Job Discussion Forums

[bertonneau]

To anyone but actually directed at DUFFY as he has lived in Salalah for so long: I have signed a contract with TATI Oman for the mentioned college. Please anyone who has or does work there fill me in on as many things as possible. I know what my contract says but I have recently read about some boob who works for TATI, who apparently would be in charge of my paycheck among other things. Sounds like life there is actually pretty good assuming my living situation works out correctly. Are we paid responsibly and on time? Are concerns basically taken care of in something that resembles a timely fashion? Are teachers at this school happy working there? Compared to soem places in Oman it sounds btter thn most but... I want to do my best to make sure all is well before hoping on a plane for the other side of the world in a countryI wont be able to speak in. I know thre are lots of foreigners there since it's a port city. I'm not expecting the world but do want to make sure what I consider basics are taken care of before I land or go there in less than a month. Anyone out there reading this please share your thoughts Thanks, Geoffrey Bertonneau

[georgemcduff]

Hello Geoffrey

I've lived in Salalah for a few years, working in SCT.

There are a few companies to work for. I'm certain all of them pay correctly and on time.

I love it here. There are problems like there are problems everywhere- but I'd say it's a very good place to work.

Not everyone is happy, which makes you wonder what they're really doing there. But overall it's a decent place.

George

[runninggirl]

Can I come and visit you when you get settled?
Salala sounds beautiful. There are some utube videos on it.

You will have a good time there and I don't think you need to worry about pay or housing from what I have heard. Also after the first month you won't have to deal with Tati much again. So no matter who is running it there just get through the first month with them and you'll be fine.

I've never been there and this next year I want to make a point of visiting.

[usa_in_gulf]

Just want to point out that all of the recruiters pay on time. Frankly, any �glitches� are overwhelming �teacher made��for example, taking sick days�not turning in a sick leave slip�and then becoming �over the top� angry that your company deducted the time from your paycheck. Or taking unpaid days�and again��shocked and insulted� that those days are actually deducted from your pay.

Again, all of the MOM recruiters pay on time. In fact, it is quite normal for everyone to be paid prior to their company�s pay date. Funny to see teachers get incredibly pissed off to receive their pay on their pay date inside of earlier.

[Duffy]

Geoffrey,

Unfortunately I worked next door in the College of Applied Sciences. I have a couple of friends who have been at the College of Technology for quite a while and they seem happy enough. I do know that they have a building under construction that will house the English Language department. Apart from that I think over the years I have written enough in praise of Salalah, though it is a year now since I left the city, it is changing, for the good I might add. There is a new Lulus Hypermarket with a good coffee shop, (I have heard.) Also the dualisation of Al Salaam street and 23rd July Street will certainly help. Anyone who has been in the city before these improvements will remember the chaos of 23rd Street, especially at prayer time.
It is a very cosmopolitan city because of the high expat numbers, but at the same time the Omanis in Dhofar generally are very traditional, except when it comes to driving, then they are like any other ME country and you have to adopt the ""defensive driving"" mode

Now that the Khareef is over the hills and valleys will be verdant, at least until you go over the Qara towards Thumrait where you will see the distinctive line of vegitation stop dead at the edge of the Njd, the area between mountains and desert.

So Geoffery, I don't know much about TATI or the CoT, But I am a big fan of Salalah and given the choice of there or Nizwa my current location I know where I would rather be.

Duffy

[bertonneau]

Thanks for all the positive feedback any and all info I can get about my possible future situation is appreciated by me and by others I'm sure. Any teacher from Sallah and particularly sal. Coll. of Tech info is appreciated.

[kuberkat]

Hi Bertonneau

You have chosen well! I have worked at a College of Applied Sciences in the North and the College of Technology in Salalah, and assure you the latter wins out by far.

The college and the ELC are in transition, and this can be challenging. However the work/life balance is still great. If you want to be happy in Salalah, you will be.

Some teachers find the current administration "difficult", mainly because teaching, marking, some adminstration and lesson planning are required. Anyone familiar with the concept of working for one's pay, or even teaching well, would not be put off. What I found demanding is that students in Salalah, even more than elsewhere in Oman, arrive in college without basic study skills, and often without basic English either. What they do have is great people skills and heart, and if you appeal to this - and their sense of fun - your lessons will be loved and your students will progress.

As to life in Salalah, I believe it is the best in the Gulf. If you really need a shopping mall experience, you can always head for Muscat or Dubai, but the Salalah lifestyle is great and the people, as you have probably heard are truly kind-hearted.

For activities in Salalah, try www.secretsalalah.com (created by a former Salalah College of Tech teacher). For the moment it is the definitive Salalah resource in English, and should lead to most info you need.

Good luck, and please report back when you're settled!