TEFL jobs in Dubai
A complete guide for TEFL teachers on teaching English in Dubai
Overview
Would you like to teach English in Dubai? The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an ideal choice for experienced teachers in various fields because of its cosmopolitan society, favourable environment, and high tax-free income with good benefits. Founded in 1971, the UAE has since grown to become a global financial, commercial, and travel powerhouse. It is a diverse country with substantial desert plains, tranquil white beaches, artificial islands, and contemporary skyscrapers.
The UAE is an excellent place to visit if you enjoy cosmopolitan surroundings. You’ll see a variety of faces in your classroom and your personal life, thanks to a mix of local ethnic groups and a growing ex-pat population. One of the most well-known aspects of TEFL jobs in the UAE is the income — the cost of living is high, but so is your pay, and with added perks like free lodging and return flights, it’s simple to save money while teaching Dubai.
Types of teaching jobs
International Schools
Experienced and licensed teachers are most suited for teaching jobs in Dhabi in international schools. These schools follow a foreign educational system’s curriculum, such as the British or American systems.
As previously stated, English is not the only subject available in such institutions, as teachers in a variety of disciplines are needed. Furthermore, due to the diverse nationalities represented among UAE ex-pats, English is not the primary language of instruction at all private international schools. Therefore, whether you are a native speaker or fluent in a language other than English, you should see if there are any international schools in the UAE that provide classes in your original tongue.
Public Schools
In recent years, the UAE’s public education system has concentrated on a systematic makeover, with initiatives to enhance standards. This means that many foreign ESL teachers have been—and will continue to be—needed to meet Emirati students’ English-language needs. Dubai English teaching jobs in public schools are usually the best paid and come with the best benefits of all the options.
Vocational Colleges
TEFL Dubai teachers, as well as teachers of other practical disciplines like business, aviation, and engineering, are needed at vocational colleges for Emirati students. In addition, because the UAE government has made a deliberate effort in recent years to place more Emirati residents in high-level positions in the workforce, vocational institutes require highly-trained foreign teachers to train the future Emirati workforce.
Foreign Language Schools
Teachers with extensive ESL expertise would be ideal to teach English in Dubai to Emirati students at a foreign language school. Students include adults as well as younger students who are applying to universities. International language-school chains, as well as local chains and independent schools, can be found throughout the UAE. Moreover, language schools are not limited to English only, as members of the UAE’s heterogeneous population are interested in studying other languages as well.
Private Tutoring
In the United Arab Emirates, private tutoring is a little different. Because the UAE’s royal family is huge and extended, and they are among the world’s wealthiest individuals, you might be asked to educate royalty! Private employment firms occasionally seek English tutors for the UAE’s elite families, as well as ordinary Emirati nationals making this an amazing way to teach English in Dubai.
Living costs
Although the UAE is more expensive than 70% of other Middle Eastern countries, you might be shocked to learn that it is only more expensive than 66% of other countries. This merely goes to demonstrate that places with extremely high earnings do not always have an equally high cost of living, as is the case in the UAE. Aside from the higher pay you’ll earn as a TEFL teacher in the UAE, free living, often in beautiful apartment complexes with amenities like a swimming pool, sauna room, gym, and other sports facilities, will make your salary even more appealing.
Housing in the UAE may be expensive, especially if you live somewhere fancy, and there’s a vast difference between cheaper homes and more opulent living. Having free accommodation would be a huge plus. Many English teacher jobs in Dubai have additional benefits like return flights, and most schools offer lengthier contracts, so you won’t have to relocate every few years.
Cost of living prices taken from Numbeo is the world’s largest up to date quality of life global database.
Key facts
Language: Arabic
Population: 11.35 Million
Currency: UAE dirham
Capital: Abu Dhabi
TEFL job demand: High
Our TEFL rating: 3.8
Popular locations for TEFL jobs
Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
The average salary for EFL teachers
The basic monthly salary for full-time positions is likely to be in the region of 8,000–15,000 dirhams (€2088–€2,850) per month. The best-paid jobs will boast salaries closer to 22,000 dirhams (€5695) per month.
TEFL qualification requirements
A 180 Hour Level 5 TEFL qualification will be required for most positions, if not a CELTA
Prerequisite university degree
You’ll need a degree, and many positions also require an MA in a related field. You cannot teach English in Dubai without a degree.
Term times
September until July
Teaching programmes
Public School, Private Schools, Language Schools, International Schools, Bilingual Kindergartens, Freelance, IELTS, IB, Business English
Age restrictions
Under 55
Previous teaching experience
Three to five years of previous experience is a usual requirement
Key Points
Award-Winning Online Courses & Diplomas
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Got Questions?
Get clear answers about TEFL courses, certification, teaching jobs, and everything in between.
No, that is not the case. Most schools in Dubai prefer teachers who have at least a bachelor’s degree, while some prefer teachers who have a bachelor’s degree in the subject they would be teaching. A teaching licence, TEFL certificate, and/or teaching experience are also required.
The UAE Ministry of Education establishes the standards for a bachelor’s degree and teaching certificates in order to meet the visa requirements for teaching jobs. Therefore it is highly suggested that you obtain a TESOL, CELTA, or TEFL qualification before applying for teaching positions in the UAE.
Most schools in Dubai want teachers with prior teaching experience. However, without a degree, you can teach international families or provide private tuition to professionals who want to improve their English language skills for career success.
More possibilities to teach English are available for teachers with or without professional experience, thanks to the region’s developing tourism and hospitality businesses, which demand knowledge of the English language.
One of the highest paying countries for English teachers is the United Arab Emirates. Your monthly payment might range from €2,274 to €5,210 per month, depending on your qualifications, experience, and teaching institution.
While the cost of living in the UAE fluctuates depending on the emirate, overall, the cost is high.