Teaching English in the Middle East - UAE - Abu Dhabi, Dubai and others Emirates
The UAE is one of the most diverse and plentiful Arab states, drawing its population from the Indian subcontinent, Malaysia, The Philippines, Britain and a host of other countries. The result is a kaleidoscopic nation that encapsulates the best of the Middle East and the West, with fantastic shopping too. The highlight is Dubai, a glitzy blend of skyscrapers, temples, beaches and shops that draws the rich and famous from across the world. Dubai enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Winters are glorious, with low humidity and daytime temperatures hovering at the 30°C mark (18°C at night). But summers are hideous, with unofficial temperatures regularly exceeding 50°C during the day. Accompanying high humidity (90 per cent and beyond on occasion) makes for a very unpleasant experience if you happen to venture outside. Even during a summer’s night, temperatures rarely dip below 30°C.
More and more people are becoming aware of this slice of Arabia through its exposure on the world stage, along with the intense global marketing efforts of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Emirates airline, which, with a seemingly bottomless pit of money at their disposal, have been able to enthuse and extol the virtues of the city without restraint for several years.
Dubai is one of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country founded in December 1971. Covering an area of some 83,600 square kilometres across the Arabian Peninsula, the country consists of Abu Dhabi, the largest emirate and the location of the nation’s capital; Dubai, the second-largest emirate at some 3,885 square kilometres, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ra’s al-Khaimah and Fujairah. With the city spanning little more than 50 kilometres from end to end, you certainly don’t have to go far to find everything you’ll ever need within a stone’s throw.
Experience potential
There’s a large number of private schools in Dubai and the Emirates, catering mainly for the needs of the expatriate population. English is generally the language used for all lessons. There are some French schools, which hold lessons in that language, but these usually also teach English. Private English lessons are popular in Dubai and therefore a significant source of employment. Many of the teachers offering them also have full-time employment in schools and colleges, private lessons being a lucrative way to supplement their income.
Cost of living
Your cost of living will obviously depend on your lifestyle. The general lack of taxation has a significant impact on the cost of certain items, e.g. cars. On the other hand, the cost of accommodation is high, as is that of certain food items, particularly imported foods. If you buy internationally recognised branded foods and household goods, you might pay higher prices than at home, but there are usually plenty of cheaper locally and regionally produced alternatives that are of excellent quality. Clothing can also be expensive if you favour designer labels – this isn’t peculiar to Dubai – although there’s little need for winter clothing.
The price of wines and spirits, where these are permitted, is slightly lower than at home but higher than average European prices. Electronic goods, such as televisions, hi-fis, DVD players, photographic equipment and computer hardware and software, are generally less expensive than in Europe, mainly because of lower import duties.
Culture
The language of the land is Arabic, although English ranks alongside, especially in business, and is spoken by most . . . to varying degrees. Islam is the country’s official religion and, although the UAE Constitution allows for religious freedom, Article 322 of the Federal Penal Code states that any person caught promoting any religion other than Islam without permission faces a jail term of not less than a year, or a fine of not less than Dhs5,000.
Dubai is also the land of great opportunities where almost anything’s possible if you have the get-up-and-go to get it done. Where one person’s plan might fail, another’s will succeed if he or she knows the right people.
There are seldom any boundaries with what can and can’t be done, but laws are ambiguous, non-existent and not seen to be enforced so, in the ensuing confusion, it’s often best to try something and later apologise for it if it’s wrong, rather than not try it at all.
Travel
Being such small countries, road travel is most people’s best option, with regular bus services between every destination. Hiring a car is possible, but if you do, avoid the madness of the cities as much as possible.
Contract Conditions
Contract: One year
Accommodation is provided
Repatriation allowance at end of employment tenure
60 days holidays plus local holidays
Subsidized medical insurance
Round trip flight
Requirements
Must have a BA/ Bsc/ MA/Msc and TESL qualification ie CELTA,TESOL, DELTA, ICELT etc
Experience preferred