ESL Schools

ESL Schools in the Middle East

The world is increasingly global and English continues to persist as the world’s global first language. As businesses expand and foreigners travel around the world the demand for English teachers to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) increases.

There are many ESL programs around the world. University intensive English programs are typically hosted by universities and colleges and are intended to assist students as they try to develop their intellectual side and as they attempt to expand their academic experience. Private Language Schools can also offer IEP and are directed at students who are not necessarily concerned about learning English and who also focus on learning more about cultural values. In comparison to University based IEPs, IEPs located in Private Language Schools are more diverse and provide students with a wider range of programs. This is owed to the fact that students attending these courses are likely to spend shorter periods of time abroad and to be more interested in the interactive part of their experience.

ESL students receive instruction in several environments, mainly depending on each individual’s experience with English and on the educational institute’s policies. Students can be pulled out from regular classes in order for them to be able to attend personalized instruction in ESL classes, can be taught ESL during normal classes, or can learn ESL in a Resource Center holding many accessories that can assist them in being taught more efficiently.

As places in the middle east (especially the UAE, with cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai) grown in wealth and modernization, the need for English speaking skills continues to grow. English is one of the most widely spoken languages (aside from Arabic) in major cities in the Middle East, in particular for business and tourism. In addition, the Middle East is a very competitive society, and the desire to know English goes hand in hand with the elite status that so many Middle Easterners strive to achieve. As a result, more and more English schools are opening. They are opening at all levels of education. Even some businesses, for example hotel chains, have English schools within their organization, so that their employees can speak the language to the tourist.

While there are job opportunities in the Middle East in the Public School Elementary and Secondary Education system, the majority of the jobs will be found at the college level. As the Arabic College student prepares him or herself for the business world, the need to know English becomes greater. As a result, more and more colleges are offering English as part of the curriculum.

ESL Salaries in the Middle East

The salary package for any English teacher abroad will depend on a multitude of variables, such as the experience of the teacher or the resource availability of the hiring institution. Still, at a general level, estimations have been completed below of the salary packages offered by some of the more popular destinations of English teachers. While Educators Overseas does not place teachers in all these locations and individual compensation will differ, this will give you an idea of what to expect as an ESL teacher no matter who you teach through.

Country Monthly Salary Airfare Health care Teaching hours per week
      1. Egypt       3,000 – 8,000 EGP               Sometimes included         Usually included         20 – 25
      2. Israel       3,500 – 14,000 ILS               Seldom included         Always included         20 – 30
     3. Kuwait       560 – 1,100 KWD               Usually included        Usually included         20 – 35
      4. Saudi Arabia      770 – 1,540 OMR               Usually included        Usually included         20
      5. UAE      6,700 – 9,000 QAR              Usually included        Usually included          25
      6. Oman      1250-1450 OMR             Usually included        Usually included           25