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How to Begin Teaching in Bahrain
Bahrain is a small country, which is situated between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Bahrain is a small country in the Middle East, situated between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. This makes this country an ideal place to create as your base and to use it to visit other places in the region. Bahrain is a multicultural country with quite a liberal culture, compared to its neighbour Saudi Arabia. This does not mean that there are no rules. Alcohol is prohibited for Muslims and women, even foreign women, need to dress modestly. This means no shoulders, knees or cleavage on display in public. Homosexuality is also illegal and carries severe punishments. Those ex-pats who respect the local customs are generally welcomed by Bahrainis.
Although small in size, Bahrain’s fortune has been linked to its relationship with water. The pearls along its coast helped to make the country’s original fortunes. The name Bahrain means ‘two seas’ and the sea on its shores makes this country an attractive oasis in a dry and hot region. Bahrain also has some interesting sites to visit. The World Heritage Site at Qala’at is one of these. The exquisite Portuguese Fort is worth exploring within this complex. The Barbar Temple and the Al-Areen wildlife park are also popular with visitors. Another place to explore is Sar, the ancient burial site from the Dilmun period. The capital city of Manama is also home to the impressive National Museum.
The largest flag in the world at one point was in Bahrain, a Guinness world record at 169.5m long and 97.1m wide. The distinctive five red points represent the five pillars of Islam. The flag originally has 28 white points, but this was reduced to eight in 1972 and finally five in 2002.
If you are a wildlife lover then perhaps Bahrain is the place for you because there are more than 330 species of bird in the country. Particularly interesting is the Chlamydotis Undulata, a globally endangered species is a regular migrant in the autumn. It is a vitally important country for the breeding of the Socotra cormorant with up to 100,000 pairs registered in the Hawar Islands.
Teaching Opportunities
English is considered the second language of Bahrain and is embedded in the country’s national curriculum. This does not mean that Bahrainis do not need English. Instead, there is a demand for native speakers. The learners are open, welcoming and eager to learn. The main areas in which to find EFL opportunities are Manama, the capital city, and Riffa, the tourist area of the country. There are good opportunities for those who have a 120-hour certificate and a degree. Most jobs can be found in private language schools and there are also good opportunities to make money for those who wish to give private tuition.
It is important that you apply for a job beforehand due to the strict immigration laws. You will need a work visa to pass through immigration. Contracts are usually for 20-25 hours of teaching per week. Jobs can be found online, or are sometimes advertised in the Guardian in the UK. The advantage of working in Bahrain is the high tax-free salary and the benefits packages that come with the job. These include reimbursed airfares, furnished accommodation and health insurance. The cost of living is high, but your salary will not only cover your living costs but allow you to save.
Teaching Requirements
-
Degree Requirement
BA/BS degree required -
Typical Contract Length
12 - 24 Months -
Peak Hiring Seasons
May - August, all year round -
Visa Info
Work visa in advance -
Typical Students
Business professionals, children -
Average Monthly Cost of Living in Local Currency
500-800 BHD -
Average Monthly Salary in Local Currency
902-1,800 BHD
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