band in the surprisingly sizable hotel bar. http://www.firstclasstravel.de/danat_resort_jebel_dhanna.htm http://www.ncth.com/hotel-detail.php?nHotId=10

Al Mirfa Resort A beachfront hotel and golf resort, Al Mirfa The hotel is located in the town of Mirfa which is 140 km west of Abu Dhabi city, giving it a pleasant feel of seclusion. It is set in 2 square km of landscaped grounds with shrubs, plants and trees as well as grassed areas and is situated on the waters edge though swimming is not allowed by the municipality because of the deep water. There is a swimming pool with an adjacent toddlers/children’s pool as well as a children’s playground with a large variety of apparatus. For sports and recreation there are two tennis courts and two basketball/volleyball courts both of which are floodlit as well as a compact gym. The hotel has dining options in the restaurant and sports bar and there is the Oriental Café for shisha and drinks al fresco. For night entertainment there is an Arabic nightclub which is frequented by locals as well as hotel guests. http://www.southtravels.com/middleeast/uae/mirfahotelabudhabi/index.html http://www.all-hotels.com/xbook/servlet/hotel-details?partner=8&hotl_id=532949 Other sites Empty Quarter http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0502/sights_n_sounds/media2.html http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/United-Arab-Emirates/Abu-Dhabi/blog-88283.html Choueifat – Rwais/Ruwais http://www.iscad-sabis.net:88/ad/main.jsp

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Advisory Teaching in Abu Dhabi

Note: the information contained in this document is not guaranteed and represents the opinions of Teachanywhere.com. Whilst we make every effort to verify the validity of all of our information, it is meant to provide general guidance for teachers wishing to consider a career in Advisory teaching in Abu Dhabi. Teachers are contracted individually by each company in the reform project and therefore teachers are encouraged to research their choices thoroughly.