TEACHING ENGLISH IN KUWAIT

 

  • Education: 
    BA/BS is a must, MA preferred by some schools, education/teaching background is often preferred
  • TEFL Certification: 
    A minimum of 300 Hrs Advance TESOL to a 450 Hrs Diploma in TESOL are preferred
  • Types of Jobs: 
    Private Language Schools, Vocational Colleges, International Schools and private tutoring
  • Average teaching hours per week: 
    20-25 hours of classroom & extra preparation time
  • Typical Hiring Process: 
    Interviews are conducted through Skype or telephonic conversation
  • Types of Students: 
    School Children and Business Professionals
  • Cost of Living per month: 
    $650 - $1,000 USD along with housing
  • Visas: 
    Visas are typically sponsored by schools
  • Average Monthly Pay: 
    $1,500 - $ 3,500 USD
  • Start –up cost: 
    $1,000 - $1,200 USD
  • Potential to save or Break-even: 
    Can save 1000 USD+ a month after expenses
  • Accommodation Benefits: 
    In most of the cases
  • Fight Reimbursements: 
    In most of the cases

Teaching English in Kuwait

A rich deposit of oil aside, the Arabic nation of Kuwait has on offer a unique blend of coastal scenery, stunning desert, and traditional Arab culture. Throw the cosmopolitan Kuwait City into the mix and the result is a distinguished middle eastern city with extravagant modern infrastructure and shopping arcades.

Those looking to apply for a teaching job in Kuwait typically require a 4-year college degree such as BA or BS as well as a TEFL certification. Some schools may ask for a master’s degree as an additional requirement. Prior teaching experience is often mandated by many schools with Kuwait being home to a highly competitive job market compared to some of the other Arabian countries.

A salary expectation of something in the range of $1,500-$3,200, all of it tax-free, is nothing unrealistic for a qualified English teacher. Additional benefits include furnished housing, health insurance, and airfare to and from the place of assignment.

Advance hiring is typically the process followed for the foreign English teachers with visa processing being completed prior to them departing for their destination. It usually takes around 1-3 months for the whole interview and visa process to get completed.

Kuwait is among the more conservative Middle Eastern countries and requires that expatriates exhibit a degree of sensitivity towards the local customs while being prepared to adapt themselves to life in a society that is governed by Islamic traditions and laws that may often seem in stark contrast to the norms in western countries.