Job Discussion Forums

[aliasrachel]

Does anyone work at Dhofar University or know anything about it. They are currently advertising on TESOL.

[1st Sgt Welsh]

Never worked there, but, it is located in Salalah, which, IMHO, is one of the best spots in the Gulf. Most of the students will be Jabalis and, I dare say, won't be particularly motivated, but, that's typical for the region. Staff used to have trouble getting liquor licenses, but, that was a while ago and I'm not sure if that is still the case. Met a few people who worked there for years so they obviously thought it was OK. Sorry, that's all I can tell you.....

[aliasrachel]

Thanks! I looked at photos of Salalah and it looks gorgeous! I loved Muscat when I visited a few years ago and would live there, though I'm not so much a city gal.

[Earthbound]

I have worked at Dhofar University and I know a lot about the place.
English teachers work on two separate programmes:majors and the foundation programme. The former makes for a pleasant work experience, but the latter should be avoided at all costs.

[madrileno]

[aliasrachel]

Earthbound: what didn't you like about the Foundation Course?

[Earthbound]

You apply to work on one of the two programmes. I believe there are advertisements for staff needed on the DU website.
That said, it is every FP teacher's dream to escape and work on the majors. Very few teachers succeed through this route as all attempts are consistently blocked. Some single-minded, persistent teachers have made it despite all the obstacles.

[Earthbound]

In FP, a teacher's lot is not a happy one. You have to fight constant battles on three separate fronts with students, teaching colleagues and the management. I'm sure you can imagine some of the challenges, but with that place, it's something special, where do you start?! Give it a wide berth.
Have you considered applying to either the College of Technology, or the College of Applied Sciences in Salalah. Former FP teachers who either jumped or were pushed have found their niche in these places.

[Earthbound]

It came as no surprise that a most illuminating post about FP was removed from this forum. They did the same last year after someone had posted an extremely well-written analysis of the place. Own goal number two!
It's worth visiting the DU website. Look at the latest newsletter on the FP page. You would be forgiven for thinking you were reading a description of Utopia! It's all there. List of unparalleled achievements. Tick. Prizes for everyone. Tick. Lots of smiling happy faces. Tick. Everything fine and dandy. Tick. Read between the lines. If it sounds too good to be true, then it is.

[veiledsentiments]

If any post was removed, it would have been because it broke the new rule about length. Obviously if it was about negative reviews, all 3 of yours would be gone.

VS

[Earthbound]

What a pity that long posts are not allowed. A full and frank description of a place can't be done in a few sentences. Being negative about a place one once worked at gives little pleasure. A good few years ago, FP had a wonderful woman as director. She was revered by teachers and staff alike. She had a firm hand on the tiller, yet delegated wisely and, above all, knew and trusted her teachers. After she left, things started going downhill.

[veiledsentiments]

I think you have covered pretty well most of the negatives. In many cases those super long rants just end up seeming more personal whines... and very often one can see why the writer had issues. LOL

Most of the time the best approach is a few bullet points. When it comes to bad jobs, it is usually the same issues.

VS

[baa_baa]

I logged on to their web page to see if I can find sth and my computer started making noise because I got a trojan virus.. becareful youguys