The International Schools of Choueifat as academic background are the best in UAE.
Unfortunately, I have heard that teachers are not well paid.

Hi there,
yes, I am in Dubai. Life is good here, but is becoming pretty expensive lately.
Maybe you can read a bit......:

http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2007/05/c ... 40000.html

&

http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2007/07/h ... -high.html

:)

[quote="Umm Rashid"]If you are a parent keep your children away from ESOL's schools too, as it's a waste of time and money. I am a parent and had a hard time with the other Dubai ESOL school Deira International School.
The ESOL Dubai is managed by Bassam Abushakra. Deira Internationals headmaster is John Bastable. He claims unique experience, but after a quick search at google is evident that is only from India.
For John Bastable I can say that he is very dishonest man, who often fabricates fictional statements in order to defend his wrong decisions. His has a an over sized ego that can't be wounded at any price and if you dare to complain, be ready for ridiculous behavior. He performs with the confidence of a white man in India.
In my opinion ESOL management in Dubai depends only on large advertisement campaigns featuring the provided by Al Futtaim state of art school facilities. The school is following a policy of entertainment. Every week some sort of festival, . or celebration is going on and the teachers have conferences.
I can't comment on the teachers vacancies, but can tell for sure that many parents have withdrawn their children from DIS thanks to the very poor academic standards[/quote]

If you are a parent keep your children away from ESOL's schools too, as it's a waste of time and money. I am a parent and had a hard time with the other Dubai ESOL school Deira International School.
The ESOL Dubai is managed by Bassam Abushakra. Deira Internationals headmaster is John Bastable. He claims unique experience, but after a quick search at google is evident that is only from India. I presume the both are the reqruters for ESOL Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
For John Bastable I can say that he is very dishonest man, who often fabricates fictional statements in order to defend his wrong decisions. His has a an over sized ego that can't be wounded at any price and if you dare to complain, be ready for ridiculous behavior. He performs with the confidence of a white man in India.
In my opinion ESOL management depends only on large advertisement campaigns featuring the provided by Al Futtaim state of art school facilities. The school is following a policy of entertainment. Every week some sort of . is going on or the teachers have conferences.
I can't comment on the teachers vacancies, but can tell for sure that many parents have withdrawn their children from DIS coz of very poor academic standards

[quote]I am aware that the limited places for students fill up so there is a demand for more teachers, but is it a case where schools are happy to get teachers with less experience just to get a warm body in the classroom and collect the tuition?

It seems very unfair![/

Yes, indeed! We have paid around 8 000 US $ for first grade at Deira International School. Our child received second to none academic background, non-competitive with other school's requirements. The Arabic language education is not second to none, but non-existent, despite rules from Ministry of Education. After one year with largely advertised *highly qualified teachers* Jacqueline Schwartz and Mrs. Nasra, our child didn't pass the admission tests for other schools, despite the very good marks in the daily school book. The teachers are careless and just passing easy time. We consider that school a total waste of time and money.
I, as parent was treated with arrogance, insulted and humiliated by primary school principal Martin Clifford, headmaster John Bastable and ESOL's supervisor Bassam Abushakra. In my opinion and to second xyz, many schools in Dubai will hire any one just to keep the enrollment flowing and charge the high fees to parents who wish the best for their children.
Many take for granted the reaches of the Middle East and believe that people here are fools with bags of money..............I guess it's the right place for ESOL.
:( [/quote]

My sister's girls are there and like it a lot. The school is 30 min away from the city centre which is the Deira City Centre. The area is high class.

Hi there,
you can google www.expatwomen.com and join the Dubai forum.
Also see www.dubaichronicle.com
From a personal experience, I can advise you to stay a way from all ESOL schools: Deira International School and Universal American School.
A good American school is Dubai American Academy
Good Luck