Job Discussion Forums

[spanton]

I notice that teaching posts are still being advertised for the College of Applied Sciences at Ibri.It does not surprise me that they can't attract staff as the place is so awful;both the college and the town.About 10 teachers left during the academic year just gone and a lot more won't be returning, including me.The man that interviewed me was not able to tell me much about the place before I got there.I guess he didn't want to put me off. It is not interesting or welcoming as the advertisement for this year claims. If a pile of ancient stones is the main selling point, you kind of get the picture! Don't be misled.
At the college there is/are no: motivated students, resources,professional development, leadership, information,staff room,competent coordinators,pastoral care,support for teachers when problems arise.
In the town there is /are no: good stores, urban bus service or good inter-city service, parks, ok restaurants,social activities, swim pool, reliable CFBT rep.
You will spend a lot of money getting to Muscat( where there is a great new book store "Borders") or UAE to live a little on weekends doing all the things you can't do in Ibri. I didn't save as much as I thought I would in the year.
Be warned that if you go there and decide you don't like it, you have to pay your own air-fare home.There is a three-month probation period, so make up your mind about the place in that time. After the year I just had there, I feel I have to let you guys know what you are in for. Good luck!

[eha]

"At the college there is/are no: motivated students, resources,professional development, leadership, information,staff room,competent coordinators,pastoral care,support for teachers when problems arise"

To be fair to Ibri, none of the above are available in any meaningful form to teachers in many institutions all over the world today. But I suppose a bit of diversity in the locality would make the job a bit easier to take.

[flutterbayou]

Eha, with all due respect to you, I must say that you need to flush out the better jobs to get a clearer picture of the market.

In fact, there are many EFL jobs in countries that not only pay well, but serve a good student population, have an intelligent committee of educators to select resources, offer strong support to faculty and are situated in areas where one can discover and enjoy the local culture.

For these positions one must take time to apply and compete, but the jobs are there.

A good teacher does NOT have to put up with rubbish in order to hold down a job.