Job Discussion Forums

jammes · Joined: 23 Oct 2011 Posts: 7

I've been considering Oman for a while now. I realize that salaries are not quite on the Saudi scale, but I have the impression that 20-weekly hours in the classroom there (+ 20 more somewhere) would be less stressful than pretty much anything the KSA offers.

I am just a bit perplexed as to why these Colleges of Technology positions are advertised so very frequently. Are there lots of dissatisfied takers leaving before contract completion?

Any thoughts on this would be welcome. And if anyone there wouldn't mind divulging the good and bad of his/her 40-hour, on-site week, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks, j.

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

usa_in_gulf · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 133 Location: Gulf

There has been a dramatic increase in the number students who will enroll at all the Colleges of Technology for not only this year but for next academic year also. All the COTs (Colleges of Technology) have two new student intakes each year; September and January. New instructors are hired to join the colleges for these two intakes.

In previous years, the recruiting agencies were given their individual second term (January) hiring quotas very �late in the game�; typically November/December. But this year, the agencies were informed of their second term quotas at the same time they were informed of their September slots. Therefore, the agencies are advertizing now for both current vacant slots (due to increased student enrollment) and for January openings.

Another added factor is that the hiring process has been much more selective this year than in previous years. Gone are the days of being hired with unrelated BA and a CELTA. Now you have to have a related degree and experience at the college/foundation level. Lots of CVs being submitted- but the percentage being approved for possible interviews is significantly lower.

jammes · Joined: 23 Oct 2011 Posts: 7

USA in Gulf, thank you for your reply. May I assume that you are at present teaching in one of the Colleges of Technology?

"Facilitating" 20 weekly hours of student learning? 20 or so periods of 50 minutes more or less?

And what would be the technological component(s) of ESL instruction there?
Heavy Smartboard usage? Daily PowerPointing? Or could you say that this is left up to the facilitator?

Thanks again.

StampLover · Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 83 Location: Salalah, Oman

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

posh · Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 430

Is a Kavet the same as a quiz?

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

johnslat · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:10 pm Post subject:

Are all facilitators facile?

"Shallow, readily manifested, with an aura of insincerity and lack of depth."

Regards,
John

jammes · Joined: 23 Oct 2011 Posts: 7

What could be worse than the "facilitator"? The educator.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 5:52 pm Post subject:

Dear jammes,

Educator sounds OK to me:

"educate
mid-15c., "bring up (children), train," from L. educatus, pp. of educare "bring up, rear, educate," which is related to educere "bring out, lead forth," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + ducere "to lead."

"The word educate is directly derived from the Latin word educare, which was constructed by combining the two words, ex and ducere. The literal translation of educate is to draw out of, lead out of, etc. The Romans considered educating to be synonymous with drawing knowledge out of somebody or leading them out of regular thinking."

Care to share why you think it's "worse?"

Regards,
John

bertonneau · Joined: 26 May 2009 Posts: 79 Location: Colorado USA

I just returned from Salalah. Oman after 6 weeks of trying out the Salalah College of Technology, I decided that it wasnt for me, that and a sick parent that needed attending to. First, I think the various recruiters that work as temp agencies for the Ministry of Manpower get money for each body they get over there. It is in their financial best interest to get whoever they can that is qualified to sign a contract hop on a plane and come over. It's that simple. Why so many however, other than that Dave's and a few other sites are cheap advertising. There are 5 recruiters all competing for people to come over and work in Oman at the 7 different Colleges of Technology. If you know as little about Oman as I did before I got there, I think it's because no one really knows much about Oman. It's just sort of there. It doesnt make the news much and there's not much of any great significance going on. Not super rich or super poor. It's OK but in my brief experience nothing to write home about. If you need a job in a safe rather mundane country where you'll be treated relatively well Oman's OK.

urbanversion · Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 426

Generally a high proportion of loons, scammers and plain lazy slip through the net. Most do the 3 months take the probation...and quit. Others turn up, hate it, and leave.

Most don't stand it for more than a semester or a year.

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

thegoodprofessor · Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 79

VS has it right...
Chaos, bad management they never learn from good examples.

there is a lot of confusion, untrained recruiters who get their hands on Power for the first time over foreigners and abuse that power. Most of us do not succumb to someone coming from --------------------- acting degrading and disrespectful. Many professors/teachers get out of here after that sort of treatment.
Details are via a pm

The housing they provided me is in the midst of trash dump area and the apt was filthy with cockroaches in the kitchen when I arrived. Somehow they found a way to blame that on me and requested many forms in order to get it cleaned even though I had to arrive to that. My apt was not sleep able upon arrival.
I ended up just paying for the cleaning myself. Not my idea of a good start and I can say I honestly hate them for that attitude. Out of pure resentment I will leave.

I'm looking for a better situation if anyone hears of anything!