If you are looking to make money teaching English and live in the comforts of modern society, the United Arab Emirates might be your next stop. Nestled in the Middle East, the UAE is an affluent state and the 7th largest oil exporter in the world. There are plenty of business professionals eager to learn English and they will pay good money to do so.The United Arab Emirates is made up of 7 emirates with Dubai at the heart of it all. Not surprisingly, Dubai is generally where the best English teaching jobs can be found. However, there are well paying positions throughout the country.
How much money can I make teaching English? What is the cost of living?
Generally, teachers can expect to make between $3000 to $4000 in the larger cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. University teachers make between $3500 to $5000 per month. Keep in mind that salaries are tax free and most schools provide housing allowances on top of salary, great health care and ample paid vacation time. While Dubai and Abu Dhabi can be expensive, teachers that know how to live reasonably can easily save $25,000 to $35,000 in one year. Many schools also pay for airline tickets and offer generous bonuses upon completion of two or three-year contracts.
The cost of living in the UAE is on par with any affluent country. Expect to pay back home prices or even more for everything. A one bedroom apartment in the center of Dubai goes for about $1500, but many schools will cover that cost. A meal at a cheap restaurant cost $5 to $11 and expect to pay $20 to $25 at a mid-range establishment. An imported beer can cost $8 at a bar and a cappuccino will set you back $4 or $5. There are also plenty of fun and world class attractions for adults that will take a toll on your wallet. Nevertheless, those who are frugal enough will have an easy time saving money in the UAE and enjoy all the amenities of an ultra-modern society.
What kind of teaching jobs are there? What requirements do I need to Teach English in the United Arab Emirates? How do I get a visa?
Like other countries, there is a wide array of teaching positions in the UAE. If you have a teaching license, it’s possible to work in public schools, which provide generous paid vacation time. Many teachers are placed in the private language institutes of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. You must have a bachelor’s degree and either a TESL, TEFL or CELTA certificate to teach in the UAE. If you want to work at a university, you will need to have at least a master’s degree and something in TESOL, English or linguistics will definitely serve as an advantage.
Unlike some other countries, it is advisable that you do not fly into the UAE on a tourist visa and try to find a company to sponsor a work visa. It is always better to find a job and process your work visa before traveling there. Therefore, you will most likely need to go through a recruiter to get a job in the UAE, but it may be possible to get hired directly by a school as well. Doing a quick Google search on finding a job there should provide all of the information that you need. After you find a school that is willing to hire you, the next process is to have your work visa processed. Plan ahead as the visa process can take up to three months.
There are bound to be plenty of opportunities for teaching English in the United Arab Emirates
