| Country | Avg. monthly salary | Degree required | Start of term | Teaching experience | Housing & flights included | Suitable for non-native English speakers | Age restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teach in Saudi Arabia | £1,711 - £3,662 GBP $2,133 - $4,532 USD | August | under 55 |
English Teaching Jobs in Saudi
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Hot weather, great salaries and a range of institutions – learn why Saudi Arabia is a unique market for potential English teachers.
Teaching English in Saudi Arabia offers a hot climate and some of the highest teaching salaries in the world. With opportunities from prestigious international schools to private tutoring, Saudi Arabia is an attractive destination for qualified ESL teachers. Cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Makkah provide access to a strong education system, international facilities, and a growing demand for teachers.
There’s also no shortage of things to do in a country steeped in history and culture. Whether it’s a trip to the cosmopolitan city of Jeddah on the Red Sea or hiking and camping in the desert, there’s something for everyone.
This article will help you to find teaching jobs in Saudi Arabia and give insights on the kinds of jobs and salaries available to first-time English teachers. Let’s look at the opportunities to teach English in Saudi Arabia.
Quick facts about Saudi Arabia
- Capital: Riyadh
- Official Language: Arabic
- Population: 34.4 million (Worldometer)
- Currency: Riyal (SAR)
Teaching jobs in Saudi Arabia: an overview
The state of English education in Saudi Arabia is unique. While English has been a compulsory subject at school since 2004, the national level of proficiency is still lacking by international standards. (EF's English Proficiency Index ranks Saudi Arabia 105th of 116 nations.) Given Saudi Arabia’s enormous growth, love for English-speaking popular culture and worldwide presence, this level of proficiency is surprising
What’s more, the state of education in Saudi Arabia is decent. Both female and male literacy is around 99% in Saudi Arabia. English is the language of business (and is also commonly used in advertising and media), and many international schools, universities, and language schools teach English as a foreign language or have lessons provided by ESL teachers.
So, why does Saudi Arabia underachieve in English? It’s hard to say, but it’s a good situation for TEFL teachers who want to teach English abroad there. English teacher jobs typically pay verywell, and although the teaching requirements are considerable, the monthly wages on offer are typically excellent.
Requirements for teaching English in Saudi Arabia
What do you need to land teaching jobs in Saudi Arabia? Here’s a quick summary.
- To teach English abroad in Saudi Arabia, you must have TEFL certification (of at least 120 hours)
- Teachers in Saudi Arabia need at least a bachelor's degree, preferably in English or a related field. Higher-salaried positions usually require a master's degree.
- Preference is typically given to those from native English-speaking countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
- Don’t worry if you’re a non-native English speaker. In that case, you can prove fluency through an IELTS or TOEFL certificate or a degree from an English-speaking university and still teach English in Saudi Arabia.
- You'll need a clean criminal record
- You must pass medical checks
- To teach English in Saudi Arabia, you must be under 55 when you apply for a TEFL job.
These requirements must be met to receive a work visa. Once you’ve completed the visa process and your employer has provided the Saudi government with everything you need for a work permit, you can apply for a residence permit.
Teaching experience is enormously helpful, but it's not necessarily a prerequisite for a visa. Individual TEFL jobs in Saudi Arabia will have their own teaching experience requirements.
Tip: Advanced TEFL certification helps. If you can attain TEFL qualifications in Business English, teaching young learners or English for academic purposes, you’ll have a real advantage, especially when it comes to tutoring.
Types of English teaching jobs available
What kinds of English teaching jobs can be found in Saudi Arabia? Here are your best options:
International schools
In terms of salaries and incentives, the best opportunities for teachers can be found in Saudi Arabia’s international schools. Typically, these schools have some of the best facilities, the smallest class sizes, and the most lucrative salaries and bonuses, but they’re not like most TEFL jobs.
To get a job teaching English at an international school in Saudi Arabia, you’ll need:
Native speakers are usually preferred, but if you can prove fluency as a non-native English speaker, private international schools should still consider you.
- A teaching license
- At least a master’s degree
- Impressive experience on your CV (including experience in Saudi Arabia or international schools specifically)
- At least one TEFL certificate
Salary and benefits
Teaching English in Saudi Arabia can be a great financial decision, as well as a unique teaching experience. There’s no income tax in Saudi Arabia, as is often the case while teaching English in the Middle East, so English teachers can save even more. If you’re looking to save while teaching English abroad and have the requisite qualifications and previous experience, teaching jobs in Saudi Arabia are well worth moving for.
What is the average pay for English teachers in Saudi Arabia? Teaching jobs in Saudi Arabia typically pay a monthly starting wage of about SAR 8,430 - 18,044 (£1,711 - £3,662/$2,133 - $4,532), which is tax-free.
Private international schools and similar elite institutions offer significantly better salaries to long-tenured teachers with plenty of previous experience teaching English. Additionally, pay is better in cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, and naturally, you'll be paid more if you have higher qualifications and extensive teaching experience.
English teaching jobs in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East also typically come with excellent bonuses. It’s common to hear about flight reimbursement, performance bonuses, free medical care, annual bonuses, free enrollment at schools for dependents, accommodation, and other perks while teaching English in Saudi Arabia.
How to find English teaching jobs in Saudi Arabia
The best way to secure teaching jobs in Saudi Arabia is through ESL jobs boards and recruiters. Unfortunately, it’s not the kind of country where turning up with a CV will do the trick. With such lofty requirements for English teachers, you need to be able to provide evidence of your various necessary qualifications and teaching experience.
Your best bet is to start looking online first. The TEFL Org Jobs Centre can help you find jobs teaching English in Saudi Arabia and opportunities to teach English all over the world.
Additionally, Naukri Gulf is an excellent resource for finding English teaching jobs in Saudi Arabia. Serious Teachers is another job site worth searching, as are Guardian Jobs, Seek Teachers, and Reed, the recruiter. These job sites are great for finding opportunities for ESL teachers from the kindergarten level up to tutoring adults. They typically advertise roles from schools hiring ESL teachers across Saudi Arabia, so it's not just limited to major cities like Riyadh or Jeddah.Global Recruitment Solutions is based in Wales and finds candidates for opportunities to teach English in Saudi Arabia (as well as covering the IT, Oil & Gas, and Hospitality sectors). ESL teachers are welcome to apply.
Gold Star TEFL Recruitment is a well-known recruitment agency that can find TEFL jobs in multiple locations. While predominantly hiring for the Chinese market, Gold Star agents can also source jobs in Saudi Arabia.
Interlink Language Centers hire predominantly native speakers of English with a passport from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, the UK, Ireland, or South Africa. You need a TEFL certification and a master’s in TEFL or a related field, like the English language. You must also have at least 2 years of experience teaching English to adult students and 1 year of experience living abroad.
Get started teaching English in Saudi Arabia
Teaching English in Saudi Arabia is an opportunity to earn an excellent living in a range of different educational environments. With a range of schools, demand for English language education, and a host of benefits on offer for teachers, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can be an appealing destination for TEFL teachers.
Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re planning on teaching abroad there:
- Cultural sensitivity is paramount, and understanding and respecting Islamic customs and traditions is crucial for teachers.
- Bureaucracy can be more complex in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, so thorough research and patience are essential for ESL teachers when navigating the visa and work permit processes for teaching jobs in Saudi Arabia.
- The best opportunities usually come from networking. We recommend that you network extensively with other teachers and recruiters. ESL conferences are relatively common in Saudi Arabia, but you can also join online forums and connect on LinkedIn and Facebook
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to specific schools in Saudi Arabia, highlighting any relevant teaching experience. Learn basic Arabic phrases to demonstrate cultural awareness and build rapport with students and colleagues.
- To teach English abroad in Saudi Arabia, you must have TEFL certification (of at least 120 hours) and at least a bachelor's degree, preferably in English or a related field. Extensive experience is usually required.
If you’re interested in other options near Saudi Arabia, read our guide to teaching English in the Middle East to get a fuller understanding of the region.
More on English teaching jobs in Saudi Arabia
Teach English in Saudi Arabia
As a conservative country with numerous customs that TEFL teachers may find restrictive, Saudi Arabia doesn’t suit everyone, but offers great rewards to the right sort of teacher.
Explore job opportunities in Saudi Arabia
Unfortunately we don't currently have any jobs available in Saudi Arabia. We update our job centre daily so check back soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I get an English teaching job in Saudi Arabia?
Teachers can best find work teaching in Saudi Arabia through online job boards like The TEFL Org Jobs Centre. Networking is key - some of the best opportunities in Saudi Arabia tend to come through word of mouth and making connections.
Q. How much does an English teacher get paid in Saudi Arabia?
ESL educators teaching in Saudi Arabia can expect a monthly wage of about SAR 8,430 - 18,044 (£1,711 - £3,662/$2,133 - $4,532) and significant benefits, including accommodation, flight reimbursement, and bonuses.
Q. Which country has the highest demand for English teachers?
Due to its size and population, China has the highest demand for English language education worldwide. However, the Middle East, Mexico, Spain, South Korea, and Japan also have sizable demand for ESL teachers, and there are always jobs online!
These are some of the top questions prospective teachers ask about English education in Saudi Arabia.