Oman

An ancient center of commerce and culture at the crossroads of the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, Oman is an Arab state on the Arabian Peninsula. The “pearl of Arabia” is renowned for its stunning coastlines and sweeping desert vistas and is considered one of the most attractive destinations on the peninsula for tourists and expats alike. It offers an array of historical and natural treasures, from medieval forts and ancient cities to breathtaking beaches and majestic mountains. About Oman Oman has a population of 3.8 million people, with expatriates and foreign citizens making up almost half that population! This means there are over 12 languages regularly spoken by its citizens and although many different regional and foreign languages are spoken in Oman, the official language of the country is Arabic. The most widely observed religion is Islam, with over three-quarters of the population practicing. As a conservative Middle Eastern nation, foreigners living in Oman should be sensitive to local customs and prepare to adapt to life in a society governed by conservative Islamic law and traditions. As an ancient center of trade linking Asia with the Middle East and Africa, Oman (and specifically the capital of Muscat) has been ruled by a series of foreign powers ranging from the Persians and the Portuguese to the Ottomans and the British, each leaving its stamp. Omani culture is heavily influenced by not only its imperial past but also its neighbors; Saudi Arabia, the UAE…

Each country has its own requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Oman. Education A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in English or a related field is required to teach English in Oman and a master’s degree (in any field) or teaching license is highly preferred. Additionally, schools prefer to hire candidates who have two or more years of previous classroom teaching experience (typically at the K-12 public school level) and/or a teaching license from a country like the United States or the United Kingdom. Citizenship There is no specific citizenship requirement to obtain a work visa or teach English in Oman. However, schools prefer to hire citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. English Fluency Schools prefer to hire native English speakers who are citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. There are occasional exceptions, depending on the teacher’s experience and credentials. Background Check You will likely need a clean criminal record in order to teach English in Oman. Most teaching positions in Oman require the tea…

Oman is both a lucrative and competitive market for foreign English teachers. The country’s small population size, a large expat community, and the promise of competitive salaries and benefits, allow Omani employers the opportunity to be picky with the educators they choose to bring on board. English teaching jobs in Oman are concentrated in Muscat, Salalah, Sur, Nizwa, and other larger cities. Qualified English teachers in Oman will have their fair share of school types to choose between — from preschools and kindergartens to international schools, private language schools, public schools, and even universities, the educational world is your oyster in Oman! Each of these job types comes with its own specific set of advantages, so you’ll want to understand the basic differences between them before you begin applying. Teaching contracts in Oman, regardless of the type of school you work for, are typically 12 months in length. Private Language Schools Private language schools are privately-run and typically for-profit language training centers that can cater to students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Many school-aged students will attend private language schools to supplement their public or private school language education, and adults will often attend private language schools to develop their foreign language competency and thereby advance their professional and career options. Unlike public schools or international schools, private language schools specialize sole…

Now that you’ve acquainted yourself with some of the most popular job types of Oman, it’s time to start the application process. There are several steps to take to start the application process for Oman. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa will overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Teaching in Oman Timeline , as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on track with your documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Photos Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools or recruiters and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. To take a deeper dive into international resumes and cover letters, visit the Resume and Cover Letter section ! Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your drafts to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Photos As part of the application process, the school may request photos from you. A headshot photo is typical, which you can send with your application or attach to your resume. Don’t send any additional photos unless requested. Wear business casual clothing in your photos, in front of a neu…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position at a school in Oman and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Oman is 600 – 1,200 OMR per month — it’s a sizable range, and largely dependent on a teacher’s experience and the location of the school. Anything significantly lower or higher than this salary range should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like a rural location with a low cost of living or longer than average working hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Teaching English in Oman is a full-time gig and teaching contracts are typically 12-months long. However, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week (typically 35 to 40) to consider. Will you have to wor…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this process like a pro. While the visa process in Oman can be lengthy, the good news is that the procedures are handled almost entirely by your employer. In general, foreign teachers accept a job offer and have their work visa process prior to arriving in Oman, a process that can take between 1-3 months. Your school should assist you with the majority of the visa application process. Take it from former ITA instructor, Mariam M ., who taught in Muscat, “I quickly did my own research on Oman. The contract would be for 3 years and I knew that wasn’t too long to be abroad. It was manageable. I quickly emailed them [the school] my resume and other thing[s] they needed to get started on my contract and visa. ” Sounds straightforward enough, right? Let’s get started! Visa Types Work Visa What is it? An employment visa is issued to those who find employment in advance of moving to Oman. Most teachers in Oman teach on an employment visa. How do you get one? Your employer will assist you in obtaining all of the necessary documents needed to apply for the Employment Visa. The majority of English teachers will apply for and receive their employment in advance of moving to Oman. However, in some cases, your employer may request you enter Oman on a tourist visa and apply for your Employment Visa while in Oman. How long is it valid? …

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. More often than not in Oman, health insurance is provided by the employer as part of your compensation package. Check out the Accepting the Right Offer section to learn more! Savings & Banking In Oman, it may take anywhere from four to six weeks before you receive your first paycheck. Therefore, you’ll want to plan accordingly! We recommend having anywhere between 400 – 600 OMR in your bank account to tide you over until you get paid. Once you’ve started receiving paychecks from your school, you may want to look into having a bank account where that hard-earned salary will go! Likely, your scho…

You have finally made it to the end of the Oman section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Oman. This timeline is not only for the planners and check-list lovers (although you will love this too). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Oman to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. While there is no peak hiring season in Oman as jobs can be found year-round, many schools and universities begin their terms in August-September, so the months of May-August tend to be excellent times to look for employment in Oman. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. Finding a Job in Oman 4-6 months before departure: Begin your research ___Decide to work with recruiters, apply directly, or both! ___List out your preferences and priorities. ___ Chat with ITA alumni and read about alumni experiences. ___ Read through ITA’s resources, watch a Student Affairs webinar. ___Read about Omani culture, etc. ___Ensure your passport will be valid six months past your anticipated return date or order a new passport. ___Start saving up so you have enough money in your bank for start-up costs. It’s recommended to have between 400 – 600 OMR saved by the time you arrive. ___Reach out to a Studen…

I work 5 days/week (Sunday-Thursday) for 8 hours per day; however only 20 hours per week are spent in the classroom. The remaining time is used for office hours and lesson planning. This semester I teach English primarily to first-year university students. Teaching English in a university in the Gulf, the salary and the vacation time are great! I get about 49 days per year vacation so that allows for plenty of travel time. Edward Y. Nizwa, Oman Summers in Oman are very hot and humid. In August through October, I used to take an afternoon nap on the couch after I got home because the heat exhausted me even though I had air conditioning in the car and at home. Walking from the car and to the car was enough to break me into a sweat. The weather got better in November and in winter, it’s in the 70s and nice enough to sit outside and have dinner on the balcony. I had to get used to the week starting on Sunday and ending on Thursday. I have met a lot of American, British and South African teachers here and we all hang out. Those teaching here say they love it and most stay on for six years or more. It’s a good place to work. You get to save a lot of money too and travel to other countries in the area. Dubai, Bahrain, Doha are examples of places I want to visit still. I went to Lebanon in November and had a great time. Working in Oman is worth checking out! Mariam M. Oman I am highly into health and fitness, so being in an area of the Gulf with mountains and varied terrain is wonder…