Oman only opened up to tourism and all-around foreign interest in the 1970s, so the country’s facilities and infrastructure – from its roads down to its public schools – are relatively new. This puts English teachers in a unique position to get to know this relatively untapped culture.

Highlights of Oman are primarily located in Muscat, the Middle Eastern country’s historic capital. Together with its neighbor, Mutrah, this area is bursting with historic appeal. Sites include ancient forts that date to the early days of Portuguese colonization as well as open-air fish markets, heritage houses and opulent mosques.
Oman also has Bahla, a desert oasis and UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for the seven-mile walls that hem in its fort. Teachers with access to transportation can enjoy scenic drives in the desert, with mountains and soaring sand dunes in the distance. Oman also has countless mile of Arabian coastline.  

As with neighboring countries, there’s a general ban on alcohol, but the nightlife lives on in a few hotel clubs and restaurants with special licenses. Of course, the premium associated with places like this takes its toll on a teacher’s salary, so a Friday night out is something of a luxury.  

There’s a pronounced shortage of English teachers in Oman, so schools go out of their way to offer attractive compensation packages. Outright living quarters or a monthly housing stipend are almost universally offered.

Intercity buses connect Muscat with regional capitals including Nizwa, Sohar, Salalah and Sur. Within a given city, public buses are available, but most Westerners rely on taxis or secure their own vehicle.

Oman holds a lot of intrigue for Western visitors since it was off limits for so long. It especially attracts Western men, as the culture at large doesn’t place as much pressure to conform to society standards as it does on women. All the same, excellent opportunities exist for all.

Securing a visa and work permit is difficult, but employers generally take care of the details. This means schools are less concerned with a prospective teacher’s credentials or experience and more concerned with their ability to qualify for the visa.
Private schools often teach exclusively in English, so English-speaking teachers are in high demand here. Outright language schools are also likely places for Westerners to be hired. Schools in both categories are found in all major cities including Muscat (population: 1.1 million), Nizwa (732,000) and Ibri (97,000).

Oman Links

• Go to Oman forums
• Go to Oman photo gallery
• Google search for Oman
• Oman wikipedia entry