The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. From lavish lifestyles to serene naturalistic scenes, as far as the eye can see, there’s nowhere on earth quite like it. So, why not use your high-level teaching skills and passion for learning take you away to the land of grand mosques and sprawling dunes?
Aside from the UAE being a great place to be, the demand for well-educated and passionate teachers is among the world’s highest. As the UAE grows, so does its need for teachers to spread their knowledge across various subjects, including English as a second language, math, chemistry, physics, and more.
Whatever your expertise is, there may be a place for you in the enchanting and lavish world that is the UAE. Out of the cities and areas, the best five based on livability, lifestyle, safety, salary, and cost of living are:
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Abu Dhabi
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Al Ain
Below, we break down the very best things about each location and why you may want to investigate the UAE.
Teaching in Dubai
Dubai is one of the hottest cities in the UAE. People from across the globe have made it a number one travel destination for those who love warm climates and architectural feats, such as the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. Teaching K-12 or ESL in Dubai gives you the best of both worlds—the residency and community to make you feel like an insider and the endless number of attractions that will keep your inner tourist alive.
Dubai teachers also receive a highly competitive salary for their work. Since there are so many positions available, you won’t have to fight tooth and nail to showcase your abilities. It isn’t the same as handing a resume to a job opening with over 100 applicants.
Once you’ve secured your position, you can also look forward to living in luxury, as Dubai is one of the most lavish places on earth. Since many teaching positions offer benefits and even housing allowances, saving money while enjoying everything Dubai offers while teaching abroad has never been easier.
Who’s hiring in Dubai?
Bloom Education has been a leader in the Middle East education sector for over a decade. Bloom has been setting the standard for educational excellence in the Middle East, providing top-notch experiences to over 16,000 students. Bloom has been entrusted with the operation of the Abu Dhabi Charter Schools programme and the ‘Ajyal’ schools initiative in the Northern Emirates. They have also been chosen as the partner of choice for the renowned international school brand Brighton College. Bloom Education is mainly based in Dubai and Sharjah.
Find teaching jobs in Dubai and Sharjah with Bloom
Teaching in Sharjah
Sharjah is a piece of living history. Often known as the cultural center of the UAE, Sharjah offers visitors and potential abroad teachers the chance to experience its ancient structures that have been meticulously preserved over the years. Sharjah is also known as safe and affordable for those who wish to teach abroad without handing over their hard-earned salary for living expenses.
The community is traditional, so the learning curve may be steep once you first arrive. That said, once you’re fully immersed in all the culture that Sharjah has to offer, you’ll barely notice that you were once a tourist.
Who’s hiring in Sharjah?
The Sharjah American International School (SAIS) school group includes four K-12 schools which offer an American curriculum based on internationally recognized American Education Standards. SAIS focuses on fostering 21st-century skills and developing a sense of global citizenship.
SAIS is solely based in the ancient city of Sharjah, the third largest emirate, after Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Find teaching jobs with SAIS in Sharjah
Teaching in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi stands with the best of them in being a highly sought-after place to teach abroad. Aside from the high salaries and benefits packages teachers often receive, the standard of living in the city is also top-tier. The need for teachers in Abu Dhabi is also high, making it easier for those with the passion and knowledge for various subjects to find their perfect placement in no time.
Another great thing about teaching in Abu Dhabi is the multi-nationality of it all. People from around the globe come to Abu Dhabi to mold minds, and when you get a job alongside them, you can learn from peers you would never have gotten a chance to meet otherwise.
Contracts typically last anywhere from one to three years, so being prepared to find a home away from home during that time is the best way to experience all Abu Dhabi has to offer while advancing your skillset.
Who’s hiring in Abu Dhabi?
Aldar Education is the leading education group in Abu Dhabi whose efforts are guided by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 plan. This plah aims to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy through premium education.
Aldar Education is mainly based in the capital of Abu Dhabi, but also have schools in Ras al Khaimah (RAK), Sharjah, Dubai, and Al Ain.
Find teaching jobs in Abu Dhabi with Aldar
Taaleem Charter Schools recently opened three growing middle-high schools: Al Ahad School (opened 2022), Al Azm School (also opened 2022), and Al Riyadh School (opened 2021). The projected growth of the Taaleem Charter School Project will offer a broad range of opportunities in the coming years, presenting charter school employees fantastic options for career progression.
Find teaching jobs in Abu Dhabi with Taaleem
Teaching in Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect place for those who want to teach in the UAE but would rather lead a quieter lifestyle. While it is still just a hop, skip, or jump away from the nightlife and bustling centers of Abu Dhabi or Dubai, it acts as a quiet oasis away from it all if you’d prefer to take a breath after a long week.
Teachers are in high demand in Ras Al Khaimah, and with competitive salaries and a lower cost of living than in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, it’s great for saving while you enhance your skills and explore a new landscape.
No matter what subject you teach, you’ll likely be able to find a spot for yourself. When you’re out of the office, you can take advantage of the city’s many attractions, including tours across the deserts in 4WD or lunch cruises on the Indian Ocean. It’s the perfect blend of work and play when you teach in Ras Al Khaimah.
Teaching in Al Ain
Like other places in the UAE, Al Ain is a great place to look for teaching jobs because many are available. As the fourth-largest city in the UAE, Al Ain is still bustling with all that’s great about the capitals while maintaining a feeling of home because of its oasis-like qualities. Al Ain is the place to be for people who wish to gather with like-minded individuals because the city’s population is brimming with expats.
While many places in the UAE have openings for K-12 or ESL, those that wish to teach at a university degree level can also explore Al Ain as they have many reputable universities in the city just waiting for fresh new eyes to tackle expert-level topics. With excellent benefits, a tax-free salary, and a fair cost of living, teaching in Al Ain could be right for you.
Teaching abroad isn’t for everyone, but it’s becoming a much more popular option for people who have gone through the time and effort to obtain teacher certifications but must fight for jobs in North America.
Countless teaching vacancies make the UAE the place to look towards in the upcoming years as people continue to utilize their skillset to bring knowledge to young people’s minds and learn something about themselves while exploring a different area of the world while doing so.
Who’s hiring in Al Ain?
Liwa has been a leader in education in the United Arab Emirates for the last three decades, providing an accessible, high-quality, American curriculum education. Students learn to cultivate an international mindset that is rooted in local values, understanding, and appreciation. Liwa emphasizes the importance of adapting to a changing world in order for graduates to be prepared to face both national and global challenges.
Liwa Education is solely based in Al Ain. Liwa is an established educational leader, recognized for providing an accessible, high-quality, American curriculum education in the United Arab Emirates for the past three decades.
Find teaching jobs in Al Ain with Liwa
Apply for your next teaching job with Teach Away
Whether you’re looking for a new teaching position in the UAE or looking to get hired as a teacher abroad, we can help you get one step closer.
Do you have a TEFL certification? Most ESL teaching companies require and recommend a TEFL certification. Be sure to get your online TEFL certification and qualify for more teaching jobs abroad.
