Job Discussion Forums

[travellingtefler]

I've heard that an organisation called ELO are operating in Oman.

I think they are recruiting teachers for the ministries.

Has anyone heard of them?

Thanks

[veiledsentiments]

It's ELS and there are some threads below. You might try a search.

VS

[travellingtefler]

Although I've read the earlier post - I didn't think it could be ELS as the posts I heard about were quiite presitigious (teacher trainers for schools).

Things must be changing there - I'll try to investigate further.

[veiledsentiments]

Prestigious? the Ministry jobs? Well, depends on your point of view, I guess. Some of the posts may be, but it is just as likely that they are teaching basic English in the teacher training colleges of the hinterlands.

There has been talk of an ELC and ELS, but the only ELO I have ever heard of was a band.

Do let us know if you find out anything more.

VS

[travellingtefler]

When I heard, I thought of ELS but didn't connect them with prestigious posts.

However, other threads have said they will run the foundation year in Nizwa so maybe they're getting better.

However - I'll still keep checking.

[veiledsentiments]

travellingtefler,

I like your positive attitude

But - a posting here told of people who had been offered jobs with them in Nizwa who had no education in EFL or teaching experience or Middle East knowledge.

Scary stuff to me. I hate to see Oman heading in this direction, but an exploding student body, teacher shortage, and limited funds is causing them to take what seems to me to be some poor decisions.

I only hope that ELS managed to get some experienced teachers to train their own teachers to be able to teach English to the future Omani English teachers.

VS

[travellingtefler]

I agree with everything you said, VS.

However, I hope this is a new company and I'm asking around.

If not, I hope they have improved.

My experience with ELS is that I met a very nice DOS who was working in Abu Dhabi with them and agreed to go there. However, she left after a short period saying that she could not cope with the demands placed on her. She was nice enough to send me an email telling me this.

I had a job offer from them - travel date pending - and that's where it remains. That was in 2001.

Given what I've read on the board and heard since I've been in the ME - I think I was very lucky.

Reading the forums, I just don't understand why companies just don't try to do things correctly and look after their staff and students - it's better for business in the end and it leaves people with such positive memories.

[veiledsentiments]

TT

Do let us know if you find that this is another company.

ELS in Oman has always had problems - keeping management - keeping teachers - from day one. They seemed to run a permanent ad for management there. I met a couple of them - actually assisting them to get another job so that they could get out. The Abu Dhabi branch has seemed to function well over the years - at least for their part timers.

And if you ever find the answer as to why so many of these language schools are so poorly managed, I'm sure that everyone in every branch of this board would love to know the answer. It just seems such common sense to us, doesn't it?

VS

[travellingtefler]

Still searching for info about ELO.

Re - ELS - I know a lot of the part-timers are moon lighting from ADNOC and in Oman, all the part-timers are reasonably happy. You go in, do your classes, get paid on time and go.

It seems to me that the problems start when someone is sponsored and they gain control.

[Signor]

Someone mentioned ELO today - I think they're a small group (English Language Overseas?) - they specialise in managing teaching contracts. The person mentioned that they operated in the Middle East in the past.

Can anyone confirm this? We can all be glad it's not ELS (I hope)

[veiledsentiments]

Did they mention how long in the past? What countries? There have been some real scoundrels who have come and gone over the years in various incarnations.

VS

[Signor]

As far as I can find out - they were a husband and wife team who did recruitment in the past.

The husband died and the wife is doing the recruitment on her own.

Ring a bell with anyone?

[DingirEnki]

[veiledsentiments]

DingirEnki

I am glad to hear that they are now requiring people to have some experience. The students deserve the best teachers they can get - budgets allowing.

Signor

What nationality is this person? It would be nice to hear from someone with experience with this organization. It seems that all one hears is bad stories about recruiters.

VS

[Signor]

As far as I know - they were from the UK. But I'll try to check further.