Joan P.

Bautista
BEED
Assignment in GEC-5 purposive Communication
June 29,2021

In my chosen field, which is to be a teacher in the near future, I believe that teachers are in
demand all over the world. I chose U.A.E. Particularly in Dubai, because my housemate and
college friend at DMMMSU-MLUC is working there as a teacher. Her name is Janet Pinto,and I
had a chance to talk to her via video call,to support my research.

She said that teachers are in demand in Dubai because Emirati and other foreign nationals love
Filipinos because we are hard workers,we are dedicated to our job, and we are very caring and
attached to the students, especially the kids.

They are the filipino teachers in Dubai on the left photo. Right photo,our video call screenshot.

When she (Janet)was employed, there were so many things to consider, like their
rules,policies,cultures,attitudes, the way they dress, religions, beliefs, principles,ideologies and
most importantly,their various modes of communication. So here are the things we should be
aware of, if we plan to work in Dubai.

LANGUAGES
The official language in Dubai is Arabic but english is the most widely spoken language in
Dubai, especially for business, trade and tourism. Around 75% of the population in Dubai are
expatriates, most of whom speak English and/or their native language such as, Hindi, Urdu,
Bengali, Tamil, Tagalog, Persian, Chinese, Malayalam and some of foreign nationals like British
and Americans. Because Dubai is known as a melting pot of different cultures.

COMMUNICATION
Non-verbal Communication
❖ Dubai is a high context country with a lot of emphasis on non-verbal actions to
communicate, touching with the left hand is a social insult, as the left hand is for toilet
functions. Also they generally do not approve of any touching between females and
 males (including hand shakes), but to greet people of the same sex you shake their
hand or kiss them on the cheek.
❖ In Dubai when a person is experiencing grief or sadness it is clearly evident in their
facial expressions which contrasts to Western cultures as people tend to hide their
emotions.
❖ Also in Dubai many people make prolonged eye contact as it shows interest and helps
one understand the truthfulness of the person they are talking to.
❖ Another way of non-verbal communication evident in Dubai is the way one dresses, you
will need to be considerate of their Islamic culture by being conservative in the way you
dress.

Verbal communication
❖ As Dubai is a high context country there aren't many different ways of verbal
communication, there is only paralanguage and text.
❖ Talking with a loud voice indicates strength and talking with a soft voice indicates
weakness, this contrasts to Western culture techniques as we believe that talking loudly
can indicate that you are frustrated, or a situation is out of control.
❖ In Dubai when greeting a person it is customary to say, "As Salaamu 'Alaykurn"
meaning: Peace be upon you. When addressing elders it is very important to address
them with their correct title such as, Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc. This is a representation of the
high level of respect for elders in Dubai.

BASIC GREETINGS
Hi – Salam!
How are you? – Kaifa haloka/haloki (female)
I’m fine, thanks! – Ana bekhair, shokran!
And you? – Wa ant? / Wa anti? (female)
Good/so-so – Jayed/ ‘aadee
Thank you (very much) – Shokran (jazeelan)
I’m lost – Adatu tareeq
Can you help me? – Hal beemkanek mosa adati?
Where is the bathroom/pharmacy? – Ayna ajeddou al merhaad/assaidaliah ‫ا‬
How much is this? – Kam howa thamanoh?
Friend- sadik
Good bye – Ma’a salama
Do you speak English? – Hal tatakallam al lughah?
Can you say it again? – A’ed men fadlak?
Can you speak slowly? – Takalam bebot’ men fadlak?