Job Discussion Forums

[asalak]

Hi to all -as my tenure in UK ESOL draws to an end I'm thinking of alternative ways to make a living. I had a few questions about TATI colleges and life there generally
I get the impression most people are happy with these colleges, but what I would like to know is:

1. What's the teaching load like per week? How many hours, on average?
2. I would be bringing family with me -is the 3600 US enough to live on and save a bit if not in Muscat? Family is two non school-age girls and wife.
3. Is getting accommodation easy -do colleges help with this?
4. What are classroom facilities like -are there interactive whiteboards in classrooms?
5. How tolerable is the climate -I get the impression that Oman is a better environment to be in than most gulf states -am I wrong?

I have Master's, DELTA, PGCE LL and 14 years' experience -can I do better than this?!

Genuinely grateful for any replies or info.

Thanks

[Warning Bells]

If you have a master's degree in the field along with a DELTA and 14 years of experience, I think you are selling yourself short by even considering an offer from a third party to work at the same colleges in Oman where the turnover rate has been some of the worst in the region. No matter how many third party employers have tried their hands at this, the same situation keeps repeating itself. This should be a red flag!

I have experience working in Oman and I can safely say it's one of the most boring places I have ever visited on earth. These small towns outside of Muscat have nothing to offer but shawarma and tiny 'supermarkets.' It's a good country to read a book or watch TV.

Oh, don't expect such luxuries as 'interactive whiteboards in classrooms.' You will be lucky to have a CD player and PC that work half the time.

[Space Teacher]

Try Sultan Qaboos University.

[asalak]

Thanks to you who replied -much appreciation to you for taking the time to do so.

Kind of confirmed my expectations, though boring is all right -the place I'm at now in the UK is hardly metropolitan sophistication writ large either...

Thanks for PMs too -this isn't info I could get too easily and again, cheers for the ideas.

[urbanversion]

[tvik]

I thought Muscat was quite nice, but it's admittedly a little boring. The country is quite scenic and charming and cetianly exotic, sort of like the thousand and one nights without the adventure part. The Omani students were really nice to be around and Omanis in general are peaceful and friendly, although a little aloof.

MOD edit for irrelevancy

[asalak]

Thanks Haloolah and Egyptfan for your PM advice -duly taken on board! I would PM you back but haven't yet reached the magical 5 posts to do so...
Cheers anyway.

[silvery]

References to the TATI colleges are scattered throughout other threads but it's a little hard for someone unfamiliar with the ME scene to piece together the overall picture. As my situation is not unlike that of "asalak", though I guess I may be 10 or so years younger and don't have dependents, I hope you will forgive me if I add some questions of my own here.

Asalak wrote: "I had a few questions about TATI colleges and life there generally I get the impression most people are happy with these colleges".

Any comments on this general impression?

...

While I do plan to spend some time trying to research these individual colleges and locations, it would be much appreciated if some of you could offer your views on how you'd compare and thus advise of "preferred 5 locations" from:

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Nizwa College of Technology
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Ibri College of Technology
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Al Musanna College of Technology
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Ibra College of Technology
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Shinas College of Technology
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Salalah college of Technology
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Higher college of Technology

...

According to advice in another thread, I'd need to be employed directly by a government authority and not through an agent in order for my husband to be able to apply for a long stay visa. Is tatioman.com/TEFL-TESOL.htm the place at which direct applications can be made?

Thanks for your help.

P.S. Feel free to send private messages if needed.

[usa_in_gulf]

None of the Colleges of Technology offer direct hires to non-Omani instructors. However, most of the agencies will provide your husband with a visa. Check with TATI.