Job Discussion Forums

orbit720 · Joined: 04 Feb 2014 Posts: 13

My wife (Irish) and I (American) are wanting to find English teaching positions in the UAE, however, unlike my wife I don't have any certifications. I have taught English in Seoul, South Korea for 3 and a half years but experience is all I have. My wife has a Celta certificate and 4 years of experience teaching abroad.

I'd like to know how likely my wife and I would be able Elton find a teaching position (or separate) and if anyone has any recommended recruiters or organizations that would help us find a possition for this coming school year.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks![img][/img]

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

You didn't mention your university degrees nor majors.

Fatboy · Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 66

I really don't think you have any chance of getting a decent teaching job in the UAE.

There are two major routes into teaching in the UAE:

1) Teaching in universities and colleges
All universities require a Masters degree. Some are now starting to ask for a PhD (AUS).

2. Teaching in schools
You do not have to have a Masters degree. A Bachelors degree with a PGCE or Qualified Teacher Status would do the trick. The British schools ask for a PGCE and the American ones ask for state teaching certification. A CELTA does not qualify as valid certification for schools in the UAE.

From what you have said, you cannot teach in either universities or schools. You could teach in some dodgy language school, but the pay would be pretty bad and you would not get the usual perks like housing. The cost of living; especially housing ; is very expensive now in the UAE.

My intention is not to burst your bubble and I wish you all the best in your search, but you need to have a realistic idea of your chances of finding work.