When visiting the United Arab Emirates, tourists rarely get past the excessive heights of Dubai’s world-class skyline. English teachers on the other hand, have the kind of time and mobility needed to explore this fascinating collection of Arab states, with their modern metropolises, authentic Bedouin outposts and strange mix of old and new worlds.

As mentioned, Dubai is star of the UAE. It’s crowned by the iconic Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest manmade structure and the unmistakable emblem of this cutting-edge city. Across Dubai, extravagant hotels, massive shopping complexes and over-the-top adventure activities are springing up from the desert.
The other major destination in the United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi. With fewer all-night clubs and more practical infrastructure, Abu Dhabi is usually billed as the more liveable of these two cities. This live-ability combined with the emirate’s massive size mean most English teachers in the UAE are based here.

While teachers are most likely to be based in these cities, there’s a great deal more going on in the UAE. It’s possible to take weekend trips to the deserts of Liwa or spend a night in the oasis of date palms that is Al-Ain. Residents enjoy white sand beaches, indoor ski slopes and a range of activities in between.

Most schools and language institutes in the UAE offer free on-site housing to teachers. Teachers who would rather live offsite may qualify for a housing allowance, but it’s always a good idea to take the school up on free housing offers at first, allowing time for incoming teachers to get their bearings.

The highways in the UAE are up to modern standards and getting around by car or bus is easy. Many schools provide some form of public transportation. Dubai has a monorail, while Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have plenty of taxis on hand.

English really became important to the UAE with the advent of the oil industry. Aspiring business tycoons and entrepreneurs had to learn English in order to compete in a global marketplace. Students are a diverse lot, with a mix of Bedouin, Malay and Filipino heritage.

As previously stated, most of the English teaching positions are in Abu Dhabi (population: nearly 900,000) and Dubai (2.2 million). Salaries can be high, though this depends a great deal on the teacher’s experience and credentials. It’s not hard to find English teachers in the United Arab Emirates who have 20 years or more in the industry.
English lessons are mandated by the government from kindergarten on, so it’s not hard to find jobs. But it’s a desirable place to work, so competition is tight as well.

United Arab Emirates Links

• Go to United Arab Emirates forums
• Go to United Arab Emirates photo gallery
• Google search for United Arab Emirates
• United Arab Emirates wikipedia entry