Job Discussion Forums

[dorothy1]

Hey everyone. I hope you all can help me out with some information. I've heard mixed signals about CfBT and The colleges of Applied Science in areas of Oman. I've been interviewing with them for a position in Salalah the coming year. I've read some posts about the firings of teachers. Any information would be greatly appreciated regarding what happened, the colleges themselves, working environment, and what it's like working for CfBT. Starting salaries seem to start at around 1000 OR, and housing is also covered.... Thoughts???

[mcsam]

Run, run like the wind.
I have to admit that I do not work for CfBT Oman but they do sound very similar to CfBT U.A.E. Who are BAD, BAD, BAD.
I have had a couple of run ins with the senior management team here to the extent that they will not engage with me on any level (e-mail, telephone or in person). This has happened because I *gasp* questioned a couple of policy decisions that they made. The first one being why no EFL/ESL/EAL (whatever your preferred acronym is) was allowed 1 (yes only 1) day off to attend TESOL Arabia. They couldn't justify their position and it got to the stage where I was threatened with disciplinary action if I didn't "sit down and shut up" about it. I also questioned the lack of transparency in appointments, as I saw a lot of nepotism and cronyism going on here, and when I sent in my letter of non-renewal that was the end.....I have been persona non grata ever since.
My latest query is to do with the end of service settlement and why CfBT thinks it can break U.A.E labour law and not pay us until it suits them which is after we have left the country. Hence, in my case, straight into my UK bank account where I will incurr 45% emergency tax charges. Gotta love the UK tax laws.
Anyway if this is not enough to make you think twice I have many more examples of mis-management which I will happily share with you.

[veiledsentiments]

mcsam is not referring to the job you are asking about dorothy. I suggest that you use the search to find posts about Salalah and by Duffy who has direct experience and knowledge of what is happening with CfBT in Salalah.

Everyone is in the process of final exams and exit procedures for summer leave, so hopefully you will get a response.

All recruiters seem to have 'issues' and so does CfBt, but the issues tend to vary by country.

VS

[james van cleave]

Oh yes, Veiled Sentiments, oh yes.
Your sagacity crosses not only borders, it crosses the ages! I beg one question, if I may...
Why aren't you our ambassadress to one these noble plots? I guess you're waiting to confer with Mr. Obama.

[007]

Well, Sheikha VS, got the title of Ambassadress to the ME since 2003!

[veiledsentiments]

Long before that... actually back to the mid-90's when this board first appeared.

But, it seems the level of intolerability of these recruiters depends on location... and the tolerance level of the individual teacher.

My general advice on this board has always been to avoid recruiters at all costs, but unfortunately if you don't have an MA, you may very well be stuck with them if you want to work in Oman or need that paycheck.

VS

[lotsa]

[boundforsaudi]

You are correct, lotsa. No MA is required to teach English for the MOHE, and neither is a BA in English, for that matter. But VS did not say that an MA was required. Please read more carefully. And if you intend to continue in the field, please return to college and study English. For all I know, you have an MA yourself, perhaps an MEd, and probably a CELTA, but you have obviously spent very little time studying English, and you have no business teaching English, considering your obvious lack of reading comprehension and poor writing skills. I hope you have not been teaching the apostrophe.

[lotsa]

Here we go again, nothing else to attack but the poor apostrophe Never heard of implied statements before? Perhaps you need some lessons in comprehension as well.

Nonetheless, the apostrophe is dead, as I guessing this thread will be soon, so last dibs in gets the last say

[veiledsentiments]

There was the detail about how you had all your facts wrong since you were unable to read and comprehend my posts...

VS

[lotsa]

The Queen of the forum speaks. One must bow in reverance and subservience. VS is right always and in every case, so what is the point posting on here anymore if one happens to disagree.

HRH VS for quite a long time you have been of the opinion that a BA is not good enough for Oman. I, like many others in here, disagree but you are fixated on the contrary. So be it. I really couldn't care about it anymore, there's no point.

[boundforsaudi]

[mishmumkin]

Wow....the word "Duh" comes to mind when I read this thread. Veiled Sentiments didn't not say that the MoHE schools required MAs. She said that if you didn't have a masters that you are generally stuck dealing w/ recruiters if you want to work in Oman as the MoHE institutions are one of the few places that will hire non-MA holders and they use recruiters to do the hiring.

[lotsa]

Either way, you are still all wrong. Duh back at ya, because you don't need a recruiter to get you a job here if you only have BA. You all missed the point really, but I guess that is a given because VS's word is taken as true each and every time, even though said person doesn't even work here AT THIS TIME! People living thousands of miles away from here really aren't in the know. Duh!

[mishmumkin]