Job Discussion Forums

[Bette]

I've been offered a teaching job with the Ministry of Higher Education in Sur City through Recruiter Adbul Majid Majali. I have read some of the posts and both school and recruiter have been bashed.
How bad is this offer??
One curious thing is that it commences immediately. When I asked if I needed my degree notorized (which I would feel better doing in my own country) he said not to worry that the Canadian Embassy would do it for me. If anyone knows how long that will take I would like to know. Also, how safe is it to get your degree notorized through the Canadian Embassy in Oman? I've heard stories of them getting lost and such.
Thank you.

[mishmumkin]

[veiledsentiments]

How bad the offer is depends on your expectations. Some people like living in the hinterlands of Oman and others loathe it and leave post haste. You haven't mentioned how much the offer is or your credentials, so we don't know if it is what is usually offered.

These colleges out in the villages are poorly resourced and the management varies from fine to awful (and the management people change almost as regularly as the teachers). Majali seems to own half of Sur and if you can get along with him, things go fine. If you have read here, that is about a 50/50 proposition. He seems to be more successful getting along with his men teachers than the women.

If you have an MA and experience, give the job a miss as it will be a frustrating situation professionally. If you need a job and a salary - and something to put on the CV to move up to something better - and can deal with many issues, it is probably doable.

As to the notarization of degrees, this is all rather farce anyway and I don't believe that there is a Canadian embassy in Oman (I recall friends last year having to go to the Emirates), but I suspect that you were needed yesterday and it can be done outside the country. First off, you never send them originals... even in your own country. You get notarized 'copies' certified by the authorities. In my many years of getting degrees certified, never once did the originals leave my possession.

Give us more information and we can add to above.

VS

[windstar]

we dont have canadian embassy in Muscat, the closest one is in Dubai but Riyadh is responsible for oman. It is probably one of their teachers ran away therefore, they might need you immediately. Be careful about flight tickets and accomodation. Sur is a little bit far away from muscat and might be a small town for you.

[Bette]

His offer is:
700/mo
100/mo workplace allowance
60/mo transport
with 20 teaching hours/week Sat - Wed.

I have a BA in English and have 2 years experience and a TESOL.
He did tell me that the other teacher ran off. I was sceptical about it (especially since I spent a year in China and can smell a rat).

On document varification, only give out a notorized copy? Before I was asked for the originals. I realize that I probably made a mistake giving them out. Is it best to get it notorized in Canada and only use those copies? This is the part I get worried about.
Bye the way I think you guys are great for helping out.
Cheers

[veiledsentiments]

I can confirm that a teacher did leave, but 'run off' would be inaccurate. There were legitimate issues that Majali refused to address so the person gave him one month notice and checked out legally.

That is the usual offer for a person with your limited credentials. The housing on offer is passable, but don't be surprised to encounter a passing roach or two.

I only know the US process and it never uses originals. If you are currently in Canada, check with the authorities there. I'm not sure what they call the Canadian equivalent of our State Department... Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

BTW... if you have never lived in the Middle East, this is a small conservative village in Oman, so be sure to check carefully on the board here concerning proper dress so you know what to pack.

VS

[Bette]

Thanks a lot for your help.
I think I'll pass on the job. Sounds like a potential headache.

[veiledsentiments]

This is probably best as you are being pressed and are unable to really think things through and organize this move. These Ministry jobs in the Oman are OK as entry level to the Gulf with minimal requirements as to education and experience.

But, it requires a great deal of adaptability and tolerance for things that don't run as smoothly as one may be used to or would like. That said, it is a job where one can save most of that salary and pay off loans back home if necessary.

For the better jobs in the Gulf, one really needs either an MA in ESL/EFL or many years of experience teaching Academic English at university level.

VS

[flutterbayou]

Regarding diplomas, they only need to see the original and will notarize a photocopy without you needing to release your original.

I would tell anyone to pass on Sur, regardless of wanting experience - they have had a rough year there, and already 8 teachers have left.

A new teacher might not have the necessary flexibility, and the students are more apt to listen to an older and more experienced teacher. Classroom management is a major issue at Sur.

And I can think of absolutely no one who has anything good to say about the recruiter Abdul Majali.

[Duffy]

That includes me. I always thought well of him, but after one teacher's horrific experience at the hands of "Mr Majali", he has been struck of my Christmas list!!

Anyway, don't let this thread go too far of topic.

Duffy

[Bette]

Thank you everyone. I 'm greatful.
I 'm think I will work in Korea and then visit Oman as a tourist.
Cheers

[Extraordinary Rendition]

Good job, all! Keep 'em away and salaries rising! Korea, land of the honest hogwon. Guess that's why all of my colleagues and acquaintances abroad who've worked there are so nostalgic for the kindly, non-racist, Koreans and the vibrant lifestyle. And a single white woman in Asia ; ALMOST as much fun as a single, straight, non-Muslim male in the M.E. (Oh, no, I've done it again. Violated PC rules by alluding to base human instincts and questioning cultural relativism.)

[Duffy]

ER,

Your last post made about as much sense as your avatar.

[flutterbayou]

... and so, let's get back to the thread.

People are wise to ask the questions they do about jobs being offered to them. There is much more to any job than the pay, but these issues are rarely introduced during the telephone interview.

Where any poster ends up accepting a position is up to the individual, and rarely does a troll contribute anything helpful to the discussion. By mentioning Korea, the OP might have already received some valid comments by pm.

[bomzis1]

That was quick Betty- why did you make up your mind so quickly? Majali is dodgey in a lot of ways , not to mention pretty hopeless but you would be in a completely different city to him and apart from the start- getting your visa and such, you would have limited contact with him.

Depending on what kind of person you are, you could like living/ teaching in Sur (possibly ). If you like nature and are extremely patient (as VS points out) it wouldn't be a bad place to be e.g. within an hour's drive of Sur you can swim on deserted beaches with turtles, swim/ hike in wadis and camp in the desert- Wahiba Sands/ south of Al Ashkarah- you can even surf there... Regarding the job, teaching Omanis (or rather the particular students at Sur) is rather challenging. I personally found it difficult at first but at the same time learned a lot about teaching and the Omani/Arab culture (first experience in the middle east) and by the end enjoyed the work.

On the greater hand, if you're just going because you can earn a decent salary compared to other EFL jobs than just stick to Korea.