Dubai is considered by many to be one of the most liberal cities in the UAE, and coupled with the attractive salary, Dubai is ideal for experienced ESL teachers looking to set up a house for a while. Here, teachers must commit to more than just a year before heading off on their next adventure. And this is precisely what sets it apart from other English teaching hotspots.
With career growth and travel all rolled into one, these are the steps you’ll need to take to stand a chance at landing yourself a sought-after teaching position in this cosmopolitan metropolis.
Get TEFL Qualified
The most important qualification to get under your belt before applying for any English teaching position is a TEFL certification. The industry standard for these courses is 120 hours, though you can also opt to take additional courses on how to teach online and exam preparation.
Courses can be taken either at your local training center or online, and are flexible, so you can complete them at your own pace. While you’ll have 6 months to complete your training, the average time needed is around 10 weeks.
Your tutors will be qualified and experienced ESL teachers and will help you through the process. Don’t be shy; pick their brains when it comes to insight into the realities of ESL teaching. They may even have some contacts or suggestions as to how to go about landing your first job in the industry.
Get experience
With the promise of higher-paid teaching positions in Dubai, expectations of teachers are in turn higher. You will be expected to create engaging lessons that foster conversation in the target language and promote fluency. With this in mind, getting enough experience is vital.
A great place to start when it comes to getting a foot in the door is volunteering. Look into organizations that operate in your local area to put your qualifications to good use. Alternatively, if you can’t help out in your neighborhood,
RefuNet relies on volunteer English teachers from across the world to teach refugees via online lessons. So long as you have a decent internet connection, a webcam, and some headphones, you’re good to go.
Once you’ve gained enough experience, there’s no reason not to start sending out applications to schools to get your first full-time taste of teaching. It also shouldn’t interfere with your volunteering. RefuNet only asks for a commitment of an hour of your time a week, and any additional hours of volunteering are at the teacher’s discretion.