Teaching English in Yemen

Yemen Overview

Yemen is certainly not the first place you would think of when considering countries in which to teach English. Needless to say, security is a huge concern at present due to the severe political crisis and foreigners can be a target for violence. However, the difference that your efforts can make for the ordinary Yemeni people is considerable. There are a growing number of teaching opportunities but TEFL salaries are usually rather low and teaching resources are sometimes minimal or non-existent.

Type of Institution	Typical salary (USD/month)	Typical hours	Typical annual leave
Local schools and universities	800 – 1,200 upwards	7am – 4pm Monday to Friday	2-3 weeks plus national holidays
International schools	2,500 upwards	8am – 4pm Monday to Friday plus some weekend work	10 weeks plus national holidays

Main places for jobs

Sana’a.

Typical requirements

Degree, TEFL certificate.

Tips

1. Do as much research as possible into recent events of the ongoing crisis. You need to be as aware as possible of the situation for your security when living there. Bear in mind that travel to Yemen is currently inadvisable.

2. Teachers without experience may consider volunteering in Yemen at first in order to make contacts and gain an understanding of the country.

3. Be sure to negotiate with potential employers regarding the availability of free or subsidised accommodation in secure locations.

Red tape

Work permits must be arranged before you arrive in Yemen. This can take several weeks and must be done in conjunction with your employer.

Cost of living

Food and transport costs are low. Accommodation prices vary depending on your budget and preferred location. Security costs may be high so ensure that this is discussed in detail with your employer.

Tax and salary information

Where applicable, tax is normally paid monthly by your employer. You should receive your salary on a monthly basis unless otherwise stated in your contract.

Summary

You will be making a great contribution to the rebuilding of the country	Undoubtedly a dangerous place to live and work
Friendly local people	Generally poor resources
Certainly an experience you will remember for the rest of your life	The cultural differences associated with living in a Muslim-majority nation may be a shock to the inexperienced

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