UPFRON T / TE ACHING
Sunny
SIDE UP Teaching in the UAE can be a fantastic career boost but be prepared for challenges FIONA MCKENZIE
O
n a rainy day in January, whilst marking exams at the end of a stressful week, I dreamt of teaching in the sunshine, with small classes of motivated children and parents who were interested in their children’s achievements. Easy enough to daydream but more and more teachers are now acting on their dreams. With the number of schools in the UAE growing year on year, the demand for fully-qualified British teachers is growing exponentially. But how does the reality match up to the daydream and are teachers fully prepared for making such a dramatic move? The good news is that moving to teach in the UAE can be an amazing experience. It can be a fantastic career boost. In the large international schools there are plenty of opportunities for career development. But it is also crucial to be well prepared before you move so that you can make the transition smoothly and be ready to take on your first class of international children brimming with confidence and enthusiasm.
ABOVE Teaching a pupil at North London Collegiate
Having taken the plunge, applied for jobs and then been selected for interview, it is wise to find out as much as possible about the school you are considering. Do your research, ask to speak to other teachers who work there, check out its location and find out exactly what your package will include. It may be teaching in the sunshine
but it is still teaching and you need to be sure of your motivations and understand what challenges may lay ahead. Once you have accepted the post then the planning begins. This includes being smart about how you sort out your financial affairs, such as being aware of the rules surrounding pensions and National Insurance. You also need to make sure that you have all your important documents with you. My top tip is to photograph them and store them on two hard drives, leaving one in the UK in a safe pair of hands and bringing the other with you. You will need to consider
“Teaching in the UAE can provide tremendous professional development”
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31/05/2017 12:28