Page 25 - ELG1706 Jun Issue 448

FEATURES & COMMENT

MONEY MATTERS

Qualified English teachers in
Bahrain can realistically expect
to make $1,500 - $2,500 tax
free a month (that equals
565-950 Bahraini dinars). It
is easy to save while living in
Bahrain as salary packages
include generous benefits
such as shared furnished
accommodation – including bills
– flight allowance and health
insurance for you and your
dependants. A decent gym and
swimming pool as well as a roof
terrace are sometimes provided
with your accommodation.

The typical prices are:
n a cup of coffee 0.60 BHD
n a beer 1.20 BHD
FJACOBS - CREATIVE BEES n a meal in an average
n a cinema ticket 2.50 BHD
restaurant 9 BHD
n a month’s rent 360 BHD for a
two-bedroom apartment

FURTHER DETAILS:

Agencies to contact who recruit
teachers in the Middle East:
n International Teacher Plus:
www.internationalteachersplus.
com
for EFL teachers and for more senior jobs recommended as some of them have a n TIC Recruitment:
with managerial responsibilities. Besides a poor reputation. Hiring for teaching jobs www.ticrecruitment.com
compulsory minimum of two years’ teaching in Bahrain takes place throughout the year.
experience, a recognised qualification such Term dates in Bahraini schools generally n Teach Away:
as an RSA diploma or PGCE in Teaching coincide with those in the UK, with the www.teachaway.com
English as a Foreign Language (Tefl) is academic year starting in September and n Eteach international :
essential. lasting until early summer. www.eteachinternational.com
Does Bahrain offer any opportunities for What do you need to be accepted for the
private tutoring? job? For more practical information
Teachers may supplement their incomes by The requirements may vary slightly but on the Middle East try the Go
helping students prepare for exams or brush schools usually require a minimum of a Overseas website
(www.gooverseas.com).
up on their skills after they’ve failed. This university degree (BA) and a Tefl certification
work is seasonal and largely advertised in such as Celta, plus at least one year’s teaching
local newspapers or by word of mouth. experience. Though experienced licensed
Where are the best places to find teachers are preferred, practice shows
teaching jobs? that exceptions can be made. Since most
Because of its high demand and teachers are hired in advance from their
popularity, the job market in Bahrain is quite home countries, applicants are most likely to
competitive. Jobs for English teachers are go through the process of interviewing and
highly concentrated in and around Manama, procuring a visa, which may take between
the capital city of Bahrain. However, some one and three months. OLGA KRAVCHENKO
work is also available in other towns. The The costs of visas are usually covered by Freelance reporter
best way to find work would be contacting the employing school, and to receive the Olga Kravchenko is studying for
schools directly and, if you’re already in visa, teachers should expect to pass medical a masters degree in Tesol at the
Bahrain, going door-to-door with your CV. tests – and in many cases academic transcripts University of Westminster and
Getting as much information about the and a criminal background check may also be works at the University of East London preparing
school before signing a contract is highly necessary. students for IELTS.

editorial@elgazette.com 25

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