When I lived there 3 yr ago with my wife and kid, we spent about $300/wk, mainly groceries, common expenses (gas, phone, t.v etc), and eating out twice a week. When probably went out partying once/twice a month.

I worked there a few years back (DAA). Generally run well, professional, plenty of resources. Many of the people I worked with went off to much better jobs at Tier 1 schools in Asia and Europe. Based on that, I think it won't hurt your future job opportunities. Keep in mind though, it is a very corporate structure and some didn't like that element and left after their 2 yr contract was up.

Good deal, take it....

The only 3 I know of with decent reps is in Kobe, Singapore and Trinidad. However the pay packages are very avg for their location. However, good spots if you are early in your career.

I would agree with 1500AED/week. To spend less, one would have to basically not go out at all. If saving more is a concern, try private tutoring at 200AED/hr. Then you would be able to save much more.

Hi,
I worked there a few years ago. It is a run of the mill, average school. They generally leave you alone to teach. Don't complain too much and all is well. Expectations aren't that demanding either. Most staff are gone by 4, including admin. Pay is avg., tutoring is widely available, so one can save some money. Dubai is good for singles, not so much for families.

Bedding is often not in your apt, therefore bring pillow and sheets that you really love. Definitely towels as you will want to shower right away. Most important for the long term were pics of family and friends to put up on those bare walls and pots and pans if you love cooking. If the place is westernized, most things can be bought if you aren't picky about the name brands. However, some items can be expensive there so check online for prices or talk to a teacher already there

Which schools offer 1 yr initially other than Curacao and St Marten? Seems like a low risk entry/tryout?

Johannesburg, is a high security compound on a hilltop in the country (so i was old by S.Africans). It used to pay very well, excellent school but it had a rep for danger out of the compound. I got this info 3 yrs ago.

You can easily get the training in Canada. Go to the IBO website and do it as a week long summer course. I know it runs in Toronto every summer. Obviously you wouldn't get experience, but you would have the training. It will help getting a job. My family just got back from overseas teaching and are working in Canada as well. I can retire at 57 as well and plan on heading back out again. Hope it goes well for you.

Goin Places,
ASD just moved to a new campus last year and increased enrolment from 900 to more than 1500. There have probably added even more for next year. They always had a massive waiting list to get in. Some of the older staff have been grumbling about the move as they lost their villas across from the old campus in jumerah. I think they are moving staff more into condos, so many went out recruiting bemoaning things have changed too much. I know many DAA teachers took jobs there and seemed to like it. All in all, it offers the best package in Dubai for an american school by far and has the best rep. The new location is across the street from where I lived. It is close to the beach 5-10 mins drive, but there is nothing close to walk to. Also a lot of construction in the area. I couldn't see myself living in Dubai long term due to my kids and lack of activities other than shopping, but ASD would be the place to go back for. Good luck......

I used to teach at DAA and travelled to UAS when I coached. The school has nice facilities, very new. The coaches thought the school was very average, not very enthusiastic, however thought it was okay. The campus is out by the Ikea, fairly isolated, and surrounded by malls. I seem to recall talk of sharing apts for singles. Is your wife teaching as well? If so, saving $20000+ should be easy, especially if you tutor after school. Dubai can be very expensive if you don't cook at home and go drinking a lot, otherwise savings can be achieved. You are better off teaching at DAA or ASD, but UAS is okay. I really didn't like the location though. Good luck

I know 2 people teaching for ADEC. You will teach Emiraties, generally very nice welcoming people. However, the system is set up to make sure they all get A's and not have to do much work. If you are fine with a relaxed school environment, lower standards than int'l schools, then it is pretty good. The pay is quite high, accomodations are good apts, workload light. The biggest complaint is the boredom of teaching and living in isolated environs.

Saving $25000 total between the 2 of you can easily be achieved in the Middle East and Asia. The total could be closer to $40000-50000 if you both decide to tutor kids after school. This is fairly common in the Middle East (esp Gulf states). My wife and I did it in UAE and saved $50000/yr and travelled out of country 3-4 times a year with child. However, you will have to live fairly frugally in terms of eating and drinking out. We went out drinking once/month and ate out out once a week (not high end). We also bought a $3000 car, worked great, but obviously not glamourous. We did join a club w/pool, tennis etc in our 2nd yr. We decided to go back to our old school board now that we had travelled (the best part of the 2 yrs) and had savings. Tutoring while lucrative, does get tiresome after a couple of years. I think saving that kind of money in Latin America/Europe is difficult. But there are a few high paying schools in S.America. Hope this helps. It is definitely an exciting lifestyle overseas with a lot of opportunities. Make sure your school covers kids tuition and yearly flights home, otherwise it will cost a lot for those.

My wife teaches high school art and whenever we have gone recruiting she is always in demand. Usually there are fewer openings but way fewer applicants as well. We last recruited in 2007.