Recently (within the past few days), I've read a lot of negativity, on the TA facebook page, on ESL Cafe, and on the blogs. And SOOOOOOO much of it comes down to accusations of lying.
That's right. Teachers have begun to publicly accuse the government organisation that has brought them to the UAE as a part of a 10-year education reform, of lying. Of being untrustworthy, scamalicious, thieving liars.
It's very very difficult for me to believe.
Then again, it's not. It seems that many of the teachers hired over the summer have never travelled outside the US before (it seems that a majority of the complaints come, predictably, from Americans), or if they have, they have never encountered problems that their perceived status as Americans couldn't solve. These seem, for the most part, to be people who have always got their way - or at least always gotten what was promised them.
Let me be quite clear: there are always a few people whose problems or complaints are legitimate and cause for concern. This is NEVER the majority. And I am very sorry for those encountering legitimate and very trying situations. And I hope everything gets sorted out soon.
Now. Back to the whole lying thing.
Sometimes, being a Protestant or being raised in a Protestant-based society can pose problems for us once we leave the US. Or indeed, once we leave the comfortable mostly black-and-white concept of reality we grew up with. Everyone in the international working world is aware of the concept of saving face, but we seem to apply it only to Far Eastern cultures (Japan, mostly). Dear teacher, do you really think only the Japanese are concerned about saving face? It just takes a slightly different form in Middle Eastern culture.
My feeling is, take the concept or the essence of anything that's said, and leave the exact wording behind. It's about presenting a calm and prepared and unified facade, whatever's going on underneath. Problems are not solved, they're consensus-ed. The goal in most dilemmas is to reach an agreement through discussion or debate or back-room dealings.
Example: ADEC says "You will receive an AED20,000 furniture allowance." The essence of that statement is: "We will make sure you have some shelter of some sort. Furnished."
ADEC says "You will be paid on the 30th of each month." Well, honestly. Deadlines in a people-oriented nation? See my last post for thoughts on that. The essence of that statement is: "You will be paid." Sooner or later.
Teach Away says "Be ready to fly out on 1 August." The essence...actually, the essence in this instance is the same. But "be ready to" and "you will" are two very different realities.
See, situations like what's happening now with new Western teachers in the UAE are more about preparation and perception than any kind of underhandedness or deviousness on the part of ADEC or Teach Away. The facts are: this is a HUGE education overhaul. This is a HUGE undertaking of both people and resources. 1000 is a HUGE number of people to transport overseas from a handful of different countries, and then to house and pay and organise. The ADEC office in charge of all of this HUGE-ness is, in comparison, quite small. A few people. Maybe a dozen. Probably not 100. And they're still hiring more people for January and then for next year.
ADEC is trying to turn the UAE education system into a bilingual education system. In less than a generation. And this is the forefront. Militarily speaking, these first 2 years are like the grunt on point in a scouting mission: whatever dreadfulness is out there will obliterate the point man, but everyone coming after will have a smoother time because of it.
ADEC is not lying to us. Not as we perceive lying in our forthright American culture. They are telling teachers what they think the teachers want to hear. They are telling them what is more or less true. They are giving the company line. We are just not used to being told anything other than the facts, regardless of how dire. Or if we're promised something, we expect the promise to pan out, and quickly.
Seriously, can you imagine going to your principal or the School Board in the US and saying, "But you promised!" when something doesn't go as expected? How far do you think that'd get you?
It's just not America over there. It's the UAE, and like it or not, your personal comfort is not their priority. Your expectations are not their priority. I'm sorry, it stinks, but they're not out to get you. And they're not lying in order to get their hands on your money or anything like that. It's just a big Gordian knot no one's figured out how to cut yet. So in order to prepare, do your research. Read about Abu Dhabi and more important, read about the business culture there. (I recommend Culture Smart! UAE, or similar.) Get used to the idea that your plans are not of any importance at all. And try to remember that you're one of THOUSANDS, and there's just one guy in the office trying to sort everything out. (Also, make copies of EVERYTHING - EVERYTHING!!! - before you hand anything over.)
- Sooner or later, someone will find a sword.
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