Everything You Need To Know About Teaching English In The United Arab Emirates

If you have an official teaching license, along with other strong qualifications and experience, you may be able to work in a private international school. The school curriculum in these types of institutions is similar to that of the UK or the USA and students are generally from all over the world. In most cases, the main language used in private international schools will be English. However, there are some schools that will use another primary language – so if you speak any other languages, it may be worth putting it on your CV or cover letter.

Technically there are no minimum requirements to teach English in the UAE. However, jobs in the country often offer great benefits and finding work here is extremely competitive. So, a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (potentially in Education or the subject you’ll be teaching), a TEFL certificate and at least two years’ experience are usually requested by employers. Some institutions may even request a Master’s degree or a teaching license. However, if you have a particularly strong CV and lots of experience, you may be able to find work without these qualifications. That being said, the UAE is definitely not the place to start as a new teacher.

The work visa for the UAE is not too difficult to acquire once you have a job offer from an employer. It usually involves providing proof of your passport and qualifications, the latter of which will need to be certified by your local UAE consulate or embassy. You may also need to undergo a health check and in some cases a criminal record check.

You’ll need to start planning for your visa application well before your job start date as it can take 4-12 weeks to receive it. In some instances, you may not receive your work visa until you enter the UAE. Most TEFL employers will sponsor your work visa and walk you through the process though, so you should know exactly how and when you will receive your visa ahead of time.

One of the biggest challenges of working in the UAE is initially finding work. As there’s a lot of competition for work, you may need to apply and interview multiple times. Depending on your qualifications and experience, you might have to be quite flexible about finding work.

The local customs in the UAE are quite different to the rest of the world. There are many things that are illegal here that might not be illegal in your home country. For example, swearing or making rude gestures can result in jail time. You can also be arrested for public displays of affection and sex outside of wedlock is illegal. You may need to dress more modestly than you would at home, making sure the tops of your arms and legs are covered, and there are some places that you will not be able to drink alcohol. Keep in mind, there are additional laws in place during the holy month of Ramadan – so make sure to do your research on this before you go to the UAE.

Something to bear in mind is that LGBT rights are suppressed in the UAE, and homosexual relationships and sexual acts are illegal. The punishments for being caught can be extremely harsh – so do think carefully about teaching in the UAE if you are an LGBT person.

The cost of living varies from emirate to emirate in the UAE. A single person will spend about $2,300 per month living in Abu Dhabi, including accommodation, whereas living in Sharjah will cost closer to $1,500 per month. Dubai is the most expensive option in the UAE, costing closer to $2,700 per month to live – and that’s not factoring in a selection of luxurious and pricey entertainment! Here, a coffee costs about $5, a beer is $11, and a monthly gym membership is $80+.

It can cost much more than the prices we’ve given to live in the UAE if you choose to splash out on a nice apartment and lots of luxurious entertainment. However, it’s worth noting that most EFL teacher positions in the UAE offer a number of great benefits that significantly cut down the cost of living. So, it’s definitely worth seeking out positions with great benefits!

The United Arab Emirates is made up of seven nations known as ‘emirates’; Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. Together, they make up one of the youngest nations in the world, having only formed in 1971.

Much of the area is made of dessert with small pockets of 21st century metropolises, green islands and sandy beaches between. The UAE is often referred to as ‘a millionaire’s playground’ with plenty of luxurious, expensive entertainment on offer, but there are also strict customs and traditions in place, including Sharia (Islamic) Law.

The UAE was historically made up of small tribal communities but over time gained residents from all over Arabia and was part of the British Empire until the early 70s. As a result, the nation has a diverse population and varied cultures. Though many locals will actually proudly refer to themselves as part of their ancestral tribe rather than as Emirati.

Traditional local architecture and folk arts have been influenced by Persian culture, using basic building materials and simple, block-like structures. Whereas local mosques boast some of the most elaborate and ornate architecture in the country, with impressive domes, arches and minarets. And the modern architecture here is unconventional and innovative, especially in Dubai which is home to sail-shaped Burj Al Arab.

Arabic is the official language in the UAE but Bengali, Chinese, Hindi and Persian are all widely spoken across the UAE. Most locals are Muslim and the UAE is ruled by Sharia Law. Family and respect for elders is important in the Emirati culture, and dining is an important part of both social and business affairs. It’s important to dress modestly while you’re in the UAE and avoid any public displays of affection with the opposite sex. Locals tend to give long, firm handshakes and consider it to be polite to turn up 15 minutes late to events!

As a general rule, Emirati cuisine is warm, hearty and full of lots of flavour and has strong influences from the Middle East and Asia. There are lots of one-pot dishes and common ingredients include rice, fish, meat and dairy. The spices used in many dishes are cardamom, coriander, ginger, nutmeg and pepper. In fact, the UAE has a famous spice mix called bzar which includes these ingredients and more.

A few favourite dishes in the UAE are khuzi – the UAE’s national dish which includes rice, vegetable, nuts and roasted lamb or mutton, balaleat – a breakfast dish made with vermicelli, eggs and a sprinkle of pistachios, and al harees – a porridge-like dish with chunks of tender meat, usually lamb, chicken or mutton. There are also a few popular dishes you will likely already have heard of, such as shawarma, falafel and tabbouleh. And there are some that you’ve probably never even dreamed of, like stuffed camel – yes, really! – though generally you will only see this at very special occasions.

A one-bedroom apartment in the UAE can cost anywhere from $400-$2,200 per month. An apartment in the centre of Sharjah generally costs about $750 per month whereas an apartment in the centre of Dubai costs about $1,700 per month. Fortunately, in most cases you can expect your accommodation to be covered by your employer. The standard of accommodation in the UAE is usually high, with lots of places offering a shared pool or a rooftop terrace.

The UAE has a desert climate with extremely hot, sunny summers, reaching up to 42°C in August in Dubai. The winters are cooler but still warm, dropping only to 15°C in Dubai in January. There is very little rain, though there may be a very rare downpour. Some parts of the country, like Abu Dhabi, only have two seasons, the ‘hot season’ and the ‘cooler season’. Most places have air conditioning though, so you can generally expect to be quite comfortable wherever you live, teach and visit.

Please note: The information in this guide is accurate as of the time of writing. However, the laws and requirements to teach abroad can often change. Make sure to check the latest advice from the local authority of the country you plan to work in.