Bahrain

Situated off the southwest coast of the Persian Gulf, Bahrain is a force to be reckoned with. An archipelago state, Bahrain consists of 33 islands. The majority of the country’s 1.6 million people live on the aptly named Bahrain Island, which is also the largest of the archipelago. Bahrain’s tourism slogan, “Ours. Yours.” is a reflection of the welcoming, hospitable culture that the country is known for. Strong family ties and powerful community bonds abound in Bahrain, creating a warm, inviting backdrop against which to explore the country’s impressive array of attractions: from bustling souks and sleek malls to historic forts, renowned museums, pristine beaches, and a burgeoning culinary and art scene, Bahrain offers visitors no shortage of opportunities for discovery and delight. Geography & Climate Geographically, Bahrain is relatively small. Its 293 square miles stretch primarily across desert plains, and as such, you’ll encounter consistently hot, sunny weather throughout the year. Summers in Bahrain can get particularly sticky and humid, and many visitors tend to find winter the most enjoyable season with temperatures ranging between a moderate 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. History Bahrain has a long and storied past . The former pearling hub of the Persian Gulf has been home to various settlements and civilizations since 3,000 BCE, and renowned empires like the Assyrians, Persians, and Greeks have all claimed the territory we now formally know as the Kingdom of Bahra…

Each country has its own requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Bahrain. Education A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required to teach English in Bahrain, and a master’s degree (in any field) or teaching license is highly preferred. Many schools will seek out candidates in particular who have previous teaching experience and/or a teaching license from a country like the United States or the United Kingdom. Citizenship There is no citizenship requirement to teach English in Bahrain, but schools may prefer to hire citizens from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. English Fluency Schools typically prefer to hire native English speakers. Background Check While a 100% clean criminal record check is not generally a requirement to teach in Bahrain, some schools — especially international schools — might ask teachers to undergo a background check during the application process. Medical Check You must be mentally and physically healthy to work in Bahrain. A medical check is required to obtain your work visa, and you’ll typically be asked to undergo a cardiovascular examination, respirat…

Bahrain presents a lucrative and extremely competitive market for foreign English teachers. The country’s relatively small population size, coupled with the generous benefits its schools allot hired English teachers, allow Bahraini employers the opportunity to be picky with which educators they choose to bring on board. Nonetheless, the demand to learn English is high in Bahrain, thanks in large part to the country’s liberal business environment, globalized economy, and critical role in the international oil and gas market. Qualified English teachers in Bahrain will be able to find jobs at private language schools and international schools throughout the country. Both of these job types come with their own specific set of advantages, so you’ll want to understand the basic differences between them before you begin applying. Private Language Schools Private language schools are privately-run and typically for-profit language training centers that can cater to students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Many school-aged students will attend private language schools to supplement their public or private school language education, and adults will often attend private language schools to develop their foreign language competency and thereby advance their professional and career options. Unlike public or private schools, private language schools specialize solely in the teaching of foreign languages. Class sizes at private language schools will typically be small — teachers mi…

Now that you’ve acquainted yourself with some of the most popular job types of Bahrain, it’s time to start the application process. There are several steps to take to start the application process for Bahrain. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa will overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Teaching in Bahrain Timeline , as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on track with your documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with recruiters and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. To take a deeper dive into international resumes and cover letters, visit the Resume and Cover Letter section ! Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your drafts to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Photos As part of the application process, the school may request photos from you. A headshot photo is typical, which you can send with your application or attach to your resume. Don’t send any additional photos unless requested. Wear business casual clothing in your photos, in front of a neutral ba…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Bahrain and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Bahrain is 550 to 1,100 BHD per month — it’s a sizable range, and largely dependent on the teacher’s experience and school type (international schools tend to pay more than private language schools). Anything significantly lower or higher than this salary range should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like you’ll be working longer than average hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Teaching English in Bahrain is a full-time gig. However, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week (typically 35 to 40) to consider. Will you have to work in the morning f…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this process like a pro. Below, we’ll give a brief overview of Bahraini work visas and then dive into a deeper look at some of the documents you’ll be required to submit when applying for your visa. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Bahraini consulate or embassy to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Almost all teachers enter Bahrain on a work visa, outlined below. It is extremely uncommon and not recommended to teach under the table on a tourist visa or student visa, and there is no working holiday visa option for Bahrain. For these reasons, the work visa is almost always going to be your best bet for a successful move to Bahrain! Visa Types Work Visa What is it? All foreigners who have secured employment in Bahrain must obtain a work visa — you cannot work in the country without one. In order to obtain this visa, you will need to have accepted an offer and signed a contract with a Bahraini employer willing to sponsor your visa. How do you get one? In order to get a work visa, you will need to be formally hired by a registered Bahraini employer willing to sponsor your visa costs. Your employer will typically apply for this visa on your behalf at the Bahraini Labor Market Reg…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. More often than not in Bahrain, health insurance is provided by the employer as part of your compensation package. Check out the Accepting the Right Offer section to learn more! If for some reason health insurance is not offered by your employer or if you want to supplement your school’s health insurance plan, you will need to do your own research in order to determine which private plan options might be the best fit for you, your health needs, and any dependents you might be bringing abroad with you. With so many insurance options to choose from, picking out a good provider can be daunting for…

You have finally made it to the end of the Bahrain section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Bahrain. This timeline is not only for the planners and check-list lovers (although you will love this too). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Bahrain to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. While jobs in Bahrain can be found year-round, many schools ramp up their hiring in May through August, so try to apply to positions during these months. In order to use this timeline, just take your desired start date and subtract from there. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. Finding a Job in Advance 6 months before departure: Begin your research ___Read through ITA’s resources, attend a S tudent Affairs webinar ___Decide to work with recruiters, apply directly, or both! ___List out your preferences and priorities. ___ Chat with ITA alumni and read about alumni experiences. ___Reach out to your Student Affairs Advisor. ___Ensure your passport will be valid for at least six months past your anticipated return date or order a new passport. 4-6 months before departure: Begin compiling application and work visa documents ___Finalize your international resume and cover letter. ___Make a photocopy of your bachelor’s degree and …

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