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English Teaching Jobs in
Qatar

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English Teaching Jobs in Qatar

With some of the highest salaries out there, Qatar is an appealing choice for TEFL teachers around the world.

TEFL jobs in Qatar

Qatar is one of the most lucrative countries to teach English in the world. An oil-rich Gulf state, Qatar’s global reputation has grown significantly over recent years. Major infrastructure projects and a World Cup have helped put the country on the global map, giving the country increasing influence and one of the world’s highest GDPs per capita. 

Arabic is the official language, but attempts are being made to make English a significant language in Qatar. English is the  most common foreign language taught in Qatari schools and is the primary language of international schools. Despite this, English proficiency nationwide  is comparatively low . Given Qatar’s reliance on international trade, this situation is one they’re trying to improve.

Demand for English teachers is high across state and international schools, with plenty of options for intrepid TEFL teachers who want to try out the  Middle East . In this article, we’ll explore the English teaching opportunities for TEFL teachers in Qatar. If you’re eager to find teaching opportunities with high salaries and well-funded schools, read on.

Quick Facts about Qatar 

  • Country Name: The State of Qatar
  • Capital: Doha
  • Official Language: Arabic
  • Population: 22 million (Worldometer)
  • Currency: Qatari riyal

Download our teaching English in Middle East & Africa guide

Types of English Teaching Jobs in Qatar

English teaching jobs in Qatar offer diverse opportunities across various educational institutions. There are options for teachers with different qualifications and experience levels, from government schools to private language centres. Here's an overview of the types of TEFL jobs available in Qatar:

Government Schools

Government schools in Qatar teach English from an early age. Qatar has prioritised English as the most important foreign language for young people to learn, meaning there’s a significant demand for teachers. Though you’ll have to deal with larger class sizes than in international schools or private schools, there’s been significant investment into Qatar’s state education system, which means facilities and support are usually excellent. 

English is an important subject from kindergarten to the end of high school, so there are opportunities for teachers who work best with young learners and those best suited to teaching teens. 

Basic requirements and qualifications

What do you need to start teaching English abroad in Qatar? Let's take a look:

TEFL Certification

To teach English in Qatar, you need a TEFL certificate with at least 120 hours of training. Advanced TEFL certification in Business English or Teaching Young Learners is beneficial. The majority of your audience as a TEFL teacher in Qatar will be children in the schooling system, or corporate clients.

Education Requirements

To teach English in Qatar, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree. This is to meet visa requirements. Higher-salaried positions will require a master’s degree or even a PhD. 

Visa and work permit requirements

How do you secure the right work permit and visa to work in Qatar?

The first and most important part of the process is landing a job. To begin the process, you must be offered a role as an English teacher in Qatar. An important note: your employer must sponsor your work visa application.

You’ll need to provide the following documents:

  • A valid passport
  • A signed employment contract
  • A medical certificate
  • A notarised, clean criminal background check

Once you're in Qatar, you need to obtain a Residence Permit. Your employer should help you with all the paperwork to apply for a residence permit, which will allow you to apply for a Qatari bank account.

To teach English in Qatar, you need to be under 55 at the time of your visa and work permit application.

Language proficiency

For TEFL talents who aren't native English-speaking teachers, finding work teaching English in Qatar can be more difficult. Generally, native English speaker teachers from English-speaking countries are preferred. However, it's not an entirely closed shop. If you meet the criteria for teaching jobs in Qatar, have extensive experience, and hold an IELTS or a TOEFL, options should be available to you.

Tip: It’s also a great idea to learn some Arabic before you head to Qatar. Besides helping you get acquainted with the local culture and navigating daily life, even basic Arabic can help you find jobs, network, and potentially land a better salary.

Read our Qatar Country Guide for info about salaries, living costs & requirements

Guide to Teaching English in Qatar

Salary & Benefits 

The average full-time English teacher's salary in Qatar is about QAR 9,428 - 17,441 (£2,000 - £3,700 / $2,588 - $4,789). These tax-free salaries mean you can save significant money while teaching in Qatar.

What about specific teaching jobs in Qatar? Generally, job adverts for TEFL jobs list a “competitive salary”, meaning it’s hard to know exactly what to expect from each role. However, we’ve crunched the numbers to provide a breakdown of the different types of salaries you can expect:

State schools

The typical salary for a state school employee teaching English in Qatar is between QAR 9,000 and 12,000 per month, equivalent to £1,909 - £2,545 / $2,471 - $3,294. 

State schools often provide teachers with free or discounted accommodation, flights and performance-based bonuses.

Private and international schools

Teaching jobs at international and private schools in Qatar can be extremely lucrative, albeit very competitive and high-pressure. The typical teaching salary starts at QAR 10,740 (£2,278 / $2,948) and, on the upper scale, can earn teachers as much as QAR 18,210 (£3,863 / $5,000) per month. 

Alongside a tax-free salary, private and international schools offer teachers generous benefits. Accommodation is usually included, flights are either reimbursed or paid for outright, performance bonuses are common, and you may also receive free Arabic lessons.

Universities

Salaries at Qatari universities can vary pretty widely, depending on the kind of teaching position you have. Long-tenured lecturers and professors can earn an excellent wage, whereas on the lower end, working as a language teaching assistant or a similar entry-level role will be less lucrative, albeit you’ll still earn a good wage.

Therefore, salaries for university teaching positions in Qatar range between QAR 10,000 and 24,000 per month (£2,121 - $5,091 / $2,745 - $6,589). Broadly speaking, benefits at universities are the same as in private and international schools: accommodation, flights, performance bonuses, and opportunities for professional development are common.

Language centres

The various language schools in Qatar offer an excellent route for less-experienced English teachers. Since they are privately run, they can vary in quality and salary.

Generally speaking, you’re likely to earn a salary of about QAR 8,000 - 11,000 per month (£1,697 - £2,333 / $2,196- $3,019) teaching English abroad in a Qatari language school. Language centres won’t offer as many additional benefits as elite institutions like private international schools or universities. However, they will likely offer accommodation assistance, free language classes and performance bonuses.

Country Avg. monthly salary Degree required Start of term Teaching experience Housing & flights included Suitable for non-native English speakers Age restrictions
Teach in Qatar
£1,968 - £3,690 GBP
$2,400 - $4,500 USD 		September None

How to Apply for English Teaching Jobs in Qatar 

Here’s a quick breakdown to nailing job applications for teaching positions in Qatar.

Find teaching jobs

Start with The TEFL Org Jobs Centre. Here, you can access all the latest TEFL jobs on the market, with plenty of opportunities in Qatar. If you take aTEFL certificate throughThe TEFL Org, you’ll have lifetime access to the Jobs Centre and can get updates on new teaching jobs.

Alternatively, there are Qatar-specific job portals like Indeed Qatar and Serious Teachers’ Qatar page, while LinkedIn is always a useful resource for finding teaching jobs.

Writing your application

Submitting generic responses is not the answer when applying for Qatari teaching jobs. You should tailor your CV for specific roles, summarising your skills and experience while highlighting where you’ve excelled in previous roles.

Your Cover Letter shouldexplain why you want to teach in Qatar, what kind of institutions you’ve worked in before, why a school should look for you specifically, and what you bring to the table. 

Interviews

Qatari schools will usually get back to you promptly, and if they like your application, you’ll be asked to interview for the position. Prepare for a TEFL interview by researching the company, putting together cohesive, detailed responses to common interview questions, and your own questions for interviewers.

Qatari employers value detail. They'll notice if you can ask questions that show you’ve properly researched the role and the institution.

Employers in Qatar

Here are some employers in Qatar who readily employ TEFL teachers from around the world:

ACS International School Doha teaches children aged 3 to 18. The best way to learn about current positions is at one of their recruitment fairs in Doha or the UK. In addition to a competitive salary, staff receive a range of excellent benefits.

The Educate Learning Center looks for native English speakers with post-secondary education and experience. Some knowledge of Arabic is preferred. They like candidates who are extroverts, highly organised, and professional. You must be comfortable teaching upper management in a corporate setting. Contracts are for at least one year, 40 hours a week (20-24 hours of teaching). 

Inlingua offers one-to-one and group classes, specialising in IELTS and TOEFL.

Newton Group comprises several International Schools in Doha, each with an excellent reputation. Contracts are for 2 years; you receive a furnished apartment, transport to and from work, annual return flights, and other benefits. Applications are welcome from teaching couples.

Oxford Learning hires native English speakers with TEFL qualifications to teach preschool-aged students through to college preparation classes.

Park House in Qatar was founded in 1994 and is part of the International Schools Partnership. Teachers primarily come from the UK and should be passionate about lifelong learning. The school is highly respected, with GCSE and A-level results well above UK averages and among Qatar's highest.

Get started teaching English in Qatar

So you’re ready to teach English in Qatar? If you meet the requirements and can’t wait to apply for jobs, here are some important tips to help you get started.

Prepare, prepare, prepare!

The more prepared you are, the better. Research Qatari culture, find out what you need for a work visa and residence permit, prepare all of your important documents (from your TEFL certificate to your criminal background check), and learn what’s required for different teaching jobs.

Learn some basic Arabic

Although you’ll be teaching in English, learning basic Arabic goes a long way. Daily interactions will be smoother, it’ll be easier to adapt, and you’ll be able tonetwork where other TEFL teachers can’t. You can learn Arabic through the University of Qatar or various course providers like Berlitz and Educate Learning Centre.

Network early and often

Networking couldn’t be easier these days but couldn’t be more crucial. Linking up with teaching groups in Qatar, utilising TEFL Facebook communities, meeting teachers on LinkedIn, and finding teaching conferences are essential work to do before applying for TEFL jobs.

Understand Qatari Culture

Understanding Qatar and the Middle East is important. Researching Qatar’s culture, customs, laws, and expectations is vital. This includes everything from basic greetings (a formal address is “Salam Alaykum,” and the response is “wa alaykum as-salam”) to work culture. If you’ve not lived in the Middle East before, the way of life and expectations can initially be a lot to adjust to. Researching what to expect beforehand ensures a smoother transition.

Key Takeaways

With so many great opportunities for English teachers, are you ready to start teaching English abroad in Qatar? Here’s a recap of some of the key points:

  • Average salary: English teachers in Qatar earn between QAR 8,000 – 24,000 (£1,700 – £5,100 / $2,200 – $6,600). These salaries are tax-free, and teaching jobs in Qatar often come with excellent benefits.
  • Common benefits: When you teach in Qatar, depending on the role, you're likely to receive free housing (or accommodation allowance), flight reimbursement, health insurance, and performance bonuses. Not bad!
  • Requirements: A bachelor’s degree, 120-hour TEFL certification, and teaching experience are essential. A master’s degree is usually required for university positions and in private and international schools.
  • Visa: A work visa and residence permit are required. Employers will sponsor your visa application.
  • Learn some Arabic: Even basic proficiency can help you network, and it impresses employers!

Explore job opportunities in Qatar

Unfortunately we don't currently have any jobs available in qatar. We update our job centre daily so check back soon!

More on English teaching jobs in Qatar

Frequently Asked Questions

    We searched for the most frequently asked questions about teaching English in Qatar. Here are our answers:

  • Q. How much do English teachers get paid in Qatar?

    In Qatar, TEFL teachers can earn between QAR 8,000 – 24,000 (£1,700 – £5,100 / $2,200 – $6,600), depending on qualifications, experience and the type of institution they work in. Senior lecturing positions at universities and teaching jobs in international schools offer high-end salaries.

  • Q. Are English teachers in demand in Qatar?

    Yes, English teachers are in demand in Qatar. There is significant interest in the English language, which is taught in schools, language centres and universities across the country. 

  • Q. Do I need to know Arabic to teach in Qatar?

    You may not need to know Arabic to teach English in Qatar, but it helps. Understanding basic Arabic will make everything from meeting people to finding jobs easier.

  • Q. Do schools provide accommodation and other benefits?

    Common benefits for teachers in Qatar include free housing (or an accommodation allowance), performance bonuses, annual flight reimbursement, and comprehensive health insurance.