The Middle East has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing regions for English language teachers in recent years. Teaching English in the Middle East offers several benefits that have made it a popular choice for educators, in addition to the breathtaking blend of ancient civilizations and modern metropolises.
Kuwait
It’s possible that not all Middle Eastern tourists choose Kuwait as their destination. Nonetheless, teaching in Kuwait offers you the chance to experience everything that this undiscovered jewel in the middle of nowhere has to offer. The country is home to little over four million people spread across a comparatively tiny area of 6,880 square miles.
Arabic proficiency is not as strictly required as one might think, and Kuwaitis are among the friendliest and most enthusiastic learners in the world.
Two of the most popular places in Kuwait for TEFL instruction are the coastal commercial city of Salmiya and the capital city of Jahra, Al Kuwait. Most positions at language centers, where candidates will be able to instruct pupils of all ages with different levels of language ability, pay between 800 and 1,200 Kuwaiti dinars ($2,600 and $4,000) per month. To improve your chances of finding a job, use job search websites like Layboard.
Qatar
Education City, a thriving hub of universities and other higher education establishments in Doha, the capital of Qatar, has contributed to the nation’s reputation as one of the greatest educational destinations in the Middle East. The region is home to numerous American and foreign universities, and English is the language of cross-cultural contact by default. Most likely, you will concur with us when we state that this is the most exciting time to teach English in Qatar if you’ve been following along thus far.
One of the most lucrative places for TEFL teachers to work overseas is Qatar, which places a significant emphasis on education and technology. Typical monthly salaries fall between QR 9,400 and QR 22,000 ($2,600 and $6,000), with extra perks such paid time off, health insurance, and housing allowance.
Since 92% of Qatar’s population resides inside Doha’s boundaries and about 85% of them are foreigners, this cultural melting pot is the ideal location for meeting new people and experiencing a completely different way of life.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia needs to be on your list of places to teach English overseas if you want to earn and save money doing so. In an attempt to raise their pupils’ competency in the topic or any other subject in their curriculum, many institutions are frantic to entice native English speakers into their classes by providing paid airfare, lodging, and health insurance.
The majority of teachers receive between 9,000 and 18,000 Saudi riyals ($2,500 and $5,000) a month, which is highly competitive for the business. Saudi Arabia continues to welcome new nationalities to its borders, and expatriate villages that offer a more laid-back atmosphere have started to appear, even though some may recall the country’s more conservative approach if they decide to teach English here. You can locate a job that suits your requirements and expedite your Saudi Arabian job search with https://layboard.in/.
Bahrain
You might think about teaching English in Bahrain, its neighbor to the northeast, if you want something more westernized.
The average monthly remuneration for teaching in Bahrain is between 900 and 1800 BHD ($2400 and $4800), which only goes to show how much the kingdom values raising English proficiency across the nation. Teaching in Bahrain offers a wide range of options due to the country’s growing international involvement, whether it be through business or tourism.
Although teaching in colleges and language institutions is a common option, business people who want to get better at the English language can also choose private tutoring.
Legal requirements
To continue working in the Middle East, you will require a work visa, although you should anticipate your institution to help arrange this on your behalf. Some countries, such as the UAE, may also impose stricter entry tests, such as blood tests for HIV and TB, before you can get full authorization to work in the country. Because there are so many schools in Dubai, teaching there is typically the most popular option for educators in all subject areas, standards of education and salary/benefit packages on offer.
Teaching Requirements
The requirements for teaching in the Middle East are quite similar: teachers need to have a combination of specialist degrees and to be eligible, one must have appropriate experience and TEFL (English teaching certifications). Additionally, you should know when it’s best to apply for jobs.
For example, the school year in Saudi Arabia starts in August and finishes in June, prior to the summer vacation begins. Recruitment typically begins during the vacations, although opportunities also often arise throughout the calendar year, learn more about Saudi Arabian teaching.
Expectations at school
The British curriculum has been embraced by numerous Middle Eastern schools, including aim to achieve the same educational standards. This means that working structures are also very comparable, which facilitates the transfer of your lifestyle. Numerous countries are oil rich and as a result there is increased investment in education systems. The UAE is the highest performing nation in the area in important topics like mathematics, reading and science and is aiming to be in the top 20 in the world rankings by 2022.
Under Sharia (Islamic) law, the majority of Middle Eastern nations have stringent dress codes. This calls for modest attire, with women expected to cover their upper arms and legs. It’s possible that stricter rules in other nations or educational institutions. Because the Middle East has a strong tradition of respecting elders, children are more likely to be obedient and follow their teachers’ lead. For instance, when the teacher formally addresses the class in Egypt, the students are expected to stand up.
Life and lifestyle
The near proximity of all the countries makes it easy to travel around the region and get useful new job experience, regardless of the country you choose to work in. You may easily travel between places like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan to explore and learn more, whether on a contract or during breaks from school. Members of the LGBTQ+ community should be aware that homosexuality is forbidden in many countries due to Islamic laws, so it is advisable to take this into consideration before applying.