Job Discussion Forums

Londonish · Joined: 27 May 2013 Posts: 6

Hi all,

I have been ghosting here for a while and now that I am in possession of a shiny new CELTA, I would like the benefit of your collected wisdom.

I lived in Oman for 5 years about 15 years ago. I'd love to return.

I have a new CELTA, an old BA degree and no experience of teaching. I'm fully aware that poses a bit of a problem job hunting in the Gulf. Given that most jobs require at least 2 years post CELTA experience, I am planning to get that experience in East Asia.

However..... is the 2 year experience requirement set by the Ministry or by recruiters? Does it make a difference whether it is a University job or with one of the Language schools/institutes? And is there any of the 'flexibility' that I recall from days gone by? Perhaps standards may drop closer to the start of term?

If the 2 year experience requirement is set in stone, what can I do over the next 2 years to make sure that I am at the top of the recruitment list when my time comes? Should I look for particular types of work experience and further training?

I don't think I am wearing rose-tinted glasses but my memories of Oman are (mostly) positive. Any advice you can offer to speed my return would be welcome.

Thanks,
Londonish

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

Contact the institutes - they are your best chance of entry. Some employ teachers for the summer so I'd try now. The worst that can happen is they don't take you.

MuscatGary · Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:03 am Post subject:

Just check the job sites and apply. I've been here nearly three years and have met plenty of teachers with non-relevant degrees, no tefl qualifications or just weekend/online qualifications and no experience!

The Colleges of Higher Technology always have trouble recruiting, they were very short of teachers several weeks into the first semester this year.

Londonish · Joined: 27 May 2013 Posts: 6

Thank you all for your advice.

As I recall, Oman pretty much shuts down in August. Is that still the case is there good/better time to start looking for work there? I do intend to start looking straight away but am curious as to whether recruiting is done on an ongoing basis or with term time in mind. I suppose it depends on the institution?

Thanks again.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

The organized organizations will have done their hiring for September. It normally is done starting in March. If you are interested in a September start, I would apply immediately. It takes a few months from application to interview to paperwork for visa to getting there.

There is also hiring for second semester which is what you will be applying for if you don't start until August.

That said, there is quite a bit of turnover with the recruiters so that there may be a few teachers picked up at odd times. Watch their ads...

If you get no response to your applications, it means that you need to get some experience on your CV.

VS

MuscatGary · Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 4:33 am Post subject:

Some of the recruiters for the MOHE have yet to issue contracts and will be looking for people soonish. I know that about half of the non-Arabic ex-pats are leaving from where I work...