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Job opportunities as teachers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates can be rewarding and lucrative. With an ever-growing demand for education throughout the United Arab Emirates (UAE), there is no better time to become a teacher! The current push from the government and private sectors to increase the quality of education in public schools is a sure sign that the need for qualified, licensed teachers will continue to soar.
English is a second language in most Emirates, further increasing the demand for teachers fluent in this language. So if you are wondering how to find a job as a teacher in UAE, read on.
1. What is the difference between public and private schools in the UAE?
Public schools in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates are run by the government, while private schools are run by individuals (including parents) and companies. Public schools receive funding from the UAE government, while private schools rely on tuition students’ parents pay. However, this does not mean that public school teachers are paid poorly. On the contrary, they can earn just as much as their private school counterparts.
2. What are the requirements for teaching in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates?
To teach in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates, you must have a Bachelor of Education degree from a reputed university and a teacher’s license issued by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources. Teachers working in government schools also need a UAE residence visa sponsored by their employer.
Even though you already have a degree, the UAE Ministry of Education requires that all teachers complete a course on Emirati culture and society through an accredited training provider before applying for a UAE residence visa. In addition, to be eligible for a UAE residence visa, you must also pass a medical exam and secure a police certificate showing no criminal record.
3. What is the process for getting a work visa, and what documents does one need to provide?
Teachers sponsored by recognised schools for employment visas usually have their airfare paid both ways, tuition fees paid for their children to attend school, free accommodation and an annual flight allowance. Before applying for a UAE residence visa, you will need to pass a medical exam and secure a police certificate showing no criminal record. In addition, if you are employed in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates with KG Schools, you are eligible for a free return flight to your country of origin every three years.
On average, you can expect the whole process of getting a work visa for teaching in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates to last six weeks, provided you have all the required documentation (passport with valid residency visa and UAE police certificate). But this does not include the time it takes to get a medical exam and secure a police certificate showing no criminal record.
The UAE government usually gives residence visas (iqama) with an initial validity period of two years, after which it is renewable for another two years. Teachers can also apply for their immediate family (spouse and children) to join them in the UAE. However, this will require proof of kinship, such as a birth or marriage certificate.
4. How to find teaching jobs in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates
With thousands of teaching jobs available in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates, one should know the right strategies to find the best openings. Here are some ways by which teachers can find opportunities to work as educators within the UAE:
a) Newspapers & Career Centers
Newspaper ads (both national and local) are an easy way to start job searching. However, many of the open positions advertised are for part-time opportunities or online substitute teaching jobs. Individuals who want to be considered for full-time employment should look beyond just the advertisements placed by school boards. One can go to career centres, teacher placement agencies, or private companies mentioned as educational job recruiters for Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, or other Emirates.
One should choose from a selection of newspapers at a local library and read the classifieds section to find teaching opportunities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirate regions. The advantage of this method is that applicants can often send their CVs to the hiring staff of the school they want to work for, eliminating the time-consuming process of completing applications and waiting for responses.
b) Headhunters/Teacher Recruiters
Headhunters are another way to find teaching jobs in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates. Headhunters (also known as teacher recruiters) work for large and small schools in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates and look for potential candidates to fill open teaching jobs. Their services come at a fee; however, many teachers feel that the extra time it would take to try and find a job on their own is not worth it.
c) Social Networking Sites
One should join social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter to teach in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates. Students often use these sites to ask questions about homework assignments and projects; teachers can use these channels to get the word out about themselves and their availability. Teachers can create profiles that state their teaching experience, specialities, areas of expertise, and the subjects they are qualified to teach. By joining sites where teachers are already networking about job availability in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates, one will connect with current or former peers to find out about openings.
d) Get Certified
Many online webinars, seminars, and courses help individuals find teaching jobs in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, or other Emirates. Individuals who want to become certified teachers in the UAE should research their certification options before applying for a teaching job in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates. By becoming certified, teachers can gain national certification in the United States or Australia, opening up many job opportunities.
e) Consider Additional Training
A few voluntary courses can go a long way to help individuals find jobs teaching in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates. Teachers interested in working within the UAE should get their Master’s degree in a relevant field. Several online courses will prepare them for teaching positions in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates. Many private and international schools in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and other Emirates look for teachers with multiple skills and knowledge bases.
6. What is life like as a teacher in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates?
Teaching jobs in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, or other Emirates are gratifying and beneficial to an individual’s career. Those who want to teach abroad will find that the rise of private schools in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other emirates has opened up a more comprehensive selection of opportunities for them. There are countless—benefits to teaching in the UAE, including high pay, job security, and all-expense-paid vacations.
Teaching jobs in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates are perfect for those who love working with children. Individuals who choose to teach in these regions will need English teachers more than any different teaching specialisation. The pay and benefits are excellent, and the job security is perfect.
Teaching jobs in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates are not just a job — they’re a chance to experience the culture. Living and working abroad allows individuals to gain new perspectives on how others live and work and open up new career opportunities. Therefore, teachers working abroad should do proper research before coming to conclusions about life as teachers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates.
7. The benefits of teaching at schools in the UAE
There are many benefits available to teachers who work at schools in UAE. One advantage is that teaching jobs in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates typically offer a higher salary than those provided for teaching jobs elsewhere. Another benefit of teaching jobs in these regions is that they usually offer long-term job security.
The benefits of teaching at schools in the UAE are another way teachers can benefit from working abroad. There are numerous benefits to teaching jobs in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates. One obvious benefit is the high pay. Teachers can also expect to have a job for years because local laws protect teachers’ jobs even if their school closes. Additionally, UAE schools typically cover the cost of housing and some living expenses for their employees.
Teaching jobs in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates also offer pay and benefits challenging to find elsewhere. These benefits include employment security, free housing and paid utilities, pensions and gratuities paid directly to the teacher’s bank account.
Teachers are employed for a minimum of one year, with a maximum of five years in some schools. Some schools also offer their employees pensions and gratuities paid directly into the teacher’s bank account. In addition, teachers all receive paid holidays every year, and public holidays are observed across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates.
8. How to get your TEFL certification and teach ESL in UAE
As the UAE’s educational system continues to grow and improve, there has been a dramatic increase in schools in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and other Emirates. As a result, there is an ever-increasing demand for teachers in these public and private schools. Over the past decade, many English-speaking foreigners have migrated to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates. Many of these individuals are drawn by the high salaries in teaching positions in the UAE. These expatriate teachers often come to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates without formal training but realise they must have the proper certification to improve their employment opportunities. The best option for them is to get their TEFL certifications and teach ESL in UAE.
Ensure you know what’s necessary to teach English in the UAE before you start: A TEFL certificate is essential, and many employers demand a degree in education or a master’s degree (in any field). In addition, many employers prefer applicants with prior teaching experience and/or a teaching license. Finally, knowing what sort of English teaching positions is accessible is essential.
9. Teaching salary ranges for teachers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other countries in UAE
Teachers get paid well in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other countries in UAE. The pay ranges depending on your qualifications. A teacher with a Bachelor’s degree will command a much higher salary than someone with only a high school diploma. Someone who has completed an English as a Foreign Language course can expect to be paid between US$20,000 and US$25,000 per year. Those with Master’s degrees can command salaries of more than US$30,000.
The general rule is that the higher your level of education, the more you can expect to be paid. So, for example, a teacher with a Master’s degree should command the highest salary, followed by those with Bachelor’s degrees.
As long as you have 1–2 years of teaching experience under your belt, you will be able to find a teaching job in UAE. All public schools are governed by the Ministry of Education (MoE), and due to recent reforms, all new teaching positions created at public schools must go through the MoE hiring process. This opens up many opportunities for teachers looking for work with high salaries, benefits and long-term employment.
10. Other benefits of teaching in UAE such as living expenses and healthcare
There are other benefits to teaching in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other countries in UAE. One of the most notable is living expenses; teachers can save up to 95%of their salary because no taxes are deducted from their paychecks. There are also accessible accommodations for those who work in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other countries in UAE. In addition, many employers cover the cost of living expenses for their teachers, including housing allowances and health care.
Some employers even provide their employee’s free flights annually to visit friends and family. The UAE has a comprehensive government-funded health system and a fast-growing private healthcare sector that provides high-quality medical care to its citizens. Both the Federal and Emirate governments regulate healthcare.
Photo by Ryan Miglinczy on Unsplash
11. Employment contracts — how do they differ from one Emirate to another?
In Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other countries in UAE, contracts are generally two years long. However, teachers can choose to stay on a year-to-year basis. This is an essential benefit because it keeps teachers from staying in one country for too long. In addition, they don’t have to worry about being locked into a contract that they will have difficulty getting out of if they want to leave the country.
Abu Dhabi does not recognise labour unions, so teachers cannot form organisations to protect their rights. However, the UAE has its own Ministry of Labor, where workers can report unfair work practices and file complaints against an employer. As a result, teachers in Abu Dhabi will build a comfortable life there with all the benefits they receive.
12. Tips for teachers applying for jobs in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or other Emirates
To get a job in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, or other Emirates, being a native English speaker is very important. However, there are also other qualifications that you must meet. If you have work experience with children and/or teenagers, this would be a bonus because it shows that you can manage them properly. You should include these things in your cover letter if you have any experience. You should also include skills such as first aid and CPR certificates to prove that you are qualified for the job.
If you have an education degree, this would be a big plus. Many prospective employers will see it as proof that you are interested in working with children and not just paying the bills. It is also essential to have international qualifications such as IGCSEs. This demonstrates that you know what other countries learn to be responsive towards students from different cultures.
Takeaway points: The UAE is ideal for expats to work and enjoy life. We hope this article has helped you find your way to a new career in the United Arab Emirates! As you can see, there are many factors to consider when looking for work in the UAE. We hope that this post has given you some insight into finding a job as a teacher abroad. With the many opportunities available, finding your perfect job in Abu Dhabi should be easy. Whether you are looking for a career change or want to get out of the house and see what’s on offer abroad, there is something here for everyone! We hope this blog post has helped answer some questions about finding work as a teacher in UAE.
If you are looking for local jobs nearby you, head to www.jobsRmine.com
References :
https://www.khda.gov.ae/en/teacherappointment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_the_United_Arab_Emirates
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