Teaching English in Saudi Arabia

Everything you need to know about teaching English in the land of golden deserts.

Saudi Arabia is a mysterious, yet fascinating country to explore and teach in. It’s full of surprises and has everything from modern cities, the blue waters of the Red Sea, upscale shopping malls, desert adventures, and some of the most lucrative salaries in the world. Teachers with curiosity and a sense of adventure will likely find Saudi Arabia a captivating country to call home.

Teachers who are adventurous, looking to earn a high salary and experience a unique culture may find Saudi Arabia to be the perfect place.

Teaching positions tend to be a bit easier to acquire here than in other Gulf countries and many will find this a great place to start out. Even teachers who have only a Bachelor’s degree, little to no teaching experience and a 120 hour TEFL certificate can find it possible to acquire a job with a reasonable salary. Salaries tend to range from US $2500-4500/month with housing, and transportation included.

For teachers with national teaching certificates, 2+ years of experience, or degrees related to education, you might also find roundtrip flights included in your contract. Top pay and preference is usually given to those who have a Master’s degree or higher and several years of experience.

Teaching in Saudi Arabia can be a great way to save up money in just a few years. Most teachers are able to save $1,500+ each month as long as both housing and transportation are included in their contracts.

Saudi Arabia is an oil-rich and very conservative country, but with the right expectations, teachers can find teaching here to be a rewarding experience.

Prospective teachers should be aware that students are segregated depending on gender and most advertisements for teaching positions will specifically state whether the applicant should be male or female. Those who are open to this type of lifestyle will find Saudis to be some of the friendliest and most welcoming people around. Saudi Arabia is sunny year round and there are various regions to explore.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular destinations for English teachers in Saudi Arabia:

Teachers who are looking to enjoy some of the best in Middle Eastern cuisine will not be disappointed with food in Saudi Arabia. Although eating pork and drinking alcohol is illegal, this can easily be traded in for delicious grilled chicken or beef and Arabic coffee.

Some of the most popular dishes in Saudia Arabia include:

Teaching English in Saudi Arabia might not be for everyone and it is best to do your homework before signing a contract. Teachers should be aware of the local culture, laws, and are expected to dress modestly. Those who can adopt an attitude of “When in Rome…” will likely find Saudia Arabia to be an interesting place that is full of culture, tradition, and hospitality.

For visa purposes, many schools and universities will only consider those with a US/CAN/UK/IRE/AUS/NZ passport. Most schools require a minimum of a TEFL certificate and a bachelor’s degree, though they have a preference for master’s degrees. Obtaining a visa can be a lengthy process since the government is very strict on issuing work permits and the process can take 2+ months.

Non-native teachers: If you do not have a passport from the US/CAN/UK/IRE/AUS/NZ, you can still get a job in Saudi Arabia but preference is given to those with near-level proficiency in English, previous teaching experience, and a degree from an English-speaking country.

Teachers without degrees: Unfortunately, if you don’t have a degree you’ll find it extremely difficult to find a position in Saudi Arabia.