Teaching English in the Middle East

Schools in Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and other Middle Eastern nations all seek certified English teachers. In many Arab nations, university classes are taught in English and the region’s location at the crossroads of East and West has made cities like Dubai major hubs of commerce and leisure where English is often the norm. In the wealthy Gulf states, in particular, most positions are offered to experienced teachers with bachelors’ or masters’ degrees in education, in addition to a TEFL certification.

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. To learn more about salaries, please read What Are Salaries for English Teachers in the Middle East?

Jobs are somewhat easier to come by for those with just a four-year degree (or even less) and a TEFL/TESOL Certification in Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, and Turkey, where the pay is considerably lower, but the cost of living is low and the opportunities for immersion in one the world’s great regions for culture and history are innumerable.

Some points about teaching English abroad in the Middle East:

The vast majority of positions in the Gulf Countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman) are obtained through interviews in advance.
Teachers should expect to adhere to local cultural norms, which can vary dramatically from what you may be used to in the West. Within the region, restrictions on personal freedoms like style of dress and the right to consume alcohol can vary widely from country to country, or even from region to region within a particular country.
The presence of large expatriate communities, where teachers can socialize with other westerners makes the transition for newcomers to the region much easier.
Looking for more insights into teaching English in the Middle East? Check out our Alumni Stories - Teaching English in the Middle East & our Middle East Articles & FAQs.

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Middle East Country Profiles

Alumni Stories:
Teaching English in the Middle East

"I think most foreigners find Jordanian society relatively easy to live in. People are friendly. In terms of Arabic countries, I find people are happy to help foreigners learn Arabic here." - Adam Lucente

"I am a highly into fitness, so being in an area of the Gulf with mountains and varied terrain is wonderful. There's plenty of hiking and camping to be done and a wealth of cities to travel to in Oman." - Edward Young

"I get paid roughly 19.5 Tunisian Dinar an hour which is the normal rate for a new teacher. Although this amount isn't a lot in US dollars, it is more than enough to live quite comfortably here in Tunisia." - Erin Gold

TEFL Certification Options for Teaching English in the Middle East

Hiring standard for teaching English in the Middle East can be high, but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and a key qualification you need to get hired. All International TEFL Academy TEFL students receive lifetime worldwide Job Search Guidance. Here are recommended options:

How Can We Help You Teach English in the Middle East?

Based in Chicago, IL, International TEFL Academy is a World leader in TEFL certification for teaching English abroad. We offer internationally accredited TEFL Classes online & in 25 locations worldwide. We certify 5,000 people a year from all walks of life to teach English abroad and our graduates are teaching English in 80 countries across the globe. All ITA students and graduates receive lifetime worldwide Job Search Guidance.