Is it for you?

 

Am I qualified to teach there?

The Education Council in the UAE stipulate that a teacher must hold a bachelor degree, a relevant teaching qualification and have at least two years teaching experience.  In some cases other teaching certificates are accepted in cases where experience is greater.

Do I need a degree? Or would a TEFL certificate be sufficient? Is teaching experience required?

In some cases, i.e. further education colleges in theUAE accept TEFL certifcates, experience may or may not be required depending on the college or nature of the position

Does age matter? Are teaching positions available for both young and older teachers?

The Schools in the UAE do not discriminate against age, they welcome both young talent and experienced mature teachers

Can I teach with my partner?

Schools in the UAE welcome married couples and provide suitable accommodation.  In some instances where there are different campuses within a school, the couple may be split and placed in separate campuses.  This is only the case in some schools and you will be made aware of this.

Do I need to speak the local language?

No…it is good to learn a few key words which are impossible not to pick up.  Some National and all International schools are taught in English and the teachers are encouraged to only speak English to the children.

Do I have to go for a year?

Contracts in the UAE are almost always for two years.  This is because a lot of time and effort goes into work and resident visas. The ministry also insist that details are updated and visas renewed every two years.

How much money does a teacher abroad make? How much can I earn?

A basic teaching salary is around 2000 British pounds a month plus bonuses.  Accommodation, flights, medical insurance and household bills are all covered by the school, in some cases transport to and from school is also covered by the school.

Which English accent is in demand?

As long as the English is clear and grammatically correct, there is no particular accent better than another.

Where will I stay?

An apartment block which is owned and maintained by the school, they will organise everything for you.

Who will I teach?

Depending on your experience and teaching qualification, ranging from Kindergarten age to Adults

Is there a contract? Should I sign a contract?

Yes there will be a contract, read through it carefully and don’t hesitate to ask questions.  The school will insist you sign the contract but this is like any organisation in the world when it comes to employment.

Where do I find the jobs?

When the schools are aware of the need for teachers and in which subject area, they will advertise on this website of postions available, this is usually in January/February time of every year, so there is enough time to arrange recruitment for September intake.

What costs are involved?

Only personal costs, the school organise and cover all costs.  In some schools you have to pay for your childrens’ flights and visas but in relation to your salary, these costs are very manageable.

31 Responses to Is it for you?

  1. Robert says:

    Hi,
    I’m in my mid 40′s and have a 20+ years career in IT behind me. About 15 months ago I got myself TESOL certified and spent 6 months teaching English in Saudi, followed by 6 weeks of ESOL summer school back in the UK.
    I’m now doing a PGCE (with an adult numeracy specialism) which will take me until June 2011.
    After this, I’m thinking of looking for work in the UAE and thought that my TESOL qualification + Middle East experience, together with a PGCE, numeracy and IT knowledge might stand me in good stead for finding work.
    Do you think that there are schools and agencies that would look favourably on this combination of skills and background?

    • Admin says:

      Hi Robert

      Thank you for your comment! Absolutely, your qualifications, skills and especially your experience in the Middle East, are looked upon very favourably by schools and further education providers in the UAE. I realise your PGCE will take until June 2011, but at this stage it is a good time to state your interest in working in the UAE. I would be very interested to hear about your experience in Saudi and would be grateful if you could forward this information and your CV in confidence to ruthharron@teachersinuae.com

      Sincerely

      Ruth Harron

  2. anonymous says:

    hi,

    I am currently a primary school teacher, teaching year 4 in england, i have 3 years of experience teaching national curriculum, doing plans (medium, long term and lesson plans) for all lessons and display as and also differentiating between able and unable students, our school has been visited by ofstead several times and acheived satisfactory to – good in our observations.

    However i do not have any qualifications in teaching except that i have been trained and learned on the job and doing well in everything

    i really want to teach abroad especially in dubai and emirates

    what would u advise me on my case?

  3. Emma Boulton Roe says:

    I will finish my PGCE (in post compulsory education) this summer. I have been working in a Futher Education college teaching Performing Arts for two and a half years. Is there any demand for teachers of that level?

  4. Alan Donald says:

    I am in my 7th year of teaching and about to go through threshold.
    I am currently second in department for science with a proven track record of managing change and improving standards across a whole faculty.
    Is there the opportunity for faculty head positions and if so what is the renumeration for these?
    What are the promotional prospects like within the international schools?
    In addition I have 3 children all of whom would be in primary school from next year (currently 3, 5 and 9). Is their education covered?
    What are the accomodations and the local facilities like?

  5. Alan Donald says:

    Additional information to the above. I am rated as an Outstanding teacher and have experience of coaching staff in addition to leading change.

  6. Alan Donald says:

    Dear Ruth,

    Thank you for the full reply but I am really looking for progression at the moment and I was concerned primarily at the promotional prospects abroad and whether or not there are openings for heads of faculty.

    In terms of the basic requirements they are obviously not an issue as any UK teacher would meet them as with 7 years experience my lack of expertise with the IB etc would not be a problem at all as I am very used to a changing curriculum.

    You mention that 3 dependents are covered for transportation and accommodation but that only 2 will receive free education. Please can you elaborate as to how much it would cost for my third child to receive the same education as the other two?

    The package sounds very generous and I’ve looked at the cost of living online and it seems comparable to the UK (with the exception of cheaper cars and fuel and more expensive pork) but please can you also elaborate more on the standard/size of the apartments. What are their usual fixtures and fittings and will there be easy access to a local pool etc.?

    My real concern is that whilst this is an excellent opportunity and it would be an incredible experience for my family I do not wish to sacrifice my career progression and I really would need to know about the possibility of joining as a head of faculty and what the opportunities are for the future.

    Many thanks,

    Alan Donald

    • Alan Donald says:

      Hi there,

      It has been over 3 months since I posted the above and I was wondering if you had been able to find out the answer to any of my questions yet?

      Many thanks,

      Alan Donald

      • admin says:

        Hi Alan

        Apologies for the delayed response. The school give out details of housing once you are interviewed. They have many different housing establishments which are brand new but I could not predict what they would offer you at this stage. It is on an individual basis, I was, for example in a comfortable one bed apartment. The apartments are frunished to a good standard, Tvs, kettles, toasters etc are your responsibility.

        Pool wise, I joined the Hiltonia Beach Club, which was around 1,200 pounds a year, they do have family rates however the golf club is a popular place to join for swimming and is relatively inexpensive.

        I am unaware of how much it will cost for your third child’s school fees. I will send a request to the school to find this out.

        It would really depend on a position available as head of faculty, the possibilities again would be discussed in your interview.

        Apologies again for not picking up on the last comment.

        Kind Regards

        Ruth Harron

  7. Steve says:

    Hi
    My daughter has been offered a teaching post in an Arabic school in Dubai.
    I notice above you say the basic is about £2500 a month however she has been offered £1600, also been told that If she leaves within two years she will have to pay back all expences and wages.
    Any advice would be helpfully.
    Thanks

  8. NAGINA says:

    Hi
    I would like to know if i will be able to teach in UEA with threeyears experience in teaching primary school as teaching assistant . I have also got four years experience teaching in further education as a lec in businesss tudies I have PG certificate as i didnt complete whole of pgce due to family commitment.

    I also have three children

  9. Alan Donald says:

    Thank you for that. Sorry I didn’t reply before but email was down at school.

    That was very helpful and informative.

    Alan

  10. Tumeka dembry says:

    Dear Ruth,
    I am interested in teaching abroad, particulary in the UAE. I have 11 years of elementary teaching experience. I hold a masters degree in Education Management, a Bachelors in Child Develpoment and a 2nd Bachelors in Family and consumer Sciences. I am a driven educator that have a passion for teaching children. I am looking for a placement for August 2012. How can I take a proactive role in ensuring I get an interview and placement with a recruitung agency?
    Thanks!

  11. ihi

    My self syed mohd ali and I am graduate from India. Osmania University. and I passed DIPLOMA IN EDUCATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF A. P . INDIA. and i have 3 years of experience teaching national curriculum, doing plans (medium, long term and lesson plans) for all lessons and display as and also differentiating between able and unable students, now, i am in uae and i want to join any school. I really would need to know about the possibility of joining,and Is there any demand for teachers of that level?

    Thanking you

  12. Qiana Gray says:

    I question the strictness of schools in UAE when it comes to qualifications. I am not teacher certified in my state – however, I am TEFL certified 140hrs, have a BA in Communications: Focus in Culture, been teaching 7 years, 2.5yrs have been overseas – Kinder, Elementary, Business, One-on-One, and I am certified to teach pre-school in America. Do I have even a glimpse of a chance to be considered for a teaching position?

    • Admin says:

      Dear Qiana..thank you for your post. Unfortunately the organisation in which I work with does require a teaching certificate in the specialised field. There aybe be other opportunities for you in further education colleges there. Please have a look.

      Best Wishes

      Ruth

  13. Mrs J says:

    Hi there, I am currently living in Abu Dhabi and starting an online degree through a British university hoping to finish the one I started before relocating here, After completing this I was looking at starting an online PGCE… however this is without QTS , so does this mean I would not be able to find a teaching job out here in Abu Dhabi without Qualified Teaching Status?

    • Admin says:

      Hi Jinette! Thanks for getting in touch. I hope this helps… there is a PGCE course in Dubai, one day a week which is accredited by Nottingham university. They cannot give QTS unless you spend 6 months in an agreeable school in the UK. This would probably be the same in the case of your on-line PGCE. However it is completely at the school’s discretion as to whether or not they insist teachers have QTS, in terms of schools in the Emirates. If you were applying to a British curriculum school, then yes it would be necessary but other curriculums, QTS may not be required as it is a British requirement.

      Please get in touch with any further questions

      Best Wishes

      Ruth

  14. tanzeel says:

    Hi I am tanzeel.i have 7 years of teaching experience of secondary and higher secondary classes in Pakistan now i am looking to move UAE.i have done my master in physics.is through this qualification and experience i can get teaching position in UAE.

  15. tanzeel says:

    Hi I am tanzeel.i have 7 years of teaching experience of secondary and higher secondary classes in Pakistan now i am looking to move UAE.i have done my master in physics.is through this qualification and experience i can get teaching position in UAE.

  16. Jo says:

    Hi,

    I am really keen on making the move to Abu Dhabi for the year starting Sept 2012.
    I have 2 years post PGCE experience teaching Psychology at GCSE and AS/A2 level and Religious Education. My PGCE is Secondary with RE and because of this I have been told by a recruitment consultant that I will have difficulty getting a visa and work there.
    Can you advise me on this? I have done a lot of research and many schools offer Psychology as an option within their IB programs. Many of the skills taught in Psychology are easily transferable to many other subjects and would be happy to teach another subject if required.

    I would appreciate your advise on this,

    Kind regards
    Jo

    • Admin says:

      Hi Jo

      Thanks for getting in touch, I would be very interested to see your cv for possible teaching positions 2012/13. Please send to ruthharron@teachersinuae.com.

      Kind Regards

      Ruth

      • Leanne Woodward says:

        I am also in a similar situation, the difference being that my degree is Secondary education specialising in Welsh as a second language with QTS. Therefore am no stranger to teaching a language. I have 4 years (post qualification) experience. I am a native English speaker but agencies believe that it could be difficult to obtain a teaching licence. My husband lives and works in Abu Dhabi and I’m currently living there too on a 30 days visitors visa. I’m extremely eager to get back into teaching after 9 months out of the profession, following the birth of my son..I would appreciate your feedback Ruth.

        Kind regards,

        Leanne

  17. Lara Mazzone says:

    Ms. Harron,

    I am currently looking into teaching in the UAE. Does your company recruit for Dubai or solely Abu Dhabi? I have six years experience teaching English in a private boarding school in the U.S.

    Please get back to me.

    Thank you,

    Lara

  18. Patrick Aidan Crawley says:

    I am a qualified teacher B.A. and P.G.C.E. Manchester University. 24 years experience, 12 years primary deputy-head – 2 very good Ofsted reports. How could I fit in to what seems like a fulfilling experience in the U.A.E.

    Regards. P.A.C.

  19. Mandy says:

    Hi

    I have an honours degree in psychology and I am interested in teaching english in Dubai. I do not have teaching experience nor a teaching qualification. Would I be able to teach in Dubai?

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