Basic Information for the Region

• TESL teachers looking to find a job in the Middle East will have the best luck searching for jobs in countires like the UAE, Bahrain, Palestine, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen
  
• The oil-rich states, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, offer generous salaries and amazing housing areas
• It should be noted that in many countires, single women are at a serious disadvantage. Job opportunity posts are often advertised for single males only or to married couples.
  
• The oil economy made English a necessity, even if it is sometimes grudgingly accepted as such.
  
• The is a great deal of well-compensated work and very good working conditions in the Middle East region
  

Teaching

• High salaries are provided in this regiion; however, with the high salaries, the highest qualifications are demanded.
  
• Companies and programs do not want, simply,  TESOL qualifications, but also an undergraduate degree, and often an MA in TESOL or comparative linguistics, and atleast three years of teaching experience.
  

Visas and Regulations

• The visa situation varies with each Middle Eastern country.
  
• One should make plans with the relevant consulate of your home country, and at the same time make it clear that you wish to go and teach.
  
• In order to get a visa, one should be ready to submit copies of education certificates, a blood test and medical report, and a resume or CV.
  
• Tourist visas for most of these countries are very difficult to get.
• Your visa requirements and entitlements will depend on what your country of origin has fixed up with the host country. 
• Websites to visit in regards to visa information include:
• http://www.visasintl.com/
• http://travel.state.gov/visa/
• http://www.usembassy.gov/
  
• Things to think about when applying for the visa:
• What you have to do to renew your visa.
  
• How many times can you renew your visa?
• How can this be converted into a work permit?
• Exit and re-entry visas? Costs?
  
• etc

In Kuwait, salaries are not quite as high as they once were; however, there are many organizations seeking highly-qualified teachers

 In Lebanon, English seems to be overtaking French as the official second language. Salaries are not high, but there is a lot of opportunity for the less well qualified TESL teacher.

 In Kuwait, salaries are not quite as high as they once were; however, there are many organizations seeking highly-qualified teachers

 In Oman, there are many teachers from the Sudan, Sri Lanka, India, and North Africa. Historically, it has been the case that few westerners will go to work there; however, there is a fast expanding TESL market..

Qataris experiencing great growth in the TESL market. Although Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken. It’s a very wealthy state and offers some of the best packages around for TESL teachers

In Saudi Arabia, expatriate packages are still very attractive, but as in all the oil-rich states, you will be teaching a wide range of students including school students and even children of the elite. Much the same as other oil states, you will probably find yourself living on in an expatriate compound with good facilities and a high standard of living.

At the other end of the scale, Syria is a poor country but there are many opportunities available in the growing TESL market

Finally, Yemen is considered by many to be the most beautiful and intriguing countries in the region. That said, salaries are not that great; however, many find its history and culture very engaging.

Getting a Job

• If you are thinking about the Middle East, think about the whole region and not just one country.
  
• It is a very good idea to contact all of the Middle Eastern embassies in your country of origin, enquiring about teaching and visas, and see what you get back.
  
• Due to visa restrictions, it is practically impossible to get a job on the spot.
  
• Many embassies in the region act as recruiting agents for their home country.