Job Discussion Forums

PeterDragon · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 50

I have a bachelors degree in Social Work (not English, not education). I have 3 years ESL teaching experience, all in child (not adult) education. I don't have an internationally recognized TEFL certificate, but could easily get one by next spring when I'm back on the job market.

Should I try to job hunt in Oman? I've seen a few job listings that seem to indicate I qualify, but in general, the listings are vague. Thoughts, anyone?

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

Any job that would consider you qualified would be at the very bottom of the education barrel... and you don't want to go there. The absolute minimum is a BA + a cert and in the Gulf, preferably the CELTA.

VS

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

If you get a certificate you should be able to get a job at one of the colleges--Applied Sciences or Technology. Check the recruiters' ads here and on tefl.com. Whether or not they're worth going to is another issue... Opinions vary.

d

InterRick · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Posts: 86

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

I have no idea what you mean by "legal" ... one reads the ads and if one has the advertised qualifications, one applies. If my employers were fulfilling some legal requirement, I didn't know or hear anything about it.

The only legal requirement that I know of is that the employer must provide you with a labor card and it is illegal to work there without it. But, it is his responsibility to get that to you in the first few months.

VS

TheSilentKind · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 23

From my understanding, you'll have a very difficult time getting a labor card with the qualifications you have at present. The Ministry of Higher Education has cracked down on underqualified teachers this year and the Ministry of Manpower will only accept internationally recognized qualifications and letters of reference for at least three years of full-time ESL/EFL teaching experience.

You could come here to work illegally but that means leaving each two months to renew your visa and each time you risk being turned away at the border.

I agree that the CELTA is probably the best teaching cert to get, or else the Trinity TESOL. And remember to get letters for each teaching job you complete. The more evidence you provide of experience and qualifications, the easier it is to get a job.

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

This sounds a new rule... probably comes from the scandal last semester when they learned that a number of people with fake qualifications had been hired. (as if we all didn't know that... Rolling Eyes

)

But, if they haven't changed the document certification system, it will still be relatively easy to fake it... unfortunately. If they want to do this successfully, they will get rid of the recruiters, set up an HR department, get transcripts directly from universities and certificate organizations like CELTA, and contact references directly. (I'll hold my breath until it happens...)

VS

TheSilentKind · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 23

The rumor I heard is that the Ministry of Higher Education is already asking some people for transcripts direct from universities. If this proves to be true, there'll be less nutcases at the colleges and more professionals.

Certificates at the Ministry of Manpower are already being checked by a qualified expat which will help clean up the system even more. Let's see what the new semester brings us Smile

lotsa · Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 68 Location: Oman

InterRick · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Posts: 86

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

PeterDragon · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 50

Well, it sounds like I meet the basic job requirements, but won't have my pick of the best jobs. I've been reding this thread, but haven't had much time to weigh in.

I want to thank everyone though, you've all been very helpful.

My wife and I are very interested in living in the Middle East for a while to elearn aboutthe region and culture firsthand. We're looking into our options evrythere in the world, but the Middle East and South America are our two favorite spots-- the two places neither of us have ever been to. From our searches thus far, Turkey and Oman seem to be the two places we have the best shot at earning a comfortable wage while we explore. I'll be posting here with more questions soon.

InterRick · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Posts: 86

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

lotsa · Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 68 Location: Oman

I agree that Omani students deserve better qualified teachers but that on its own is only half the equation. The teachers also deserve better behaving students - but that's another topic of course.

There are some rumours drifting about at the moment whereby the MOHE (in conjunction with "other" Ministries) are checking ALL learning institutions in terms of credentials of its staff. Some will duck for cover, the remaining will no doubt survive.