Abu Dhabi is a thriving metropolis filled with nightlife, parties, cultural experiences and beauty. It’s easy to see why people are moving there to teach and experience this wonderful place. 

When Sarah traveled there from the UK, she knew what to expect after holidaying there with friends. She shares her insight into life in Abu Dhabi in both the teaching professional life and social life.

 

 

Teaching

Are there any resources you would recommend a teacher use or have when they start teaching in Abu Dhabi?

Many of the schools are either British curriculum or American curriculum. There are ADEC Schools (Arabic schools for Locals) where you can get a job as an English teacher.

You get paid more here but it comes with some more challenges. Be prepared for the school to have limited resources but you can ask parents to donate things – they are usually very generous.

 

What curriculum guidelines do you use?

It really depends on the school curriculum. You might be using either the British curriculum or American curriculum.

 

Are there any helpful websites that link lessons or resources to Abu Dhabi curriculum?

We use Twinkl at my school. It’s a fantastic website which links to the UK curriculum, providing a huge range of lesson plans, worksheets and PowerPoints. It takes the stress out of having to create whole new resources each term.

 

Is there any key terminology teachers will need to know to help them teach in Abu Dhabi?

Not really. There are new subjects you might teach like Islamic studies, UAE studies and moral education but you either follow a text book or someone else will teach this.  

 

Living

Social life in Abu Dhabi

It’s great! If you love having an active social life, Abu Dhabi  is definitely the place for you. With plenty of brunches (all you can eat and all you can drink fancy buffets), pool parties, boat parties and ladies’ nights (free drinks for ladies) you won’t be stuck for choice.

 

Culture shock in Abu Dhabi  

Driving is atrocious, the roads are mental and the taxi drivers are half asleep. Abu Dhabi ’s traffic is usual jammed. I didn’t drive here for a few months. Taxis are super cheap though.

The dress code isn’t as strict as you would think. The sleeves on many of my tops for school were too short but all my evening wear was perfect – as short and as low cut as you like.

 

Is speaking a different language a barrier?

Being such a large tourist destination, you can find English translations in most places. All of the documentation and road signs are in Arabic and English. As for schools, most of the children have good English with varying levels of grammar but mostly understandable.

 

How do you find accommodation in Abu Dhabi ?

You will be offered staff accommodation by your school. The staff accommodation varies between schools. Mine was a single studio inside a villa in a remote location but other schools provide lovely one bed apartments. In my second year I took a housing allowance and now live in a fancier 4-bed apartment with three other girls. I have a gym and a pool in my block which backs onto the beach. Again, my allowance was quite low so I had to do a house share but other schools can provide a higher housing allowance.