Everything You Need To Know About Starting Your TEFL Teaching Career In Riyadh: Complete Guide
18th October 2023
In the education industry, becoming a TEFL teaching career is one of the top choices for aspirants. Most aspiring or experienced TEFL teachers want to make a career in one of the famous destinations Riyadh.
Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia and is also known as the culture capital as well due to it’s numerous cultural centres. According to britannica.com, we can see that almost 37.8% of the population is non-Saudi people, which shows that it accepts people from different cultures and countries.
Source: britannica.com
Apart from this, it has more than 4000 mosques, multiple shopping centres, libraries, and museums, and most importantly, it has plenty of opportunities for all the capable TEFL teachers from all corners of the world.
You might be curious about what you need to know before starting your TEFL teaching journey in Riyadh. No need to worry, because we have created this blog post which contains every little detail that you need to know to have a successful TEFL teaching career in Riyadh.
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So, without any further delay, let’s get started.
Requirements for Teaching English in Riyadh
To become an English teacher in Riyadh, there are certain requirements that you need to fulfill. Let's take a look at each of these requirements in detail-
1. Degree Requirements
To secure a teaching job in Riyadh, a bachelor's degree is required. Most employers prefer candidates with a Master's degree, so having an advanced degree can give you a competitive edge in the job market.
2. TEFL Certification
To teach English in Riyadh, a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification is mandatory. This certification provides you with the necessary training and qualifications to excel in your teaching career. Although professional teaching experience is not required, earning a TEFL certification will significantly enhance your chances of getting hired by reputable institutions.
3. Native English-Speaking Proficiency
To be eligible for English teaching positions in Riyadh, you typically need to be a native English speaker. If you are a citizen of countries like the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa then you are considered to be a native English speaker. However, even if you’re not from a native English-speaking country if you have pursued courses like Online Tefl courses and have a valid TEFL certification from a reputed institution then you’re eligible to teach as well.
4. Background Check
In order to process your work visa, you will need to provide a clean FBI background check. This check ensures that you have no criminal record and guarantees your suitability for teaching in Riyadh.
Finding English Teaching Jobs in Riyadh
Now that you are familiar with the requirements, let's explore how you can find English teaching jobs in Riyadh.
TEFL Jobs in Riyadh
There are various job opportunities for English teachers in Riyadh. The most common types of teaching positions include:
- Teaching English opportunities in Government institutes, Private institutions, Universities, or Business school to young students and adults as well.
- Private tutoring for both children and adults.
- Teaching Business English to professionals.
- Teaching English online.
Hiring Process and Visa Requirements
English teachers in Riyadh can find job openings throughout the year. The hiring process usually involves interviews conducted over the phone, Skype, or Zoom. It is common to interview through a recruiting company. If you are already living in Riyadh as an expatriate and have earned your TEFL certification, you may have the opportunity to find work locally, especially in private tutoring.
To obtain your work visa, you will need to pass a physical examination and an HIV test. Additionally, you may be required to submit academic transcripts and undergo a criminal background check. The entire interview and visa process typically takes around 1-3 months.
Working Hours
English language schools in Riyadh generally require teachers to work approximately 20 to 30 hours of classroom time per week, with additional hours for lesson planning and preparation. Many schools offer paid vacation and holidays, providing you with ample time to travel and explore the country.
Teaching Local Students in Riyadh
As an TEFL teacher in Riyadh, you can expect to work with a diverse range of students. Your students may include children, high school students, university-age students, adults, and business professionals. This variety offers a stimulating and rewarding teaching experience.
Salary and Cost of Living in Riyadh
Now let's delve into the salary expectations and cost of living in Riyadh for English teachers.
1. Initial Expected Expenses
When you first arrive in Riyadh, you can expect start-up costs of around $1,000 to $1,500 USD (3,750 - 5,600 SAR) approx. These costs include expenses such as transportation, groceries, setting up a local cell phone number, and other initial necessities.
2. Expected Salary
Even as a first-time English teacher in Riyadh, you can earn a competitive salary and enjoy various benefits. The average monthly salary for English teachers in Riyadh ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 USD (5,600 - 11,200 SAR) approx. This salary is tax-free and often includes additional benefits such as airfare, furnished housing, health insurance, and paid vacation.
3. Cost of Living and Savings
The cost of living in Riyadh typically ranges between $500 to $1,000 USD per month. With a moderate lifestyle, English teachers in Riyadh can save approximately $700 to $1,000 USD (2,600 - 3,750 SAR) per month approx. This allows for significant savings, enabling you to enjoy the cultural experiences and explore the country during your time off.
TEFL Teaching Career is Beneficial in Riyadh
Riyadh is one of the preferred destinations for almost every aspiring and experienced TEFL teacher. Because it has a plethora of opportunities for TEFL teachers and it also offers a different cultural experience with one of the best salary packages in the market and other benefits as well.
For those teachers who have pursued courses like Online TEFL courses, Saudi Arabia is open to welcoming them to teach their local people English. So, don’t wait any further, start your TEFL teaching journey today and embrace the rewarding experience of teaching English in Riyadh.
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Written By : Abhishek
