Qatar is a vastly modern country with a surplus of oil-generated wealth. While it has hints of that old Bedouin culture and the fallen empires of antiquity, the main reason visitors come and teachers expatriate here is to enjoy a competitive salary in a modern, cosmopolitan center.

The center of Qatar is in its capital city, Doha. This emerging city has more cosmopolitan appeal than most in the Middle East, and it’s getting better each year. One of the principle sites here is the Al-Corniche, a waterfront strip strewn with modern towers, museums, gardens and theme parks. This is a good place to find Western expatriates cycling or jogging in the early morning hours.
But there are a few quiet corners of Qatar that don’t often land on short-term visitors’ radars, and these are perhaps the most enduring attractions for teachers and other long-term expatriates. Old-world markets (souqs) have been updated and are still in use. There are also outlying villages like Al-Khor, once a pearl-diving outpost, that are well worth exploring.  

There are plenty of modern shops and restaurants to attend, but the nightlife in Qatar is relatively subdued. Alcoholic beverages are available in a few of the ritzier hotel lounges and restaurants. Outside these places, teachers must obtain a letter of permission from their employer to purchase alcohol.  

Teaching positions aren’t as widely available here as in other Middle Eastern countries, so benefit packages vary. Many reputable employers provide housing or at least assist teachers with a monthly living stipend on top of their salary.

Tourists typically get around in taxis or on buses, but teachers are more likely to secure their own form of transportation. In some cases, living near the school means the only public transport needed will be for heading to the city center or neighboring cities.

Qatar doesn’t have a surplus of teaching jobs, despite the fact that the government-issued curriculum requires English to be taught at all levels. Despite this, few public schools hire native English speakers.

Most Western English teachers are hired by private schools in Doha (population: nearly 1 million), where the majority of Qatar's population lives. The wealthiest families in Qatar send their children to prestigious international schools that are constantly in search of highly qualified, English-speaking teachers for all subjects.
It’s also possible to teach as a private tutor outside of regular hours. This is an excellent option for teachers who want to maximize their time spent in Qatar and save as much money as possible.

Qatar Links

• Go to Qatar forums
• Go to Qatar photo gallery
• Google search for Qatar
• Qatar wikipedia entry