There are very few places in the world that have transformed quite like Dubai. The most populated city of the United Arab Emirates, this Middle Eastern paradise definitely won’t let you down in terms of comfort, hot weather, and entertainment. So, if you’re interested in teaching English abroad, experiencing a fascinating culture, and making a good wage (almost tax free!) then Dubai could be the place for you.
Want more incentives? Here’s 5 extra reasons why you should consider teaching English in Dubai!
1. Range of spectacular hotels
Here at i-to-i we enjoy a bit of luxury and it seems the residents and tourists of Dubai do too. Home to the only seven star hotel in the world it would be rude to TEFL here without treating yourself to a couple of nights in a deluxe setting (and don’t worry, your TEFL wage will mean you can afford to indulge!)
If you aren’t used to working in high temperatures then it’s likely you’ll become exhausted quite quickly, so a weekend pampering yourself in one of Dubai’s premium hotels will be a great way to revitalise yourself.
Top Tip: Be sure to book your dream hotel in advance as occupancy rates are high and you don’t want to miss out.
2. One of the best-placed cities on Earth
I have no doubt in saying that Dubai is situated in one of the best places on the whole planet.
It’s not far from the Equator so it’s hot, hot, hot and you’ll get plenty of sunshine. It’s also positioned in the middle of Europe and Asia, so you can fly direct to hundreds of different places, and only be in the air for 6-8 hours (give or take). So, if you’re looking to easily explore lots of different countries on your time off, and perhaps meet up with fellow TEFL teachers, you’ve picked the right place to base yourself!
The location of Dubai has also given it a great variety of environments to explore. You’ll experience a mix of white-sand beaches, bustling marinas, rolling deserts full of wild grasses and date palms, the impressive Western Al Hajar mountains, and verdant natural parks in the city itself. There’s a part of the landscape to suit everyone!
3. It’s a shopaholic’s dream
Ranked second in the world for shopping, ahead of the likes of Paris and Hong Kong, Dubai truly is a great place for a bit of retail therapy after a long day in the classroom. The big shopping malls offer you just about anything you could want, but there are also some great specialist malls, that concentrate on one type of product. An example of this is The Karama which has a huge array of clothing shops. If you want to fit in with the local fashion then this is where you want to be.
BONUS: Dubai offers some of the world’s best prices on premium products, from clothing to watches and even to cars! So you won’t have to part with too much of your TEFL wage!
4. The active nightlife
This is one for all you party animals out there: the nightlife in Dubai is lively, wild and expanding. There is a range of bars and clubs from trendy cocktail lounges to traditional English and Irish style pubs. A big part of teaching English abroad is getting a feel for different cultures so there are also some typical Arab places to enjoy as well. Most of the bars and clubs serve food and put on some fantastic entertainment, like pianists and singers so you can really make a night of it. Find out more about teaching English in Dubai here.
5. The incredible sights
Underwater hotels, the world’s tallest tower and manmade islands, all in one city? That’s Dubai for you. It’s crazy to think that just a couple of centuries ago Dubai was just a very small and poor fishing village. Now the city is considered extremely modern and is inventing things we never would have ever dreamed to be possible, like buildings that spin! (Yes, really!) If you choose to teach in Dubai you’ll definitely feel like you’re at the forefront of the technology movement and you’ll get to see all the latest gadgets first!
So, are you itching to get yourself to this mind blowing city to experience all of this? Then I only have one question for you… WHAT are you waiting for?!
All you need to do to get started is get your TEFL qualification. Head to our courses webpage to find your perfect match!
Already TEFL qualified and ready to start looking for roles? Head to the LoveTEFL Jobs board for all the latest vacancies!