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I have taught English as Foreign Language for seven of the last ten years in the Sultanate of Oman; at the Nizwa College of Education from 1998 to 2002, and at the University of Nizwa from 2005 to the present. Although it has undergone extremely rapid economic growth over that time, Oman is still the country with the most beautiful mountains and beaches, and the friendliest people in the Arabian Gulf Region.
In the ten years since I arrived in Nizwa, every institution of higher learning, of which there are many, both public and private, and of which Sultan Qaboos University is the most prestigious, has made it a requirement for students of all majors, except Islamic Studies and Arabic, to enroll in a Foundation Year Program, the equivalent of an Intensive English Language Program, for a year before starting their major fields of study. This has been quite a challenge, because, while the students are by and large friendly, and have previously taken six to nine years of English, they often have trouble internalizing the study skills necessary to make a decent showing on a TOEFL or IELTS examination. Many end up taking English courses alongside their majors.
All of the colleges and universities are fairly generous in extending contracts of tax-free monthly salaries between RO 850-1100 (RO 1= US $2.60) , depending upon the applicant’s degree, with annual roundtrip airfare, housing (but not always furniture), health insurance, etc. provided. If housing is not provided, then it may be included in salaries RO 200 higher. It must be said that currently, inflation is running at 11-12%, and may also be a reason for choosing to work away from Muscat, where the temptation to spend on a daily basis is greater, and the salaries do not compensate. Also, most recently, water has become a concern as laying of a pipeline for desalinated water from the coast to Al Dakhliya makes clear.
Naturally, it is hot here, but really only unbearably so from April through October. Personally, I prefer the dry heat of Al Dakhliya (Nizwa) to the humidity of the coast (Muscat), for this allows for greater outdoor activity during the evenings of the hotter months. Salalah, which is in the far south, gets a monsoon-related cool and rainy season from mid-June through mid-September. November through March are ideal for exploring the forts, markets, date palm groves, mountains, beaches, and seas that the country has to offer, at any time of day. While renting or owning a car is almost a must for commuting, 4WD vehicles allow for off-road adventure. Scuba diving is said to be magnificent year-round.
All in all, it is the quality of life combined with reasonably good salaries that make Oman a good choice for EFL teachers. |
From 11 People
