Job Discussion Forums

[daemonic]

Hey. I'm keen on moving into the middle east but am not sure about the living conditions with all the wind happening in the neighbouring countires. Any thougts or advise to share on the topic? What are the salary ranges to expect, and possibly good places to work or recruiters to avoid. I saw one add posted here by CECN Educonsult, does anyone have any info on these guys?
thanx

[veiledsentiments]

If you read around the boards you will see that the surrounding politics are pretty much irrelevant to most teachers. Those that worry too much about it don't take jobs in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is the only place that has had serious problems a few years back.

To answer your question, what are your credentials? If you have the required education and experience, you can avoid the recruiter based jobs which are rather the bottom on the Gulf barrel as far as pay and conditions.

If you are new to the field and have at least a BA+Celta and a couple years teaching, they are fine for entry level. But generally speaking, the conditions are not tolerable for everyone. There is a search mechanism at the top of the page to check out various recruiters and colleges.

VS

[daemonic]

i've got a BA, TESOL and 6 years of teaching experiece. what salary range would that put me into, just so I know what to stay away from

[jdl]

Salary ranges generally from 1000 omr to 1500 omr/month depending on experience and qualifications. This is inclusive of allowances. Different recruiters configure the package differently... so sign with a recruiter having a package that best suits your needs. For example, one recruiter may pay a higher housing allowance but another recruiter may pay for dependent travel and yet another recruiter may pay a higher base salary. It is a bit like shopping for a car...read the finer print. Most problems between recruiters and employees arise from a misunderstanding of the contract. "caveat emptor'

[kuberkat]

It's the office politics you should be concerned about!

This is a remarkable country with strong traditions and stark beauty. The cultural value system is very different from Western mores, which can be educational but also frustrating. Education may be the greatest friction point as the nation veers forward, and working in English education can be extremely stressful for this reason. There are admirable moves within the higher levels of the ministries to improve things, but these are often thwarted by local customs such as tribal loyalties, the laid-back attitude that is so charming outside the workplace, and a very different perspective of time.

I can guarantee you that Oman will be an eye-opening experience. But it is unlikely to be easy, and it is extremely important to come here with a clear goal, a time-consuming passion and a generous helping of tolerance.

[jdl]

"Wherever one goes .... there one is."

If one has 'gotten along' and thrived in previous environments one is likely to continue in the same vane. Past experience is always a good predictor. Oman has the great gifts of 'time and space' to be used or misused as seen fit. A wonderful opportunity for exploration of self, fellow man and the geography.

[kuberkat]

Attitude is certainly an important thing, and one generally finds that the same folks who complain in one place, complain in any other. Still, it is important for anyone who is considering coming to Oman to see both the potential and the difficulties.

This is a small pond, and it is easy to become a big fish. If you make the most of your time here, there are great opportunities to contribute signficantly to education in this country and build your career. I personally owe Oman a great deal, but I have given back, too.

I have also got by on twenty hours' sleep a week to meet my work duties, been plagiarized by my direct superior during a national conference, been stoned by children, asked when I will convert to the one true faith by the accountant who had been syphoning off a portion of my salary for ten months, groped by a ministry chauffeur, shushed when catching students cheating on exams, driven into by two local drivers and propositioned in a hypermarket by a bearded man pushing a trolley full of Pampers.

Good and bad are everywhere, and expatriate professionals are lucky enough to choose the mix that is most personally acceptable. In Oman there is the benefit of a good income, great natural beauty, free time, career growth and abundant opportunities to contribute to educational development. There is also a price to pay, doubled if you are a single woman, no matter how modest or virtuous. You can choose this challenge, the challenge of another EFL context, or the challenge of your home country.

Because a challenge it will always be.

[jdl]

Oman does provide the observer time and (peace) space to contemplate all those human issues one does not normally analyze 'at home' because one is too busy living. Issues such as sex role discrimination, work ethic, ethics and morals in general, inter/multicultural interaction, world view tolerance, religious tolerance, human nature...on and on. A wonderful learning opportunity.

"An unexamined life is not worth living" (Socrates) while self absorbtion is madness. Maturity lies somewhere in the middle.

[kuberkat]

Touche'!

One of the great benefits of encounters with other cultures is that we get to examine/modify/solidify our own taken-for-granted views. The more different the culture, the more food for thought. Considering the amount of hearsay the Arab world is shrouded in internationally, anyone living in this culture is especially fortunate to be better informed.

If only we could see our own modi operandi as lucidly as we see others'.

And of course, one redeeming factor is always cuisine. You can only hold a grudge so long against anyone who can offer you homemade hummous, steaming cardamom tea, fragrant halwa or spicy biryani. All that while lazing barefoot on a mat under the stars.

[jdl]

Ah, the life!

You have 'hit the nail squarely', 'found the sweet spot', 'put the puck in the net' etc; the challenge and excitement of working in multi cultural environments...to see ourselves as clearly as we think we see others.

Don't forget the shuwa and mishkak and Omai Heineken (dew)