Around the world there are many countries where schools will interview and hire teachers in advance before they leave their home countries. From Asia to Latin America you have options! Take a look at each Country Profile below to learn more, or reference our Country Comparison Chart.
By John Bentley
In many regions, ESL job markets are cyclical and hiring is seasonal. Understanding language school hiring seasons and how ESL job markets work is critical to getting hired as an English teacher in many of the largest ESL job markets around the world.
Home to some of the immense oil wealth, major ports and a booming tourism sector, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a global center of trade, finance & travel. With cities like Dubai & Abu Dhabi offering opulent shopping, world class dining, and some of the world's most stunning architecture, the Emirates have become a major destination for tourists and investors alike. These attractions, along with some of the world's most lucrative salaries and benefits also make the United Arab Emirates one of the most desirable destinations for teaching English abroad.
The UAE is divided into seven emirates, with Dubai being the most populous as well as the most popular, followed by Abu Dhabi. The population of the UAE is around 9.2 million, with over three-fourths of the UAE residents being expatriates. The nation is investing heavily in English language education and offers salaries for English teachers that are among the highest in the world. Combined with its small size, this has made the UAE one of the most competitive job markets in the world for teaching English abroad. In many cases, simply having a TEFL certification does not necessarily qualify you for positions there. This article will break down the full requirements for securing English teaching positions in this region.
Stretching from the western shores of North Africa across the Sahara to the Levant, the Arabian Peninsula and into the heart of Central Asia, the Middle East is a vast and diverse region not only from the standpoint of its cultures and geography, but in terms of the opportunities it offers certified English teachers as well.
In the wealthy Arab nations of the Persian Gulf region, English teachers can command some of the highest salaries and finest benefit packages in the world and must compete in a competitive job market. Often schools in this region of the Middle East will require English teaches to have a Master’s Degree (sometimes in education) and previous teaching experience, on top of their TEFL certification. That's not to say it's impossible for first-time teachers to get a job in this region (especially in Saudi Arabia), but you will need to be persistent, patient and flexible in your job search. Those who qualify for such positions will enjoy some of the highest salaries in the field as pay can range from $2,500 - $6,000 a month, plus free housing and flights to and from the teacher’s home country.
By John Bentley
Do you seek the experience of a lifetime living, exploring, and teaching English in Israel? Are you a native English speaker of Jewish heritage aged 20-35 who wants to make a difference in local communities and the lives of Israeli students? Do you want to boost your resume and professional skill sets? If this describes you, the Masa Israel Teaching Fellows provides year-long opportunities to teach English and volunteer in communities across Israel.
By Ariel Dansky
What is your citizenship?
United States
What city and state are you from?
Epsom, New Hampshire
How old are you?
24
What is your education level and background?
Master's degree or Higher
By Adam Lucente
There are many, many reasons to teach English in the Middle East. You can learn Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew, Kurdish or other languages here. You can gain valuable insights to an oft-misunderstood yet crucial part of the world. You can have adventures that resemble the movies. However, each country in the region offers very different experiences for English teachers. The following are some of the pros and cons I’ve determined from my time living, working, and teaching in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia.
By: Adam Lucente
The Middle East can seem exciting yet daunting if you’ve never been there, but are heading over to teach. Here are some tips to help adjust to life in the region:
By: Adam Lucente
People often ask those of us who teach in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq “why Iraq?”. There is a lot to love about teaching English here, and throughout the Middle East, that you may not expect from the headlines. Here are ten:
