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Oman is one of those countries that will surprise you. At first glance, you will think it’s a barren place of rocks, stifling heat, and endless desert. Look deeper and you will find an extremely diverse and beautiful landscape, friendly locals, mild winter months, and an ever intriguing cultural history.
Oman is situated on the eastern Arabian Peninsula and borders the Arabian Sea. Strategically, one of the most important countries in the gulf as the Musandam Peninsula sits at the mouth of the Straight of Hormuz, the valuable shipping lane for all oil exports leaving the Gulf. Oman is perfect for those wanting to teach in a Middle Eastern country where you can experience Arabic culture, yet feel very safe with all western style conveniences.
There is an abundance of college’s and language schools in Oman who are searching for teachers. At the College and language school level, a college degree, and TESOL, CELTA, or DELTA certificate is required. Masters and PhD holders will find it easier to secure a job and the pay is slightly higher. Gulf teaching experience is also an advantage and in many cases, is just as important as an advanced degree. In addition, married couples and those with families are also encouraged to apply for Omani teaching positions.
The majority of jobs in Oman at the college level are usually offered through a recruiter, who is responsible for the hiring process for any number of colleges and universities throughout the Sultanate. Your recruiter will also be responsible for securing your work visa, living arrangements and health insurance. Most universities and colleges are under Oman’s Ministry of Higher Education, so even though you will be hired through a recruiter, you will be working for the MOHE. Oman’s university system is spread out throughout the major cities in Oman. Muscat, Sohar, Salalah, Sur and Nizwa are the major Omani cities with major Universities.
I accepted an offer to teach at the College of Applied Sciences, based in the town of Sur, an approximate 2 hour drive south of the capital Muscat. Sur is a coastal town situated on the Arabian Sea. I chose to teach in Sur because I wanted to be close to the sea and since this being Oman, the summer months can be extremely hot. In addition, there were many sites and places that I wanted to visit in the southern part of the country. Oman is also one of the overlooked gulf countries that is rapidly developing, and I wanted to visit and spend time here before it became too westernized.
The college is home to about 2,000 students from all over Oman. All students must go through the English Foundation Program, lasting 3 semesters, and then are required to take another 2 years of English Language courses. The teaching staff was quite big and numbered upwards of 30 English teachers. This not only included western teachers, but also a number of Omani nationals who taught within the English faculty.
Salaries in Oman are above average and will give you the ability to save a good amount of money each month. Degree holders with a TESOL certificate can expect to earn approximately $2500 USD per month. The cost of living is very low and this helps in saving money in Oman. MA and PhD holders can expect around $2700-2800 per month. Housing is included, and you will find that apartments are very spacious.
In Oman, you will find that a car or some form of transportation is essential. I and a majority of the other teachers rented cars for the duration of our time in Oman, which allowed us to explore the country side, travel to and from the college, and also make visits to the capital of Muscat on a regular basis. This is the biggest expense you will incur each month. If you are the type of person that likes to camp, explore the country, and get to know the locals, then you will find that transportation is essential. I did! Even with this, I was still able to save a significant amount of money each month.
Housing will be included in your offer. Upon arrival, my recruiter showed me a number of flats and I was able to choose which one I liked. Even for single teachers, in most cases the apartments are two bedroom/two bathroom flats and include washer, air conditioning ( a necessity in Oman), and utilities. Depending on your location in Oman, housing is usually located a short distance away from the University. This means that you must find your own transportation to the college. If you rent a car, then it will not be an issue. In Sur, there are plenty of taxis that are very cheap and will pick you up at the closest street corner.
Remember to always take into consideration your surroundings and proximity to post offices, dry-cleaners, markets, café’s etc. Options do vary. You could find yourself in a complex with 8-10 other teachers, or alone in a single unit flat, or living with locals. Choose the environment you would feel most comfortable in. After all, this will be your home for the next year!
Expect to teach at least 20 hours per week. Many teaching contracts in the Gulf area number around 20 hours in terms of in-class teaching. This may vary depending on the college. Some colleges also require student counseling, student activities, staff meetings, and office hours. Regardless of how many hours you teach each week, teachers are usually required to be on campus between 8-3pm.
If you’re thinking of teaching in the Gulf region, I highly recommend that TESOL teachers consider Oman. The country still retains its cultural heritage, and the geographical landscape of the country makes it perfect for camping, hiking and exploring. Also, don’t forget the friendly hospitality of the Omani people! |
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