| Before I arrived, I expected Abu Dhabi to be all shiny | | | | give up are helpful. What I miss are the relationships I |
| and high rise flats, I was surprised by how beautiful | | | | had with the children and their parents. Even in |
| the corniche was and how green and spacious the | | | | international schools the language barrier is not so |
| place is. The job puts you in a unique and privileged | | | | much an issue, as it is, in the government schools |
| position in the country; working with local Emiratis is | | | | here. Parents can be illiterate in Arabic, so having a |
| an honour, as most expatriate workers do not get to | | | | chat in English is out of the question. Although once |
| learn so much about the rich and diverse culture first | | | | they get to know you, you will be brought food, |
| hand. The job is demanding and constantly changes, | | | | gifts of Oud (perfume) and invitations to weddings, |
| often at the last minute, so being flexible, is a key | | | | which I definitely recommend attending, if only to |
| attribute. | | | | see six whole goats on rice and wait 4 hours for the |
| As an Advisory Partnership Teacher I make a | | | | bride to turn up. |
| weekly timetable of contact times with teachers, | | | | Socially there are many things to do: health clubs, |
| which typically, involves being in the classroom | | | | sports clubs, cultural activities and restaurants from |
| working alongside each teacher. I track teacher and | | | | every country. You can; eat chocolate in a Belgian |
| pupil progress and model lessons on everything from | | | | Cafe, drink beer in a German Bar, eat fish and chips |
| behaviour management to lesson structure. I help | | | | in a British pub or eat surrounded by belly dancers in |
| teachers each week with their planning, write | | | | a Lebanese restaurant. Being by the sea the array of |
| assessments and give training on marking, | | | | seafood restaurants is immense; the Japanese Sushi |
| examination procedure and constructive revision | | | | restaurant is a personal favourite. It is a very easy |
| techniques. It is rewarding to watch a teacher | | | | lifestyle. You can have a ‘holiday of a lifetime' |
| progress from ‘chalk and talk' teaching with a | | | | every holiday and still save enough for your |
| class, who are half asleep, to being in a room of | | | | mortgage! |
| motivated children, all on task with a happy and | | | | My advice to anyone would be to take up an |
| enthusiastic teacher. It can naturally be frustrating, as | | | | international teaching job in the UAE. It truly is a |
| it is human nature to be resistant to change, so | | | | wonderful place. |
| patience, a ‘thick skin' and the ability to never | | | | |