TEACH ENGLISH IN SAUDI ARABIA

About Teaching English in Saudi Arabia

To teach English in Saudi Arabia, you will need a TEFL certificate and a 4-year college degree in any field (although a Master's degree is preferred). You must be a native English speaker as well. The average salary for an English teacher in Saudi Arabia is about $1,500 - $3,000 USD per month.

Qualified English teachers in Saudi Arabia can realistically expect to make $1,500 - $3,000 tax-free a month with benefits including airfare to and from the assignment, health insurance, and even furnished housing. Saudi Arabia offers the largest number of teaching positions in the region, with a large number of job opportunities available to highly qualified (and typically) native-speaking English teachers.

Because of the number of vacancies, and the challenges of attracting young westerners in their 20s and 30s to such a restrictive environment, schools are more likely to accept teachers with less substantial qualifications than in neighboring countries like the UAE and Qatar. Salaries and benefits can be excellent, but teachers must be prepared to live in a society governed by traditional Islamic law and customs. This bans the use of alcohol and movie theaters and dictates that most public institutions, including schools, are segregated by gender.

Most teachers are hired in advance from their own country and have their visa processed prior to their departure for their teaching destination. To receive their visa, teachers should expect to pass a physical and an HIV test, and in many cases, academic transcripts and a criminal background check may also be necessary. Expect the interview and visa processes to take 1-3 months.

English teaching jobs are concentrated in the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and other larger cities.

How to Teach English in Saudi Arabia: Requirements

TEFL Certification

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Saudi Arabia. You do not need professional teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you do need to get hired. 

Teachers interview from their home country in advance for Saudi Arabi teaching jobs. Therefore, it is most common for students to take one of our TEFL course options listed below.

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

You typically need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Saudi Arabia, though there are limited exceptions. Citizens from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are considered to be native speakers.

Degree Requirements

A bachelor's degree is required to secure a teaching job in Saudi Arabia with most employers giving preference to those with a Master's degree.

Background Check

You will require a clean FBI background check in order to process your work visa.

Go Further:  Saudi Arabia Requirements

How to Find English Teaching Jobs in Saudi Arabia

TEFL Jobs in Saudi Arabia

The most common job types in Saudi Arabia consist of:

• Teaching adults or children in private language schools, international schools, and universities.
• Private tutoring both children and adults.
• Teaching Business English to adults.
• Teaching English Online.

TEFL Saudi Arabia: Hiring & Visa

English teachers in Saudi Arabia can expect to find jobs year-round. It is most common to interview over the phone, Skype, or Zoom, and you may interview through a recruiting company. Expatriates living in Saudi Arabia who earn their TEFL certification may be able to get work locally in Saudi Arabia (especially private lessons).

To receive their visa, teachers should expect to pass a physical and an HIV test, and in many cases, academic transcripts and a criminal background check may also be necessary. Expect the interview and visa processes to take 1-3 months.

ESL Jobs Saudi Arabia: Hours

English language schools in Saudi Arabia require approximately 20 to 30 hours of classroom work per week plus additional hours for prep time. There are many a variety of holidays and many schools offer paid vacation. This allows for plenty of time to travel and explore. 

Teaching Saudi Students

It is most common that your students will be children, high school students, university-age students, adults, and business professionals. 

TEFL Saudi Arabia Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $1,000 - $1,500 USD (3,750 - 5,600 SAR). These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Saudi Arabia until you receive your first paycheck and may include things like transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc. 

How Much Can I Earn Teaching English in Saudi Arabia?

Even first-time English teachers can earn a good salary and receive benefits like airfare, housing, health insurance, and paid vacation. Teachers can expect to make $1,500 - $3,000 USD (5,600- 11,200 SAR) per month. 

• How Much do English Teachers Make in Saudi Arabia? 
• What are Salaries for Teaching English in the Middle East?
  
  

Cost of Living & Savings

The cost of living typically ranges between $500-$1,000 USD per month.

English teachers in Saudi Arabia can expect to save roughly $700 - $1,000 USD (2,600 - 3,750 SAR).  Even most first-time English teachers in Saudi Arabia can save $500-$1000 a month or even more after expenses.