Job Discussion Forums

[ghost]

I have a tentative job offer from the Hawthorn Muscat English Language Centre, under the Ministry of Higher Education in Oman, which recruits Native English Language Lecturers, etc..

The salary is 680-775 Omani Riyals per month for an 8:00-4:30 workday. 20 hours teaching a week. 60 days annual leave.

I think the above salary converted to u.s. dollars would be around $1700-$2000 u.s. (correct me if wrong).

My qualifications include: B.A. (French Literature), B.Ed. in Education, M.A. in Communication, and 2 year full time University T.E.S.L. Certificate for already certified teachers in Canada. Certified teacher in Ontario (F.S.L.) and Quebec (ESL) -my Quebec Ministry of Education permit expires in 2010.

Currently I am working as a Lecturer and Teacher Trainer for the Ministry of Education in Korea. Decent job and benefits, but I would prefer, at this time, to work in one of the Gulf Arab countries. My salary in Korea is $2800 U.S. without overtime, and around $3000 with overtime a few times a week. Free housing. I save $1500 per month in Korea. I realize that would be hard to do in Oman, but would saving about $1000 per month be feasible on a salary of 775 rials a month?

The name of the person on the e-mail recruitment offer is someone by the name of 'Majali.'

I am presently applying to work in Saudi, but if nothing comes up there, I would consider Oman, despite the lesser salary. I have heard good things about the country, and it might be a good first post in the region.

Thanks for any information you might have about this place.

Ghost in Korea

[007]

Le salaire de OR775 est trop bas, c�est une insulte pour votre certificats et exp�riences.

[ghost]

[veiledsentiments]

There have been many threads about Sohar and Majali and I assume that you did a search and read them since you've been around here awhile.

I'm not clear on whether there are two universities or just one, but there seem to be an excess of 'eccentric' expat teachers there. A number of threads have had to be pulled because there was no way to tell if the problems discussed were from the accuser or the accused.

You would need to buy a car which would certainly eat into any savings the first year. Financially you would obviously be making a mistake. Only you can decide if getting a ME job on the CV is worth the financial hit.

VS

[temujinsky]

Two Australian teachers lasted one week at Hawthorn because of Majali and how he 'managed' them. Majali gets OR1600 per month per teacher he installs in any of the universities/colleges for which he recruits in Oman. He is then responsible for those teachers. They do not work for MOHE but for Majali. Do not be misled by the name Hawthorn for there are two Hawthorns in Muscat and only one of them is legit and Majali has no interest in the legit Hawthorn.
Otherwise Majali is a fine Jordanian.

[mishmumkin]

If you're a BEd in Education, I would suggest you look for better jobs w/ an international school-unless, of course, you really want to get into university teaching.

[ghost]

[veiledsentiments]

Majali has been around for a long time and has naturally collected both detractors and supporters.... and as is usual here, more detractors will post.

It has been said here that he is hiring for Sohar and Shinas, which is near the border of the UAE... and probably others. I believe Salalah too. Check a map of Oman and see where they are located.

Ignore the name 'Hawthorn' - if it means anything to you - and assume that you are being hired through Majali... whatever that means in Sohar.

VS

[Borealis]

Ghost, do a search for the "beer" thread. That might answer some of your questions.

Borealis

[Geronimo]

Hello Ghost,

If you do decide to accept the offer of a job in Sohar College's English Department I strongly recommend that you DON'T ask our HOD for advice on how to obtain a liquor permit...well,.. at least until Day 2.

Sohar has a university - linked with the University of Queensland; the Omani National Medical School; and Sohar College of Applied Sciences. And, Shinas College is approx. 45 minutes' drive up the road towards the UAE border from downtown Sohar. Sohar itself is 200 km. from Muscat; and it takes about 2.5 hours to drive between the two. Dubai is about 3 hours' drive away from Sohar....and don't overlook Abu Dhabi as an option: it also takes about 3 hours to reach, and is less congetsed than downtown Dubai.

If you sign up for a job with the Sohar College of Applied Sciences, you will confront the kind of challenges that are present within the walls of all the other Colleges of Applied Sciences - i.e. in Ibri, Sur, Salalah, Nizwa and Rustaq. These challenges include class sizes in the 25-27 students range; with a gender divide in the middle of the classroom to bridge. (However, I 'm guessing that you have encountered even larger class sizes in Korea).
If you start during Ramadan you must make allowances for the impact that fasting imposes on your students' ability to focus in their second language, of course.

Furthermore, you will find that your HOD has to contend with a span of control that is wider than the Grand Canyon. Consequently, there is scope for subordinate English teachers to demonstrate their initiative; and accept additional levels of responsibility - at no extra charge to their employer.

Other challenges arise as a consequence of the space between the Colleges' teaching departments and the Administration office. No admin establishment hours are located within the teaching department cost centres. Exceptional and not recommended!

There have been some signs of progress of late. It is easier for Colleges' HODs to dispose of bad teachers now that newcomers are recruited on "recruitment consultancy" contracts. Probation periods have been introduced recently. Also, as part of a "Quality Assurance" programee, teachers at Sohar College (and the others, too, I suspect), will be formally observed in class by the HOD and/or the Deputy Dean during this semester.

IMHO, the Level 1 and Level 2 course materials have improved this time around, too. Furthermore, teachers are presented with highly detailed Course Outlines and detailed assessment procedures to follow.

Concerning Mr M's abilities as a recruiter: I placed a question mark against his name when I opened the initial job offer letter that he sent me 3 years ago. It commenced with the words..."Dear Julie,...." Fine opening if the letter's recipient's name is "Julie", of course, but , if you're a bloke, as I am....a bad start...

Refer to my recent replies to daved for more info on Sohar itself.Your savings target is unrealistic in my estimation - especially if you intend to travel during the long summer vacation.

Bon chance!
G

[Neil McBeath]

Ghost, to go back to your original question, if you are being paid 775 Omani Rials a month, then you will be earning almost exactly $2000.

It would be very difficult to save half of that.

[bigbadsuzie]

Neil are you still wearing your uniform?

[flutterbayou]

We lowly types who only studied Latin and Spanish can still read a little French, and agree that you are qualified enough to demand a higher wage.

If you want to go to the Middle East, you could check in to the Colleges of Higher Technology in the UAE, or a very good American group in Saudi called Interlink. I hope this info isn't considered advertising, because I report only my experience.

I worked for Interlink in Colorado some time ago, and found them to be totally on the up and up. However, there is an age limit to consider in Saudi, which applies to teachers reaching their mid-fifties.

What rubbed me wrong about your message is the number of hours you'd need to spend at your desk. Would you be doing menial tasks or twiddling your thumbs to count up to 40 hours per week?

[ghost]

[Henry_Cowell]