Teaching in the Middle East

TEACHING IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Schools and universities in the Gulf Arab States (Saudi Arabia, UEA, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain) offer the highest tax-free salaries (from £2,000 - £3,000 a month) in the TEFL world as well as fantastic living standards in private compounds. There is, however, fierce competition for these lucrative positions, and most employers demand an MA and/or professional teaching experience. Interviews for jobs are conducted in advance from teachers’ home countries, and most hiring takes place in the months leading to the school year in late August/September.
Novice teachers may encounter more opportunities in countries like Turkey, Egypt and Morocco, where salaries and benefits are more modest, but the cost of living is correspondingly lower.
Living and working in the Middle East undoubtedly represents a challenge to most westerners, but at the same time, the experience of living in one of the world’s most historic and culturally rich regions is not to be missed.

Country	Degree Requirement	Typical Contract Length	Peak Hiring Seasons	Visa Info	Typical Students	Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency	Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency
Bahrain	BA/BS Required	1 year renewable	All Year Round/ May – Aug. preferred	Work visa in advance	Business Professionals, Children	£450-650 GBP (265 – 375 BHD) Plus housing	£950-3000 GBP (565 – 1,100 BHD) Can save up to £500-1,250 GBP/Mo
Egypt	BA/BS Not Required	6 & 12 months	All Year Round/ May – Aug. preferred	Tourist visa convert to work visa	Business Professionals, Children	£320-£650 GBP (3,000 –6,000 EGP)	£585-770 GBP (3,500 –7,000 EGP)
Israel	BA/BS Required	6 -12 months	All Year Round	Tourist visa convert to work visa	Business Professionals, Children	£385-770 GBP (2,200 – 4,400 ILS)	£750-1200 GBP (3,600 – 5,500 ILS)
Jordan	BA/BS Not Required	6 & 12 months	All Year Round/ May – Aug. preferred	Tourist visa convert to work visa	Business Professionals, Children	£320-650 GBP (350 - 700 JOD)	£585-870 GBP (350 - 700 JOD)
Kuwait	BA/BS Required/ MA Preferred	1 year renewable	All Year Round/ May – Aug. preferred	Work visa in advance	Business Professionals, Children	£450-650 GBP (200 – 300 KWD) Plus housing	£950-2,900 GBP (415 – 830 KWD) Can save up to £515-1,300 GBP/Mo
Lebanon	BA/BS Not Required	6 -12 months	All Year Round	Tourist visa convert to work visa	Business Professionals, Children	£320-650 GBP (750,000–1,500,000 LBP)	£520-750 GBP (750,000 – 1,500,000 LBP)
Morocco	BA/BS Not Required	6 & 12 months	All Year Round	Tourist visa convert to work visa	Business Professionals, Children	£320-650 GBP (4,000 – 8,000 MAD)	£520-850 GBP (4,000 – 8,000 MAD)
Oman	BA/BS Required/ MA Preferred	1 year renewable	All Year Round/ May – Aug. preferred	Work visa in advance	Business Professionals, Children	£450-650 GBP (270 – 385 OMR) Plus housing	£950-1900 GBP (575 – 1150 OMR) Can save up to £500-1250 GBP/Mo
Saudi Arabia	BA/BS Required/ MA Preferred	1 year renewable	All Year Round/ May – Aug. preferred	Work visa in advance	Business Professionals, Children	£450-650 GBP (2,500- 3,700 SAR) Plus housing	£950-2900 GBP (5,600- 11,200 SAR) Can save up to £500-1250 GBP/Mo
Syria	BA/BS Not Required	N/A	All Year Round	Tourist visa convert to work visa	Business Professionals, Children	£320-650 GBP (22.700 – 45,000 SYP)	£520-750 GBP (22.700 – 45,000 SYP)
Turkey	BA Required	6 & 12 months	All Year Round	Work visa	Business Professionals	£400-600 GBP (1,700-3,500 TRY)	£700-1,000 GBP (1,700-3,500 TRY)
UAE (including Dubai & Abu Dhabi)	BA/BS Required/ MA Preferred	1 year renewable	All Year Round	Work visa in advance	Business Professionals, Children	£450-650 GBP (2,500- 3,700 AED) Plus housing	£950-2900 GBP (5,500- 11,000 AED) Can save up to £500-1300 GBP/Mo