Teacher's Handbook
HOW TO FIT IN AS A NEW TEACHER
D
uring your first two months in
the UAE, you will gain a lot of
new experiences. It can be a
stressful time as you may be
unsure of what to do, where to go, who
to ask and what questions to ask.
The UAE classroom shares many
similarities with Western classrooms.
Unique differences are potentially
linked to the country’s culture, which
is intricately linked to religion and the
mother tongue, Arabic.
This article provides a few ideas that
you can use to fit in during the first few
months.
Be respectful & culturally
aware
The culture of the UAE is rich with
Arabic traditions. You will see Arab
men doing the ‘nose kiss’ (Khashm-
makh) or holding hands in public.
Do not make rude assumptions or
remarks. The ‘nose kiss’ is an important
tribal custom and way of greeting that
represents the values of respect, pride
and Bedouin identity upheld by most
Arabs in the Gulf region. You will find
that some Emiratis in traditionally rich
areas will stare at you if you are not
modestly attired. Do not react with
unkind comments or looks. The UAE is
a Muslim country and modest attire is
expected.
The language barrier is real
Arabic is traditionally rich and strictly
spoken in their tight knit family circle.
You will find that some of your Arabic
students (mainly the younger ones)
tend to struggle in subjects that are not
in Arabic. Be patient and persistent.
Look for creative ways to motivate
these students to learn. Ask colleagues
for help.
Keep in mind the local customs that
govern meeting with Emiratis. Physical
contact between the sexes outside of
family is discouraged. Try to meet the
parents early and develop a rapport
with them. Some parents may become
emotional when addressing issues
relating to their children. Diplomacy is
key. Do not take offence. If the situation
is about to become overwhelming for
you, seek help from your supervisor or
vice-principal.
social gatherings. Accept the invitation
and turn up with a gift. Network with
others. Your school community and
friends made outside of school are
your family away from home.
Keep a positive outlook
You will find that some things are done
differently here than in your home
country. You will also notice that some
teachers are quite vocal about these
differences. You are not in your home
country.
Each school has a different way of
doing things. When you become a
complainer, you will find many things
to complain about. Additionally,
constantly complaining could cause
your colleagues to think that you are
just an unhappy person. Every school
wants teachers who love their jobs,
and who are being amazing teachers.
Participate & create Be patient
Throughout the school year, there will
be numerous activities and events. Get
involved. Join committees that match
your skills set. Challenge yourself by
accepting leadership roles on these
committees. Share creative ideas
for events that you think would be
beneficial to your school community.
Participating shows that you are
invested in your school. The UAE is a very advanced country,
but you will find that sometimes things
take a while to get done. Don’t be in
a rush. Understand that the language
barrier, differences in culture and
personalities can contribute to things
to taking a longer time. Try not to be
too critical. Avoid comparisons with
your home country. Complaining and
criticising will not make things happen
more efficiently. Be resourceful.
Ask your colleagues and friends for
suggestions on how to get things
done a bit easier. Good luck!
Teachers from your school, as well
as those with whom you interacted
during orientation will invite you to