Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Still Longing

My work as a Teacher in Oman ended last July 13, 2012. It has been seven fruitful years and perhaps one of the most enjoyable chapters of my life. Being a teacher in Oman is not easy at the beginning. It was a challenge for me to teach students whose level of English can be classified as intermediate or even lower. But it was always fun to teach Omani students. I embraced the culture and I learned reading and writing Arabic language and I have high respect for my students. My students were hard working (although sometimes they copied their assignments from one another) and most of my students were respectful. As my students knew that I have a Filipino background, they tried to disrespect at the beginning but when classes started and I taught them the course on a fast pace and give then challenging exercises, they knew then that Filipino teachers can be respected.

There were challenges I faced in my first job but I had proven to my detractors that I was better than them. I became a Section Head of Computer Section and after that I was the Department Registrar for three years before I left. I was given an Outstanding Teacher Award and all I can say is that in spite of my credibility of giving challenges to students yet, I was still appreciated by them. I became their adviser, helper, brother, counsellor, and even career adviser. As a teacher, I listened to their own personal problems. I even cried in front of the class showing my emotions when three of my students died in a car accident. I was invited to sit down with their parents and attended weddings of their brothers or sisters (although we cannot see the ladies). I travelled some parts of Oman and I have seen beautiful and magnificent places. I jogged and biked in the Corniche of Sohar and volunteered in the 2010 Asian Beach Games in Muscat. I owned a car and have my own apartment but later on I shared it with three other teachers.

I will and never will forget my stay in Oman. It was a wonderful place and I hope someday I will come back and teach Omani students again. 

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Preparing to go Back

"Really? Are you sure?" These are the surprise questions the people I met here in Canada are asking me whenever I tell them that I am preparing to go back to Oman.

At present, I attended a program from the Toronto Catholic District School Board for Enhanced Language Training for Internationally trained ESL Instructors. ESL. I am not and never was I an ESL Instructor. So, what am I doing in the program? The Program Coordinator interviewed me before I was accepted in the program and asked me "Why do you want to attend this program?" I answered that I want to have other options in looking for a job here in Canada. Since I have been teaching for more than 10 years (not ESL), I am thinking to change my career. But in reality, my plan is to go back to Oman and teach English language. ESL teachers in Oman receives higher salary than specialization teachers. So it's a good start for me. My next move is to study courses for certification for TESL Canada. Perhaps after my certification, I can apply at SQU? I will ask Ate Alma.

So good luck to me. This is another journey in spite of having trouble at the beginning adapting and integrating myself here in Canada I guess I am going to like it here for a while...