Middle East and North Africa TEFL Job Markets

Oil rich nations of the Persian Gulf offer some of the most lucrative English teaching jobs in the world, however, these positions are competitive and many require previous experience and advanced credentials. First-time teachers will find more opportunities in countries like Egypt, Morocco and Türkiye, where salaries and benefits are more modest, but the cost of living is low and the experience of living in one of the world’s most historic and culturally rich societies is second to none.

The majority of jobs are in private language institutes teaching both adults and children.

The following information represents typical experiences for teachers but of course varies. Always carefully review contract details for any position and don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.

Bahrain

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required, MA preferred
Typical Contract Length: 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round, May-August preferred
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Free or subsidy
Reimbursed Airfare: Yes
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,100 - 1,500 (400 - 550 BHD)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $650 - 1,050 (250 - 400 BHD)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $1,500 - $3,000 (550 - 1,100 BHD)
Can save $800+ per month

Egypt

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round, May-August preferred
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Egypt, some phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Tourist visa convert to work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: Rarely
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 – 1,500 (17,600 - 24,400 EGP)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $300 - 700 (5,200 - 12,300 EGP)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $$300 - 700 (5,200 - 12,300 EGP)

Israel

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Israel; some phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Tourist visa convert to work visa; right of return
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: Rarely
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,500 – 2,000 (5,400 – 7,300 ILS)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 - 1,500 (3,500 - 5,500 ILS)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $700 - 1,500 (2,500 - 5,500 ILS)

Jordan

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round, May-August preferred
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Jordan, some phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Tourist visa convert to work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: Rarely
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 - 1,500 (700 – 1,050 JOD)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $650 - 1,000 (450 - 700 JOD)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $650 - 1,200 (450 - 850 JOD)

Kuwait

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required, MA preferred
Typical Contract Length: 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round, May-August preferred
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Free housing or subsidy
Reimbursed Airfare: Yes
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 – 1,500 (300 - 450 KWD)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $650 - 1,000 (200 - 300 KWD)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $1,500 - 3,300 (450 - 1,000 KWD)
Can save $850+ per month

Lebanon

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Lebanon
Visa: Tourist visa convert to work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,800 – 3,000 (2,700,000 – 4,500,000 LBP)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $900 - 1,500 (1,400,000 - 2,300,000 LBP)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $900 - 1,500 (1,400,000 - 2,300,000 LBP)

Morocco

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Morocco
Visa: Tourist visa convert to work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 – 1,500 (9,500 – 14,300 MAD)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $500 - 1,000 (4,600 - 9,500 MAD)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $500 - 1,000 (4,600 - 9,500 MAD)

Oman

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required, MA preferred
Typical Contract Length: 12 months, May-August preferred
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Free or subsidy provided
Reimbursed Airfare: Yes
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 – 1,500 (400 - 600 OMR)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $800 - 1,550 (300 - 600 OMR)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $1,600 - 3,100 (580 – 1,200 OMR)
Can save $800+ per month

Qatar

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required, MA preferred
Typical Contract Length: 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Free or housing subsidy
Reimbursed Airfare: Yes
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,500 - 2,500 (5,500 – 9,100 QAR)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $800 - 2,000 (2,900 – 7,300 QAR)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $1,600 – 4,000 (5,800 – 14,600 QAR)
Can save $800+ per month

Saudi Arabia

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required, MA preferred
Typical Contract Length: 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round, May-August preferred
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Free or housing subsidy
Reimbursed Airfare: Yes
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 – 1,500 (3,750 – 5,600 SAR)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $700 - 1,000 (2,600 - 3,750 SAR)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $1,500 - 3,000 (5,600- 11,250 SAR)
Can save $800+ per month

Türkiye

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance or face-to-face in Türkiye
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals
Housing: Some free housing or subsidy
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,100 - 1,800 (5,850 - 9,600 TRY)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $550 - 900 (3,000 - 4,800 TRY)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $550 - 1,150 (3,000 - 6,200 TRY)

UAE (including Dubai & Abu Dhabi)

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required, MA preferred
Typical Contract Length: 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Free or housing subsidy
Reimbursed Airfare: Yes
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,500 – 2,500 (5,500 - 9,200 AED)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 - 1,500 (3,700 - 5,500 AED)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $1,800 - 5,000 (6,700 - 18,500 AED)
Can save $800+ per month

NOTE:

For the most up-to-date exchange rates check out xe.com.

Start-up costs are estimates in a country for housing, food and expenses until receiving your first paycheck, which is typically 30 days after start of contract.