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A higher salary abroad can hide a brutal truth: many international teachers quietly fall behind on retirement cash flow. We unpack why with former teacher and financial educator Andrew Hallam, author of The Millionaire Expat, Millionaire Teacher, and Balance. From missing defined-benefit pension years to overestimating what “saving” can do against inflation, we talk honestly about the risks expats in the UAE and the wider Middle East face and what to do before another year slips by.

We get practical about retirement planning for expats: how to work backwards to your real number, how to factor in state pension or Social Security forecasts, and why there is no universal target that fits everyone.

Andrew explains how lifestyle creep and “expatitis” can sabotage even good intentions, and why tracking spending is the lowest-effort habit with the biggest payoff.

Bio: Andrew Hallam is a financial author, educator and speaker who taught high school and middle school English, as well as Personal Finance.

We are helping Andrew raise funds for the Al Jalila Foundation as he cycles across Europe. Please donate here: https://www.hopasports.com/en/andrewhallam

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Teach Middle East Magazine is the premier platform for educators and the entire education sector in the Middle East and beyond. Our vision is to equip educators with the materials and tools they need to function optimally in and out of the classroom. We provide a space for educators to connect and find inspiration, resources, and forums to enhance their teaching techniques, methodologies, and personal development. We connect education suppliers and service providers to the people who make the buying decisions in schools.

Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

Tweet us: https://twitter.com/teachmiddleeast

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmiddleeast/.

Hosted by Leisa Grace Wilson

Connect with Leisa Grace:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/leisagrace

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leisagrace/

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Leisa Grace sits down with Nathan Burns, “Mr Metacognition”, to clarify what metacognition really is and why it improves attainment when it is taught deliberately and embedded across school life. We explore how leaders can move beyond vague “thinking about thinking” to build independent, resilient learners through curriculum, routines and staff development.
• Metacognition as planning, monitoring and evaluating learning
• Challenging information and checking ideas against prior knowledge
• Why research support is worldwide and linked to attainment
• Why teacher training and accountability can miss explicit metacognition
• Avoiding bolt on approaches and making it part of modelling, questioning and feedback
• What a metacognitive school looks like for all staff roles
• Designing staff training that starts with what is already working
• Evaluating impact at department or whole school level
• Using Perkins’ levels, surveys and stakeholder feedback carefully
• What gains schools see first in student resilience and better questions
“Drop Mr. Metacognition into any good search engine or pop Nathan Burns into social media, especially LinkedIn, um, and you will find me there.”

Purchase Nathan's Books here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Nathan-Burns/author/B0BQZ5N6FN?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Support the show

Teach Middle East Magazine is the premier platform for educators and the entire education sector in the Middle East and beyond. Our vision is to equip educators with the materials and tools they need to function optimally in and out of the classroom. We provide a space for educators to connect and find inspiration, resources, and forums to enhance their teaching techniques, methodologies, and personal development. We connect education suppliers and service providers to the people who make the buying decisions in schools.

Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

Tweet us: https://twitter.com/teachmiddleeast

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmiddleeast/.

Hosted by Leisa Grace Wilson

Connect with Leisa Grace:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/leisagrace

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leisagrace/

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We talk with Adrianna Rose about teaching in Dubai, building a life in the UAE, and how content creation can help other teachers make an informed move. We compare UK and UAE schools, unpack day-to-day routines and wellbeing, and share honest thoughts on moving during uncertain news cycles.

• documenting UAE teacher life through content creation and why representation matters
• Abu Dhabi versus Dubai for lifestyle, pace, and choosing the right area
• settling in during COVID and how the first six months can feel
• key differences between UK schools and UAE private schools, including scale and expectations
• diversity in international schools and how it changes classroom experience
• a realistic day-to-day routine in Dubai, including early starts and planning time
• managing fear and pupil reassurance during regional conflict and shifts online
• advice for teachers holding an offer letter and weighing up the move
• Adriana’s book I Take Up Space Two and her long-term writing goals
• hobbies, friendship groups, wellbeing activities, and travel opportunities from Dubai

People, if you want to buy the book or connect with Adrianna, see below,

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thatexpatteacher?igsh=MTExdmV2N2I2MTl5eQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Link to Adrinna's book:

https://www.amazon.ae/I-Take-Up-Space-Too/dp/1917846819/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Support the show

Teach Middle East Magazine is the premier platform for educators and the entire education sector in the Middle East and beyond. Our vision is to equip educators with the materials and tools they need to function optimally in and out of the classroom. We provide a space for educators to connect and find inspiration, resources, and forums to enhance their teaching techniques, methodologies, and personal development. We connect education suppliers and service providers to the people who make the buying decisions in schools.

Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

Tweet us: https://twitter.com/teachmiddleeast

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmiddleeast/.

Hosted by Leisa Grace Wilson

Connect with Leisa Grace:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/leisagrace

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leisagrace/