Monthly Archives: February 2023

Oman Revisited

The Sultanate of Oman

More Than English founders David & Claire were teachers at the British Council in Oman between 2006 and 2008. 15 years later, they’re back…!

Quick facts about Oman

  • The most important thing to know about Oman is that when you arrive you’ll receive a warm welcome. More on that later. 
  • Oman is ruled by the royal family.
  • The country is greener than you might think. In fact, Salalah in the south has green hills and cows.
Reunion between David & Claire with former colleagues Tariq and Mahmoud at The British Council

A  very personal journey

Between 2006 and 2008, More Than English founders David and Claire were teachers at the British Council in Muscat. Teaching hundreds of students and going on trips into the countryside at the weekends, they came to love the country, the landscape and most of all, the warmth and generosity of the people.

2008 was quite a long time ago: 15 years ago the iphone was a new gadget and people were not as connected as they are now. Sadly, David and Claire lost touch with their colleagues at the British Council.

A heartwarming reunion

However, this month, February 2023, David and Claire knocked on the door of the British Council where they used to teach English, They felt a little nervous and wondered if anyone would recognise them. They need not have worried: four old colleagues were there on that very day.

Reunion between David & Claire with former colleagues Nasser, Mohammed, Mahmoud and Tariq at The British Council

Meeting our old colleagues was an incredibly heartwarming experience and later in the week we met some of the old teachers who until recently had been working at the British Council teaching centre also.

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos

If you ever go to Oman, you will quickly understand the word “Sultanate”.

When His Majesty Sultan Qaboos acceded to the throne in 1970, Oman was very undeveloped with few roads, no real education system and a tiny economy. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos was revered by the people of Oman because he transformed the country developing the economy and infrastructure plus the education and health systems.

His Majesty Sultan of Qaboos: beloved leader of Oman from 1970 until 2020

In Western countries there is a generally held belief that democracy is the only correct form of government. However, Sultan Qaboos provided a masterclass in an alternative form of government that was very stable and which worked in the interests of the people.

On his death in 2020, his Majesty Sultan Qaboos was succeeded by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and the people say that the new leader is walking in the same footsteps as his revered predecessor.

Education agents Mohammed Luqman and Usama Salim plus Paul Gallina from Southbourne School of English and Claire Norwood from More Than English

Old acquaintances & New friends

Visiting Oman was an opportunity to spend time with old friends such as  education advisers Kate Clarke and Majid Al Ghusaini plus Khalil Al Balushi from the Ministry of Education.

It was also an opportunity to meet other education leaders including education agents Mohammed Luqman, Usama Salim, associate professor Dr Ahmad Hosseini and, from the Ministry of Education, Amira and Salim Al Kharousi.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to Andy and Geraldine Buckland from Gulf English for inspiring our visit and organising a fantastic weekend of events and meetings. Special thanks also to Dr Ahmad Hosseini fpr a wonderful afternoon and to Khalil Al Balushi fpr everything he did for David and Claire including taking them at the weekend through epic desert scenery to Rustaq Castle where they also visited the ancient home of Zakiya.

Respecting the past

Zakiya Al Lamki is famous in Rustaq for renovating the 300 year old family home which she had lived in when she was a girl but which had been unhabited for 28 years. Her work preserving this historic building provides the perfect example of how his Majesty Sultan Qaboos guided the people of Oman to develop the country while preserving its rich heritage and character.

Welcome Omani students to England

Teenagers from 20+ country come together at More Than English every summer. This year, we hope to welcome the first Omani students to summer school so that they can introduce the culture and history of this incredible country to the rest of the world. Welcome to Oman! 

Quick facts about Oman

  • Oman has modest reserves of oil which have helped the country’s development and it is set to become a leader in green hydrogen fuel production
  • The best time to visit is December to February when temperatures are a pleasant 25 degrees.
  • Oman is a very cosmopolitan country: a bridge between east and west with people from Oman, Europe and Asia.