Educational Advising in Abu Dhabi

Before I arrived, I expected Abu Dhabi to be all shiny and high rise flats

, I was surprised by how beautiful the corniche was and how green and spacious the place is. The job puts you in a unique and privileged position in the country; working with local Emiratis is an honour, as most expatriate workers do not get to learn so much about the rich and diverse culture first hand. The job is demanding and constantly changes, often at the last minute, so being flexible, is a key attribute.

As an Advisory Partnership Teacher I make a weekly timetable of contact times with teachers, which typically, involves being in the classroom working alongside each teacher. I track teacher and pupil progress and model lessons on everything from behaviour management to lesson structure. I help teachers each week with their planning, write assessments and give training on marking, examination procedure and constructive revision techniques. It is rewarding to watch a teacher progress from chalk and talk' teaching with a class, who are half asleep, to being in a room of motivated children, all on task with a happy and enthusiastic teacher. It can naturally be frustrating, as it is human nature to be resistant to change, so patience, a thick skin' and the ability to never give up are helpful. What I miss are the relationships I had with the children and their parents. Even in international schools the language barrier is not so much an issue, as it is, in the government schools here. Parents can be illiterate in Arabic, so having a chat in English is out of the question. Although once they get to know you, you will be brought food, gifts of Oud (perfume) and invitations to weddings, which I definitely recommend attending, if only to see six whole goats on rice and wait 4 hours for the bride to turn up.

Socially there are many things to do: health clubs, sports clubs, cultural activities and restaurants from every country. You can; eat chocolate in a Belgian Cafe, drink beer in a German Bar, eat fish and chips in a British pub or eat surrounded by belly dancers in a Lebanese restaurant. Being by the sea the array of seafood restaurants is immense; the Japanese Sushi restaurant is a personal favourite. It is a very easy lifestyle. You can have a holiday of a lifetime' every holiday and still save enough for your mortgage!

My advice to anyone would be to take up an international teaching job in the UAE. It truly is a wonderful place.

Educational Advising in Abu Dhabi

By: James Haston

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