Teach English in Bahrain

Details

Summary

Moderate demand for teachers, but the best jobs are reserved for highly-qualified and experienced teachers

Main TEFL regions

Manama, Riffa

Types of teaching

Government ministries & training academies: General English, Business English, IELTS
In-company: General English, Business English
Universities: General English, Business English, IELTS
Primary & secondary schools: General English, English for Young Learners

Accommodation

Accommodation is usually provided by your employer, or they may give you an allowance that just about covers finding your own apartment.

Flight reimbursement

Most schools offer free flights either on their own or together with other benefits such as free health insurance.

Salary

You shouldn’t accept less than BD600 (US$1,600) per month, although it’s possible to make up to BD1,000 (US$2,700). If you can get them, private lessons will earn you BD15-20 per hour. Your qualifications make a big difference to your pay packet.

Taxes

Ahh! Tax-free earnings: music to a TEFL teacher’s ears!

Cost of living

As is typical of the Middle East, the cost of living here is high – similar to most European countries and probably slightly higher than other countries in the region. Your monthly groceries should be about BD150 (US$400) per month, but utilities are subsidized by the government, so your bills should be low if you can avoid blasting the air-con when it’s 110 degrees outside!

Alcohol is more freely available here than elsewhere in the Middle East (many westerners travel across the causeway from Saudi Arabia at the weekends), so going out could put a dent in your budget!

Potential to save money

If you live within your means you can definitely save money, although not quite as much as in nearby countries.

How much TEFL training is recommended?

A TEFL certificate is the minimum requirement for teaching out here and because of the emphasis on well-qualified teachers, the more comprehensive the better. i-to-i’s 100-hour combined program will give you a much better chance of getting a job.

Common teaching conditions

You may be expected to undergo training at your school to learn their “teaching system”, and the hours can be unsociable if you’re teaching people once they’ve finished work. Students tend to be focused, and you’ll even have some mixed-gender classes.

Be aware…

While Bahrain is one of the Middle East’s most liberal countries, teaching here can still be quite a culture shock, especially for women.

Although public drinking and smoking is allowed most of the year, it is forbidden during Ramadan. Drug use is forbidden at any time of the year, and the penalties are severe.