10 Tips For Getting
Hired as a Teacher

Teaching Job Resources

Arabic Teacher Jobs

Arabic, as we know, is not a single language. People in the Arabic-speaking world live in a state of diglossia, where there are two versions of Arabic being used. There is Modern Standard Arabic, which is the language of politics, law and business. This is taught in schools throughout the Arab world as well as the wider flung Islamic world, is the lingua franca, the language of the Qur’an, and is the one thing that unites the Arab worldh. The other language is the spoken mother tongue of whichever country you happen to be in, the colloquial language of everyday. In Morrocco and Algiers, it will include Berber and French, for example. This is one thing that divides the Arab world.

Modern Standard Arabic is most often taught in antiquated mode. Given the advances in the teaching of languages in the rest of the world, it is quite astounding that the teaching of Arabic is still performed in this ineffective manner. Teaching materials are notable for their singular lack of appeal to the young and make it difficult to motivate the youth to learn their language in the face of competition from languages like English and French, backed as they are with fantastic resources and methodologies, culture and music. An Arabic teacher who is able to overcome these obstacles will have an easy and enjoyable job of teaching Modern Standard Arabic.

Arabic teachers have access to all kinds of Arabic Teaching jobs. They can teach any age, from kindergarten to postgraduate and every shade in between. They can teach in an educational establishment or provide private lessons. They can teach non-Arabic speakers and they can teach within or outside the Arab world.

If you are outside the Arab world and want to teach Arabic in a school setting, look for an Islamic school, an International school (usually private) or a university. Many will specialise in languages or have language departments. You will need to research the different types of schools and match your skills to their requirements. You may wish to register on an online jobsearch site, there are many worldwide that target teachers spoecifically.

You may be more interested in providing private lessons and are willing to design your own curriculum to match the needs of your student. There are two sets of people you can reach to offer your services. One is the Students of Arabic as a Foreign Language and the other is the Expatriate communities.

If it is the Expats you are after, then find any one of the multitudes of Middle Eastern grocery stores throughout the world and ask if you can place an advertising card in their window. Another method would be to contact your local mosques and ask if they need teachers. You may also wish to contact churches of the many Eastern Rites and enquire whether they would be able to help you find clients. Most have a database of worshippers and publish a newsletter.

To offer your services to the local population of the country you are in, your best bet is to approach the local adult community schools and colleges. You will want to have a curriculum ready to show at interview so make sure you are prepared.

Do not forget the Arabic Teacher’s greatest friend when seeking a job: networking. Let people know what you do whether in person or online. Find a community or several communities to participate in and you will be surprised at how opportunities come your way.