Job Discussion Forums

littleoldlady · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 286 Location: knitting heaven

Is it too late for applications to Oman unis or colleges please? Do they hire only for September? Only polite replies please.

Pikgitina · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 420 Location: KSA

SQU, on the square as usual, have things wrapped up - from what I hear.

Sohar U and Nizwa U are hiring.

Colleges (especially MoM ones) are in limbo Rolling Eyes

so recruitment is yet to start.

If you want, I'll pm you once there's more lowdown. Smile

Neil McBeath · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Saudi Arabia

Yes, Oman is still hiring.

The Royal Air Force of Oman have just advertised for TEN people. They say they want men, but in fact, they are so desperate for warm bodies that they might be prepared to take women. They have, in the past.

The deal is not particularly good - 1800 pounds sterling a month, plus a 20% bonus at the end of a two year contract. They give free accommodation in an officers' mess - i.e. a room with a loo, THREE tickets home every year, and 60 days leave.

That having been said, they only want a first degree and a TEFL qualification, or a BA/BEd. and a PGCE.

The catch is that you can be posted anywhere in the Sultanate, although I feel that if they are now so short staffed, most people would stay in the Capital Area. It could be worth a try....

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

Neil, I know that they hired some women in the past. One of them posted here as I recall. What do they do for housing with a female? Wouldn't the officer's mess be for men only?

VS
(littleoldlady... you can google up this ad quite easily if you want to consider it)

Turbster · Joined: 09 May 2009 Posts: 67 Location: UK

I know this may be a wee bit 'off subject'....but... is the hiring process always so slow? I was recently iterviewed for a position in Oman, and was subsequently made an offer, which I accepted. Attested, legalised and apostilised more documents than I needed to, doh, had them stamped at the Embassy in London, scanned and emailed them away. Recieved an reply saying that all had been succesfully transmitted, and that air tickets will be arranged by HR. That was 3/4 weeks ago. Should I chase them up? Or just let the process run its course? What is the protocol here? Any thoughts appreciated.

PS. I have learned so much on this board. It's brilliant!

Noor · Joined: 06 May 2009 Posts: 152

littleoldlady · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 286 Location: knitting heaven

Thank you Neil. I'm a very hardy littleoldlady. I will try and find the ad. I've got a Master's, PGCE(FE) and CELTA (B) plus 20 years teaching experience. I am well equipped to deal with Middle Eastern men!

VS If you find the ad would you let me know? Thanks

Neil McBeath · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Saudi Arabia

Tubster,

3/4 weeks is NOTHING. I waited for SEVEN weeks to go out to Saudi Arabia with BAE Systems, and the first time I worked in Oman the interview was, I think, in August. I finally arrived in January the next year.
Take it easy; the chances are that the paperwork is on somebody's desk, but he has gone on leave.

Noor,

I got the ad from TESOL Arabia. I was amused by that, as RAFO haven't bothered going to TACON to recruit for the lasst three years. Perhaps, if they had, they would not be so short of people.

VS,

The women were accommodated in the officers' messes. That in itself need not have caused problems. Teachers are on unaccompanied status contracts, but their wives and/or children are allowed into the messes for visits of up to five or six weeks.

Some people, of course, abiuse the system.

Littleoldlady,

You sound a little TOO qualified for this one. But check it out.

littleoldlady · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 286 Location: knitting heaven

Neil,.
If you hear of anything else in Oman that you think might be suitable please would you let me know? I am not overly concerned about the money. I just want to spend time in the ME again so I can use my Arabic.
Also, is September the cut off point for hiring?
Many thanks

Turbster · Joined: 09 May 2009 Posts: 67 Location: UK

Thanks Neil,

You have no idea how reassuring I find that. I'm just apprehensive about storage here for personal stuff, arranging freight of the things I want with me, and that sort of thing.

Oh, and of course giving my notice here, which is sure to go down like a lead balloon!

I worked in the UAE for 3 years, 1999-2002, and cannot wait to get back to the ME.

cheers Turbs

metalval · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 44 Location: Ukraine

Neil McBeath · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Saudi Arabia

I have just replied on another thread.

RAFO are no longer hiring women. Neither are they now hiring anybody over 55 years old.

To answer your other questions, there is no reason at all why Sultan's Armed Forces personnel should not be taught by women. We use female staff at the Sultan Qaboos University, and they teach mixed classes.

The problems with female staff appear to have occurred outside teaching time.

The learning process varies from institution to institution. Some places are teaching the in-house programme Target- The Sultan's Armed Forces General English Course. For a link to that, do a google search for my name and log onto Neil's Teachable versus Unteachable Materials.

The Air Force Technical College, Force Medical Services, SAF Signals and the Royal Navey of Oman all use commercially produced texts.

potofgold · Joined: 25 Aug 2009 Posts: 5

I really like you Neil McBeath and we will probably never meet. I have been applying for ESL jobs in the ME as I'm ready to move on after a few years in Asia.
As a result, I have been trawling this forum in an attempt to decide which of the locations is the one with which I could cope. I have been doing it fairly hard for a few years and I'm looking for a respite away from constant traffic noise, congested streets, high density living and the relentlessness of the citizens of this sunny and contradictory country. I am bored to death with the TEFLing dross that washes up on these shores and am pleased you dispatched Stroppy Boy with such aplomb.
Stroppy Boys abound throughout my current location and after a few months of being appalled at being forced to regard them as colleagues, I now treat them as invisible. I am always delighted when they are robbed as they drunkenly lurch through the streets after curfew and more frequently - have their visas revoked. The cries of self-righteous indignation is music to my ears. My current location has ultimately defeated every invader and has a long and fascinating history.
The Stroppy Boys (and their female counterparts) who wash up here are usually from a country that had its butt kicked despite superior technology and find they too can suffer the same humiliation. Keep up the good work.