TEFL jobs in Qatar
A complete guide for TEFL teachers on teaching English in Qatar
Overview
If you are looking for an up-and-coming location to call home, you may want to consider teaching English in Qatar. It is a very wealthy country, thanks to the massive oil industry that it is famous for. A huge draw for a lot of people is the fact that you do not pay tax on your earnings. This is a massive incentive for a lot of people who take the opportunity to save money for the future – although you need to balance this with the fact it is not a cheap place to live.
It is not the easiest place to get working, the application process is notoriously vigorous, and they are always looking for candidates who want to stay for several years. If you only intend to teach English in Qatar for a few months, you may struggle to find a position as this is not what they want. However, in return for your commitment, the remuneration packages are some of the best around.
The good news is that if you have the right qualifications and are prepared to commit to a contract of a few years, you will find there are many vacancies on offer. If you are looking for a dream TEFL destination, then teaching English in Qatar may just be the answer. It has a low crime rate, the government are organised and stable, and the economy just keeps on growing. Living there is a fantastic opportunity for anyone seeking a new adventure.
Types of teaching jobs
Private International Schools
Private international schools service those families that have also moved into Qatar for work and are fee-paying schools, so the parents expect a high standard of education. They have a semi-regulated status, and teaching methods may differ slightly from what you are used to. The positive side of these schools is they tend to offer very comprehensive benefits packages for their teachers.
Language Schools
Language schools tend to have the most diverse student base as they offer lessons to both adults and children. In addition, as the economy grows, more companies are looking to have staff with good English skills, so if you enjoy teaching business English in Qatar, then a language school could be for you. The benefits are not as good as private schools but the working day tends to be shorter, and you have the opportunity to work evenings and weekends if you prefer.
Private Language Lessons
There are options to teach private lessons as an English teacher in Qatar but to comply with the visa requirements; you need to be sponsored and have an employer. This means that working freelance is not an option. You can be deported or imprisoned if you are not working within the visa rules, so it is not worth the risk.
Living costs
Qatar is an expensive place to live, which is one of the reasons you should be looking for an employer who provides accommodation costs as this will make life a lot easier. The catch-22 is that the main cities offer the best opportunities but are the most expensive to live in. However, if you are happy with a short commute and live outside the city, you will save a lot of money. Where accommodation is offered by an employer, it tends to be free use of a furnished apartment, meaning you don’t have to worry about buying furniture either. Public transport is lacking, and there is no metro.
If you need to use the bus, it will cost you around $55/€53 a month. Food is expensive because most things do get important, so you can expect to set aside around 20% of your earnings each month for food shopping. Eating out is pretty similar to most places; you can find budget eateries or spend a fortune in a high-end establishment.
There is plenty to see and do, the sailing clubs are popular, and there is a lot of gym, yoga, pilates, and other keep fit classes on offer. Qatar is a great shopping mecca, and you will also find a lot of cinemas showing international releases in English. If you are looking to have a quiet drink, you have to go to a hotel bar, and it is very expensive, with even a single beer costing $13/€12.
In order to provide the most accurate cost of living figures, we use numbeo.com, the world’s largest cost of living database, updated regularly.
Key facts
Language: Arabic
Population: 3.12 Million
Currency: Qatari Riyal
Capital: Doha
TEFL job demand: High
Our TEFL rating: 3.5
Popular locations for TEFL jobs
Doha, Al Khor, Al Rayyan and Al Khobar
English teacher salaries in Qatar
The salary can be in the region of €2,000-€6,400 each month, depending on the type of role and your experience.
TEFL qualification requirements
At least a 120-hour TEFL qualification
Prerequisite university degree
A degree is required to teach in Qatar
Teaching programmes
Teaching adults or children in private language schools, international schools, vocational colleges, and universities
Age restrictions
Maximum 65
Previous teaching experience
Required for the higher-paid roles.
Key Points
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Got Questions?
Get clear answers about TEFL courses, certification, teaching jobs, and everything in between.
As an English teacher in Qatar, you can expect to earn in the region of €2,000-€6,400 each month, depending on the type of role and your experience. Your salary will be tax-free, but many other costs in the country are taxed.
The living costs in Qatar are expensive but on a par with many other large cities like London, New York and Paris. However, the good thing is that most jobs provide accommodation taking your largest expense off the table.
No, all roles teaching English in Qatar require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certification. It is also favourable to be a citizen of an English-speaking country.