Job Discussion Forums

kylemcgee · Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Posts: 86 Location: Various..

Hello -

I had an interesting surprise today. I arrived in Oman yesterday. Today when I met with the Asst. Dean at the Oman College of Management & Technology, he said they wanted to make me the Head of the English Department. This was based on my masters (in ELT) and the fact that I'm a native English speaker with a good amount of teaching experience.

The question is how much should that pay? I was told my previous salary would be OR 1100 for 16 hours a week. He told me the new salary would be OR 100 more. Worth the headache? There are 8 teachers to deal with..

What do you think?

Kyle

mccainjohn96 · Joined: 03 Dec 2008 Posts: 93

You should take it, even if the pay were 100 LESS.

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

How experienced are you at herding cats? How high is your masochism level? Laughing

More seriously, is your experience in tertiary education... specifically in the Middle East? If the answer is no, you might be getting into a difficult situation.

I think you may be ending up with a lot more headaches and much longer hours... for not much more money. But then, I am one of those who had zero interest in getting into management. If you have an interest in it, it is a chance to see how you like it.

VS

mccainjohn96 · Joined: 03 Dec 2008 Posts: 93

If you decide you don't want it, tell them I'm available.

kylemcgee · Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Posts: 86 Location: Various..

kylemcgee · Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Posts: 86 Location: Various..

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

I'd say musicians are a much more mellow group (when they aren't too hung over) than mixed nationality English teachers in the Gulf... who all think that they know everything about teaching and that you are an idiot. Laughing

I wouldn't do it for 1000 more a month.

If you've got a thick skin and want to try it out... it's really only a nine month gig. Why not ask for 200 more?

VS

kylemcgee · Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Posts: 86 Location: Various..

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

I have to admit that I have no idea what the management earned. Salaries are always such a big secret. Rolling Eyes

VS

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 3:44 am Post subject:

Did you pack yer set of Ginsu knives? That seems to be required tools of most ME managers...

NCTBA

kylemcgee · Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Posts: 86 Location: Various..

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

That is 12 hours of teaching plus managing... so although you are cutting your contact hours with the students (the pleasant part of the job), but who knows how many hours the managing will take you. It many very well mean that you have no time (or energy) for any moonlighting.

Doing 12 hours is normal for even course coordinators, so this may be more what you will be doing. Managers above that level normally don't teach at all. Of course much depends on how many teachers, how many courses, and how much freedom you have to delegate.

Be warned as of now that your employer will likely know who you are here, so be careful what you post. The most innocuous of public comments can get someone in trouble. Laughing

VS

kylemcgee · Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Posts: 86 Location: Various..

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

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

My pay for HOD/Director of a 35 teacher English Department in 2008 was 1200 OMR base salary. When housing was added the package was 1500 take home OMR per month.

You will earn every baisa......it is AFGE.

Have fun!