Could you tell more about teaching license requirements in the UAE? Do CELTA and TEFL replace teaching license?

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gravatar-icon Posted on ยท by Neringa S.

Hi,

I'm in the process of registering my application on teachaway. I've completed TEIL I practicum and TEIL II practicum as an English teacher which stands for Teaching English as an International Language. These were part of my Bachelor's degree in English. I wonder if they can be accepted as part of my teaching license abroad? In addition to that, I' ve got TEFL certificate, BA in English and Master's in English Literature. Also, I've got two years of teaching experience in Norway and 3 years in Lithuania.
Do I have to take CELTA to qualify?

All the best,

Neringa

3 Comments

  1. gravatar-icon
    Brett M.
    April 11, 2018 at 1.03 pm

    Hi Neringa,

    Thanks for joining us on the forum! Do you have a teaching license (AKA teaching certificate)?

    It sounds like you have a lot of great qualifications and experience for ESL instructor roles or other roles that do not require a teaching license. There are lots of ESL jobs you can qualify for on Teach Away - and no, you do not need a CELTA unless a specific job specifies it asa requirement. I recommend checking out and applying for jobs you find in this section of the Teach Away site: https://www.teachaway.com/esl-jobs.

    All the best in your job search. Please let us know if you have further questions!
    Brett

  1. gravatar-icon
    Neringa S.
    April 11, 2018 at 4.38 pm

    Thank you Brett for the quick reply. I would like to ask you, what do you mean by "AKA teaching certificate."
    I wish to teach in the UAE but my application is not accepted. I always get a comment that I do not have a teaching license. If I take a CELTA in the UK, will I be accepted internationally as a licensed teacher (in the UAE)?

    Neringa

  1. gravatar-icon
    Brett M.
    April 12, 2018 at 12.57 pm

    Hey Neringa,

    Unfortunately a CELTA is not a teaching license.

    A teaching certificate and teaching license are the same thing; they can be used interchangeably, but may be referred to more commonly as one than the other depending on where you are. Teaching licenses are issued to teachers by their local government - the process can be slightly different from country to country. For example, in Canada, teachers attend teachers college after completing their four-year bachelor's degree and are then recognized as a teacher within their home province.

    On the other hand, a CELTA is a certificate for teaching English as a second language.

    With a CELTA or TEFL and a bachelor's degree, there are plenty of positions on the job board (https://teachaway.com/teaching-jobs-abroad) you may qualify for - including roles in the UAE.

    Here are all of our ESL jobs: https://teachaway.com/esl-jobs

    If you go to this page and look under "Similar jobs near United Arab Emirates", you'll find some ESL teaching roles in the UAE: https://teachaway.com/teaching-jobs-abroad?loc=United+Arab+Emirates++&jcat=ESL+Teaching&sub=All

    I hope this helps you in your job search, Neringa!

    Best,
    Brett