Job Discussion Forums

Old Surrender · Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 5:59 am Post subject: University work

After three years in China, I'm thinking about trying out Oman -- specifically university work. Here are my questions, forgive me if all of this has been covered before -- the search function is being wonky.

-- When is the hiring season for uni work?

-- What qualifications do Omani unis generally want? (I got a bachelor's in journalism, 2 years teaching uni, 1 year with kids, and TEFL cert; wife has 5.5 years teaching uni, master's in English, same TEFL cert.)

-- Are holidays paid and how long are they? (Chinese unis more or less mirror American holidays, i.e., two months off in winter, two months off in summer plus a week off in October.)

-- Do unis generally provide housing or a stipend?

-- Are side gigs (privates and part-time work) frowned upon/illegal?

-- What's the payscale?

I know there are differences from university A and university B, but I'm just trying to gauge the scene.

On a side note:

-- And how hard is it to learn survival Arabic? (It took me a year to learn survival Chinese and now I can make small talk, but I am faaaaaaaaar from fluent.)

Thanks.

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

I�ll speak for the Ministry of Manpower.
1) Early August or November are the best time but in reality all year long except May-July.

2) Those are fine qualifications. You have the minimum (BA, CELTA, 2 years uni experience) but your wife will get offered more.

3) Holidays are paid. 8 weeks summer, 10 days for the 2nd EID, 1 week semester break and a few religious and government holidays here and there.

4) They all now give you housing stipends which are part of your package.

5) Not really frowned upon but not really worth the time and effort.

6) With your qualifications between 1250-1400, you wife�s 1300-1500

7) I know people will differ from me but I actually find it difficult to learn. You will of course learn vocabulary but most people know enough English to get by. Very few foreigners need to learn Arabic as there is always someone in a shop or restaurant, government office, etc. who speaks English.

Old Surrender · Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 12:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks, StampLover!

One last question. Are Omani unis picky and demand a CELTA? My cert isn't a CELTA, it's from an American university.

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

no, that should be fine.

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

Old Surrender · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 10:46 am Post subject:

Is there an online job site(s) that Omani universities all seem to post to (Chinese ones post to Dave's and Angelina's) or is it better to cold call places?

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

No, there is no such site... nor will cold calls be of much value. Most of the colleges and universities now hire through the recruiters who advertise endlessly all over the place.

As to the private colleges... google up their names and check out their website. Most of those websites will tell you how to apply. There are some private colleges in both Muscat and Salalah, along with the University of Nizwa, that direct hire. (but not huge numbers of teachers usually...)

VS

Old Surrender · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 4:30 pm Post subject:

Ah, yes, I've seen some of those. I just dismissed them as scams because in the Far East, using a recruiter to find a job is for the unqualified, lazy, and desperate who are willing to work in poohole locales, in lousy conditions for unscrupulous sketchballs.

I'm learning a whole new ballgame.

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

The Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Manpower are managing a group of small universities all around Oman, and they have passed hiring over to these recruiters.

They are not great jobs because of the recruiter system, but one thing that they are not is "scams." "Scams" advertise a non-existent jobs and convince you to send them money to buy your non-existent visa. They are jobs and you don't pay anything up front, so they are not scams.

But, you did describe many of their teachers. Laughing

VS

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Can one get hired with a Bachelor's degree plus TEFL (not CELTA)? I have seven years of teaching experience.

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

Currently, a applicant needs a related degree to be considered for the Colleges of Technology-meaning a MA/M.Ed (English/Applied Linguistics/TEFL/TESOL) or BA English + Post Graduate Diploma in EFL/ESL or B.Ed (4 years program in English/Applied Linguistic/TEFL/TESOL). Also, as of this month�only native speakers, and Omanis, are being considered. Each college vets the applications submitted to them from the various recruiters. So there is a small possibility that if you don�t have the exact qualifications but an outstanding resume; such as numerous years of Gulf experience�a college may select to interview you.

It�s important to note that system-wide, the Colleges of Technology do not have a higher than average turn-over rate comparative to international educational establishments� norms. Overwhelming, the constant hiring is contributed to the continual increase in the number of students admitted to the colleges (some locations are currently dealing with double or triple their normal intake numbers) and that the colleges hire for September and January starts. (New students are admitted in both September and January.)

Another huge factor is the small percentage of qualified applicants. An incredibly small amount of applicants are actually qualified. Therefore, there is a constant need to gather a large number of CVs.

A few of the seven technical colleges are currently only considering applicants with Masters Degrees.