Job Discussion Forums

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

I have heard a rumour that the MOHE has imposed standards for staff recruited for this academic year.

I don't have many details but it includes IELTS certification.

Anyone know more?

EFL Educator · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town

Oh Man more MOHE standards in O M A N OMG... Shocked

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

Do you mean a certified examiner?

Or that they have had to take the IELTS? If they are hiring non-native speakers, having a particular level on the exam wouldn't be unreasonable I guess...

They certainly don't need that many examiners. 80+% of the students are too low to even register on the exam.

VS

MuscatGary · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2016 1:56 am Post subject:

The Omani teachers have always had to take IELTS after completing their B.Ed. Maybe it's them that you've read about?

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

This is for incoming teachers

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

MuscatGary · Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2016 8:19 am Post subject:

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

This referred to non-Omani

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

Are you not explaining because you don't KNOW what it means?

Do they have to be certified IELTS examiners?

Or have a certain number on an IELTS exam? You are not "certified" as such, but get a level/score.

And obviously it is not given to NS, only to NNS. Since they are hiring many more NNS these days, I would assume that is what they are requiring. If so, what is the level they are requiring?

VS

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

From what I heard and observed, native speakers with PhD or Masters degrees have left the country as they were able to find better deals elsewhere.

New applicants present with Bachelor degrees only, hence the attempt to enforce some sort of qualification/certification.
They hails from the sub-continent, the Philippines or the former UDSSR.

IELTs is easily recognized and widely spread, so I guess it's being used for convenience's sake.

EFL Educator · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town

Oh Man I left OMAN already because even though I have an MA in ELT and a DELTA.....they now want me to be an IELTS certified examiner....so as to please the powers that should not be.....Me is happy to have left Oh Mannnn for GREENER TEFL pastures!!! Very Happy

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

Nothing wrong with being a certified IELTS examiner. In fact, it can be quite useful in other countries... give prep classes... connect with a nearby British Council (or whoever is giving the exam there) to do the exams for them. Many use it to pick up some extra money.

I was certified when I was in the UAE because the employer provided the training and was using the exam.

VS

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

So, in job advertisements for Oman the salary is lowered (300-500 Rials less) but the requirements are increased?

Anyone already in the country can go to the British Council and get IELTS training /qualifications but it's usually in your own time and from your own pocket.

Seems to me, that there's not enough "give" and too much "take".

balqis · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 373

From what I know, not everyone. The application procedure is very lengthy and detailed, virtually tens of pages filled with various tasks.
You need years of experience teaching advanced levels as well as teaching courses based on IELTS blueprint and exam oriented.
You need next referees who have to fill out lengthy forms about you.
Then there is a selection stage, where they only select a small number of applicants. Your application must be de rigeur, as well as your mode of conduct and PR manner.
Then there is the training, which takes place many a time hundreds kilometers away from where you are positioned.
To retain the certification once you obtain it, you also need to practice examining IELTS regularly, which is not always possible for a variety of reasons. Quite a toil, all in all.

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

I started the process to become an examiner and balqis is correct.

I got as far as the final selection and then they wanted to conduct phone interviews during my working hours so I withdrew as they were unwilling to arrange to call when I was not working.

My friend continued and later decided to apply to join the IELTS trainer staff. She is highly experienced in conducting IELTS courses and marking exams. Two phone interviews from India later, she was told they would not continue with her application and was not given any reason.

I'm not impressed with them at all.