Teaching in the UAE: A Guide to Landing Your Dream Job in Dubai

The United Arab Emirates is one of the richest and most popular Muslim countries today. People dream of coming here not only for tourist purposes but also to get a high-paying job. Layboard.in got statistics that 70% of the country’s population are expats working in the Emirates under contract.

The secondary education system in the UAE is represented by public and private schools. Education in general schools is conducted in Arabic, so most foreign students do not choose these schools. In addition, in public schools, students are divided into single-sex classes, while in private schools, mixed education is usually practiced (either for the entire period or up to a certain grade). In 2018, the Ministry of Education allowed mixed-gender classes, but only in public primary schools (grades 1-4).

There are the criteria by which educational institutions are evaluated:

• Student performance in core subjects.
• Assessments.
• Effectiveness of the education and management system.
• The ratio of cost and quality of education.
• Compliance with UAE education standards and stated programs.

What curricula are available in UAE schools?

According to the WAM news agency, schools that have the British curriculum (GCSE, A-Level) are the most popular in Dubai, with 36% of pupils choosing this curriculum.

The second most popular curriculum is the Indian curriculum (26%), followed by the American curriculum (15%). The International Baccalaureate (IB) is chosen by 7% of students, and the mixed UK/IB is chosen by 4%.

The IB (International Baccalaureate) is often considered a “universal standard” of education and is very convenient for those who are likely to move to other countries.

The remaining 12% of students choose schools with French, Australian, German, Canadian, Filipino, Japanese, Iranian, SABIS, and other programs.

The United Arab Emirates has become one of the most sought-after places to study abroad. Coaching jobs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi can range from introducing ESL in language academies to licensed work with all subjects in general or private schools.

For many institutions, contracts are for 2-3 years and they are paid a salary per month for the year worked. Contracts may also include housing, flights, health insurance, and education advantages for dependents. Thanks to these provisions, a lot of teachers can save a significant part of their salary while in the UAE.

Depending on whether you work in a language school, vocational school, private international school, or public school, you can expect to earn between $2,400 and $5,500 a month, as a teacher in the UAE Salary is generally tax-free, and teachers often receive fringe benefits such as insurance and housing on top of that salary.

Where you teach will depend on your qualifications. For teachers with ESL teaching experience, there are opportunities at language schools or professional colleges. Licensed teachers can look at openings in private or international schools as well as in the public school system. With the proliferation of professional colleges and high schools, teachers with other types of experience can find teaching jobs, such as business, aviation, or technical drawings.

Language schools in the UAE

Here are more specifics about how much you can earn as an ESL teacher in the UAE. The average salary for ESL teachers in language schools in the UAE is around AED 12,300-20,400 per month ($3,300-$5,500). Salaries are set by the institution and will vary from school to school depending on the experience and qualifications of the teacher.

Additional benefits may include housing allowances, while airfare and bonuses will vary from school to school.

Although language schools in the UAE are not as common as in other countries, this is an opportunity for TEFL-certified teachers. You will see well-known language school chains represented in the Emirates, as well as local language schools and networks of unique schools, for the Gulf region.

• Types of students: Adult students working to improve their English; Younger students taking lessons after school to improve their English. 
• Teaching Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree; TEFL Certification; Teaching Experience.
• Working hours: schedule will depend on your students; Adult classes are usually in the evenings and weekends, while you can meet with younger students in the morning or afternoon.

People often choose several strategies to find a job. 1 way is to look for a job in the emirates remotely. In this case, you need to make a resume in English, draw it up nicely, and send it to the vacancies. If you are a good fit for an open position, an HR manager will contact you by email or phone. Typically, the first interview is by phone or Skype. If you are successful in the interview, you will be granted a work visa. In the beginning, it will be an entry permit. Sometimes lodging and meals are provided, but this is rare.

Method 2 – go to the UAE and find a job on the spot. You can go to the Emirates on a tourist visa or a 90-day visit visa. In this case, you can find a job faster, as you will have an advantage, you can instantly come to the interview and the employer will be able to talk to you in person. To implement this method, you need to have money, because living in Dubai is not cheap and at first it can take a lot of money. Also have to deal with everyday issues: rent, transportation costs, food, etc. So it’s better to go to the Emirates prepared, to agree in advance about the planned interviews, and to develop a strategy – how exactly you will look for work. Will it be just sending out a resume over the Internet, or are you also planning to make cold calls and visits to the offices? Each person will have their job search strategy.

Some basic tips for those who want to learn more about the UAE or move to this country:

• Be prepared for changes. The mentality here is noticeably different and you need to understand this.
• You need to work hard and diligently – you can’t go anywhere without it.
• And the most important thing is not to be afraid of the changes. If you want to move here for any reason, look for a job and go for your dream!