Interested in teaching in Dubai? The following requirements must be met

Interested in becoming a teacher in Dubai but unsure how to begin? The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) regulates the requirements for school educators in Dubai, so in order to become a teacher in the Emirate, you must meet certain requirements and take certain courses. You must follow the following requirements and procedures. 

What is the process for becoming a teacher in Dubai?

Dubai requires an ‘initial appointment’ or a ‘teacher appointment’ before you can become a teacher. The KHDA states that once a private school in Dubai selects a teacher to fill an opening, the school must apply for the ‘Initial Appointment’ for the new hire. 

Qualified educational background

Depending on whether a teacher is a class teacher or a subject teacher, teachers must have degrees in specific fields:

In order to teach in a class, a teacher must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (B.Ed) or a postgraduate certificate/diploma in education, or a Master’s Degree in Education (M.Ed).

A subject teacher must hold a relevant bachelor’s degree.

An Educator Permit System registration is required once the teacher at a Dubai private school makes the ‘Initial Appointment’. School administration is responsible for this.

Language proficiency

Additionally, you must hold a certificate of proficiency in English, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). English language teachers, for example, must have at least a 7 on the IELTS scale (IELTS “good user”).

To be an English teacher, you must have an IELTS Band Score of at least 6 (IELTS “competent user”).

According to appropriate authorities and curricula, teachers who teach languages other than English must possess evidence of language proficiency.

Teaching English as a foreign language requires certain courses

Having a certification in teaching English as a second or foreign language is a must if you teach English Language as a subject. Qualifications accepted include the following:

CELTA (Certificate in English as a Foreign Language)

An English for speakers of other languages diploma (DELTA)

English as a Second Language (TESOL)

KHDA courses required

The KHDA also requires completion of two mandatory courses:

An advanced diploma or higher is required for a teacher preparation qualification.

KHDA will accept these qualification courses if you have completed them through a regional branch or university in the UAE of an international university. The only requirement is that the college or university be accredited by MOE or recognized by KHDA. Listed below is a list of KHDA-recognized higher education institutions.

It is possible to take a teacher preparation course at a KHDA-approved training provider if you do not have such a qualification. KHDA also provides a list of approved providers. Course fees vary depending on the training institute, however, if you take such a course, you’ll have to cover them.

Professional development must be mandatory

KHDA-approved training providers only offer this course, so you must take it with one of them. Through KHDA, you can also find a list of approved providers.

Legal requirements

In order to complete registration with KHDA, every teacher must possess the following:

Certificate of clearance from the UAE police

The school’s letter of recommendation for the teacher

In the UAE, an employment-related medical screening is required.