Job Discussion Forums

sliderama · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 90 Location: al reef

did a search on here, nothing much came up, checked website, lookin for additional info, especially from anyone with direct experience, hearsay also welcome ...

cheers

ssssslllllllliiiiiiddddddeeeeerrrrrrrama

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

It's a small place and thus far we haven't had anyone on here who has had experience there. My knowledge is rather limited, but I have a close friend who teaches there and likes it. I know that the person who is managing the EFL department is very professional and knows her stuff.

I would recommend it... though I expect that the money isn't grand. Laughing

VS

sliderama · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 90 Location: al reef

thanks for the info, will see what the interview brings...

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

I was there for a short time some years ago and I know people who have been there for years. I know others who left at the end of the first contract. There have been several management changes since I left.

The only thing that I can say for certain is that the Dean is a nice guy who is very professional and does his best for his staff.

sliderama · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 90 Location: al reef

Thanx SW for the info. I assume it must be European-run as I see from the website that the Dean is from Austria. VS mentioned the salary is not spectacular, any further info on that? Housing included?

Cheers

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

The salary comment was merely a generalization about Oman salaries. These small private colleges don't have the money for high salaries, so it will probably be less than the Ministry jobs.

VS

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

Staff are ministry sponsored - don't know about housing as I was working for a sub-contractor.

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

So. in the past they didn't direct hire? It seems that they are direct hiring now since it was their ad that ran here, not a recruiter. My friend who works there was direct hired.

VS

Buffalo Boy · Joined: 02 Oct 2009 Posts: 80

I have an interview with this school this week. Does the OP or anyone else have any more up to date info about the school?

Also, I thought it was strange that they didn't get back to me for a month after I sent my application. Is this normal for Oman?

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

Buffalo Boy,

A month isn't a particularly long time to wait for a reply.

Remember, among other things, that the Omani weekends are Thursday-Friday.

All I can tell you about the College of Tourism is that it is pretty central by Muscat standards. It is almost directly opposite the International Airport, and tucked away behind the Golden Tulip Hotel that is next to the Oman Exhibition Centre.

I believe that one of my current colleagues worked there, and liked it. She lived in Al Khod, and found that travelling in was no great hassle.

alter ego · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 209

Buffalo Boy · Joined: 02 Oct 2009 Posts: 80

I got this:

I know we said that we will call you on Saturday 13th March, but I am just writing to let you know we have some technical difficulties at the moment with our college external telephone line. They are trying to repair the problem, but we do not know as and when this problem will be resolved. Therefore, if our telephone lines are up and running again after the weekend, please expect a call from us, however if we do not call you within 10 mintues of the allocated time, please assume our telephone lines are still down, and we will contact you again to reschedule another interview time.

Then this:

I am very sorry that we will have to postpone your interview on Saturday due to timetable problems. XXXXXXXXX, the Foundations Coordinator will be in touch with you later on Saturday to rearrange your interview.

And since that nothing.

eslbear · Joined: 19 Feb 2010 Posts: 93

alter ego, I am sorry that your feelings were hurt and you werent given the proper attention and respect which is due to someone of your special skills and experience. Frankly, I am amazed that the college could find a potential teacher with some experience, a degree and a TESOL qualification - a rare find indeed!

Anyway, no doubt the college is understaffed and it is also likely that Omantel has buggered the lines for a few days ( it happens) but why would you assume the place is in shambles and chaos based on your interaction with one secretary? So, write off Oman and the entire ME ? Probably for the best as you couldn't handle it here anyway - oh the hardships ! It takes a tough breed to make it here.....

eslbear

carrottop · Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Posts: 22

Well Alter Ego - first and foremost I must ask if you have ever worked in the middle east? It is possible that telephones are cut off here now and again but it can happen anywhere when road works are going on.
Also you should never assume people's responsibilities. What do you know about this part of the world and working conditions and if staff are over worked and underpaid - maybe that's what happens where you are.
I know from my friend, that this college is expanding and is not understaffed as you suggest. I do have a friend who works there and I assure you that it is not in a shambles. It is a small college with very friendly students.

alter ego · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 209

eslbear, my experience with OTC never hurt my feelings, but it did leave me feeling disappointed and a bit frustrated. My post was about sharing my experience and venting some of that disappointment and frustration.

I never said I had special skills and experience, but I also know my post was a bit of a rant, so I accept your reply with a tit-for-tat grin, knowing full well that I deserved it. But my post also shared my personal experience, and although cynical it was directly related to the topic.

I also clearly stated that my assumption was an educated guess. So that's all it was, a guess, just as you guessed that I probably couldn't handle it in Oman. My guesses are just as good as yours, aren't they?

And what else do teachers need to handle there? Does handling it in Oman take some sort of special skills and experience, the kind say, that only tough breeds like you possess? And who exactly is a tough breed, and why would anyone want to take pride in being one?

carrottop, it really makes no difference whether I've worked in the Middle East or not. I can assume or guess anything I want, as long as I'm aware it's a guess and not a fact. I don't know that much about that part of the world, but I do a lot of reading and research about the job market in the region, and I also have a few acquaintances who worked or are working there.

Based on my experience and common sense, I think it's safe to say the staff of many colleges and universities in both the ME and here in China are over worked and underpaid. Of course it happens in China, and believing it doesn't happen in the ME or elsewhere is incredibly naive.

And then you go and tell us all you've got a friend working there and assure us it's not in shambles. Would you also care to enlighten us about why several posters on this thread have reported irregularities and delays in their hiring and interview schedules? Shouldn't your friend be able to provide you with some direct details, the kind of inside info many of us on the hiring block are seeking?

We already know it's a small college with friendly students and we also know they're currently looking to hire some new teachers for both April and September starts. Why not give us some new info? Could it possibly be because you don't have any concrete details to offer here? I think your reply sort of proves my point: Anyone trying to shed some light on what's going on at this college is still getting left in the dark.