School teaching jobs in Qatar have a reputation as being some of the best English teaching jobs around, so it’s no surprise that every year thousands of teachers flock to the country in order to earn a higher salary and gain valuable work experience.
If you’re thinking of joining the teaching diaspora and heading out to the Middle East, there are some things you should know before you go. It’s a very different culture and way of life, so it pays to do some research before you commit yourself to anything.
Read on to discover the advantages of teaching abroad and some of the top tips for applying for jobs in Qatar.
Get your qualifications in place
Get your qualifications in place. If you’re coming from the US or Canada, then your degree will be recognized as long as you come from an accredited institution. For everyone else, it’s essential that you have at least a bachelor’s degree, plus a recognized teaching qualification like PGCE or TESOL/TEFL.
If you’re coming from outside the UK, then your qualifications will also need to be assessed to see if they are equivalent to those required by UK schools. The British Council can help with this process so ensure that your paperwork is in order before you submit an application.
Get ready for a real adventure
You’ll be working with children from many different countries, and you’ll get to learn about their unique cultures. As a teacher, your job is to help children develop the skills they need to grow into responsible members of society. This is an amazing opportunity to watch them discover who they want to be.
Choose the right school for you
As with any industry, not all schools are created equal. For example, some schools follow American curriculum standards while others follow British or international standards. If you’re willing to move anywhere, it’s easy to find a job that matches your interests and qualifications.
If you prefer to stay within a certain region of the country, keep in mind that some private schools are reserved for students from specific countries or regions.
Research the schools you’re applying to. How big are they? What curriculum do they follow? What kind of teachers do they hire? It’s crucial that you make sure your new school will be one where you can flourish.
This means taking into account both their vision and philosophy and their approach to work-life balance. For example, some schools expect teachers to work very intensively when the children are in class but give them time off during holidays, while others have lower expectations for class time but ask teachers to complete lots of paperwork and lesson preparation.
Both are fine, just ensure that what’s expected fits with your future goals and personality.
Familiarize yourself with the area you will be working in
Familiarize yourself with the area you will be working in. This is especially important if you are going for a short contract as you will want to make sure. That you see everything there is to see in the time that you have available.
Find out as much as you can about your new job before you get there. Many schools hold induction days, so make sure that you get invited along and take advantage of the opportunity.
The more familiar you are with the school before you start, the easier your first day will be. It also helps if you find out about the curriculum and any particular targets or challenges that your students may have.
