Teaching Jobs in Dubai
Moving to a new country is a big choice – we’re here to help and answer any questions. You will get free personal support with the application process and paperwork. Apply now and work in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or another great place in the UAE next school year!
Salary, Benefits, and Saving Money
-
return flights
-
health insurance (which, like accommodations, covers your family as well)
-
a relocation allowance to get your new place set up
-
an annual travel allowance to visit home or go on fun trips
-
school fees for your kids
-
even a sizeable completion bonus at the end of your contract!
Great Base for Travel and International Mixing Place
The Place and the Lifestyle
Types of Teaching Jobs, Schools, and Subjects Taught
There are a number of possibilities for teaching jobs in Dubai, nearby Abu Dhabi, and the United Arab Emirates in general. Many types of schools operate here, and the types of jobs available, grade levels and curricula taught are all varied – we’ll break all these down below. Of special note is the recent investment in reforming the public education system, led by Abu Dhabi – this is the best opening for foreign educators.
Types of Jobs Available – most educational institutions are looking for teachers (in particular native English speaking teachers with a teaching license from their home country. There is also a smaller intake for administrators like principals, VPs, and heads of faculty – these leadership jobs are at the top of the pay scale, but typically require very solid experience from back home and don’t come up as often as regular teaching positions.
Types of Schools:
1) Public schools – these openings are primarily in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi’s authorities want tomorrow’s high school grads to be fluent in English and have technical skills to form a knowledge-based workforce that is less dependent on oil reserves and foreign expertise (a movement that is happening all over UAE). The large-scale education reform is supported by an ongoing recruiting drive of foreign teachers. Joining this program is the best opportunity for foreign teachers – the responsibility is important, the jobs are stable and prestigious government teaching positions, and the salaries and benefits definitely reflect that.
2) Private schools – Historically, most opportunities for teaching in Dubai and the region have revolved around private schools, with licensed Western educators teaching all subjects and grades and a variety of curricula. This is still a big part of the education industry, in particular in Dubai, where hundreds of thousands of students are enrolled in private schools. A variety of schools catering both to locals and to children of expats are thriving in the UAE. It can often be hard here to get a clear sense from a school’s name or online information to see if it’s a good fit for you: the curriculum being taught, the demographics of the student body, and the makeup of the faculty. It’s a good idea to work with a recruiting agency that has local experience and can suggest schools that are reputable and a good fit for your particular background and experience. The recruiters’ inside connection to decision makers at the schools and knowledge of the quickly shifting VISA process can speed up your dream of working abroad by a matter of months. If you’re determined to try it on your own, a good starting point is this map of schools in the Dubai area
3) Vocational schools typically teach students of college age and recent high school grads upgrading their skills. Many of these have a technical orientation and their recruiting needs are often a particular discipline – everything from STEM specialties (very common) to art teachers and special ed teachers (we see postings like this from time to time).
4) Language academies – often these are evening or weekend jobs teaching adults or students preparing for an English exam. Unlike the other school types above, a BA with TEFL certification and some teaching experience may be sufficient to teach at these – you may not have to be licensed to teach in a public school in your home country. However, the pay is also usually lower to reflect that.
Subjects Taught: There is a strong demand for English teachers and STEM disciplines. If you’re a Math/Biology/Chemistry/Physics teacher, especially with middle school and high school experience, jobs are usually not hard to find. There is also an increasing need for applied instruction in specialized fields like computer science /and fill in with Jess/. Physical education teachers are also generally in demand, as are certified kindergarten teachers and early childhood educators. It can tougher for teachers whose experience is primarily in social sciences or history to find a job in UAE teaching their subject of choice, but as the education industry here matures we see a growing demand in this area. Positions like art teacher and /fill this in with Alison and Jess/ come up, but it’s a good idea to apply well ahead of your planned departure time (if you have a specific specialty in this area, contact us LINK with your CV and our recruiters will keep an eye out for positions for you).
Teach Abroad Resources:
We have built some really useful guides for teachers and people working online or overseas. Check out our comprehensive guide to online teaching jobs and learn how best to write or update your teacher job resume (including a sample resume for teachers without experience). Dig in deeper by learning how to create a positive learning environment or what you can do to practice culturally responsive teaching. A wealth of similar guides and articles are available in our resources section. Are you eager to apply for jobs and register for programs? You can do that quickly on our easy general application that covers all the teaching jobs that we offer. For a little bit more background information on the steps required to teach english abroad and online, head to our home page. If you have a specific region in mind, you can apply for teaching in Dubai here on this page, check our information on teaching english in Korea, or scroll down for other popular destinations which are updated regularly.