English Teacher

Teach English (Secondary level) in Abu Dhabi: tax-free, with a school building something new

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Intake dates: January, April or August 2027

Package: Competitive, tax-free salary with a comprehensive benefits package

Interviews: In person in Ireland (dates to be confirmed, early December 2026)

Recruiting partner: WhiteCrow Research, on behalf of a confidential client school

Imagine teaching English to curious, bilingual students, with class sizes under 24, a capped teaching load and a Monday-to-Friday week. Then imagine your salary landing tax-free, your weekends on the beach or in the desert, and Europe, Asia and Africa all a short flight away. That is the offer.

About the school:

Our client is a well-established Abu Dhabi school at the start of an ambitious transformation. It is building an international teaching faculty and an international pathway in its senior grades, leading to Cambridge IGCSE. This is not a school that is standing still. You would join at the point where a new team shapes the curriculum, the culture and the standards for years to come.

Teachers who thrive here enjoy building something, and are curious about the culture they are joining. The school's name is shared with shortlisted candidates at interview stage.

The role:

You will teach English to students aged roughly 10 to 18 (Grades 5 to 12), building their grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing and speaking skills. You will report to the Head of English.

Your classroom brings together literature, composition and lively discussion. You will help bilingual learners grow into confident, critical readers and writers, and the senior grades follow the pathway to Cambridge IGCSE.

What you'll do:

• Deliver high-quality English lessons for a range of abilities and learning styles, using direct instruction, group work, discussion and digital tools.
• Plan lessons aligned to the department's English curriculum, bringing together literature, grammar, vocabulary and composition.
• Differentiate your teaching so every student is supported and stretched.
• Design and mark quizzes, exams and projects, give constructive feedback, and use assessment data to adjust your teaching.
• Develop students' critical thinking and analytical skills through literature and writing.
• Work with the Head of English and colleagues on department goals and cross-subject projects.
• Keep parents informed about progress, and take part in parent-teacher meetings.
• Lead or support extracurricular activities such as debating, literary clubs and writing competitions.
• Take part in department meetings, workshops and CPD.

What you'll bring:

Essential

• A degree in English, English Literature, Education or a closely related field, at 2:1 or above. A 2:2 is considered where you also hold a postgraduate qualification.
• A recognised teaching qualification, such as a BEd, or a subject degree plus a PME or PGCE.
• Registration with the Teaching Council of Ireland, or an equivalent teaching registration.
• At least 3 years of experience teaching English in a school.
• Excellent spoken and written English. English is the language of instruction.
• Strong classroom management and organisation.
• A collaborative, team-minded approach, with strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to engage and motivate students of varying abilities.

Package and benefits:

You keep what you earn: there is no personal income tax on employment income in the UAE. Full package details are shared with shortlisted candidates.

• A competitive tax-free salary that rises with your experience.
• Housing support, scaled to your family situation, with help covering upfront rent when you arrive.
• Flights home every year, plus family-friendly benefits for those relocating with a spouse or children.
• Comprehensive health insurance, extending to dependents.
• An annual performance bonus and an end-of-service gratuity under UAE law.
• A supported move: your flight out, temporary accommodation on arrival, and your visa and Emirates ID arranged and paid for.
• A manageable workload, with a capped teaching timetable and small classes.
• Real career growth: fully funded CPD and a clear path into leadership.

All benefits are subject to your employment contract.

Life in the UAE:

• Sunshine most of the year. Winters are warm, and there are beaches, desert, mountains and the sea within easy reach.
• A strong Irish community. Abu Dhabi has an active Irish Society and various expat clubs and communities, as well as plenty of Irish teachers who have made the same move.
• Safe, modern and easy to live in. The city is clean and well connected, and English is widely spoken day to day.
• The world on your doorstep. Europe, Asia and Africa are a short flight away, so school holidays go a long way.
• Real savings potential. A tax-free salary, a housing allowance and a flight home each year make it realistic to save while you travel.

How to apply:

Apply for this role now. A WhiteCrow recruiter will then contact you for a short screening call.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an in-person interview with the school's representative in Ireland, with dates to be confirmed. Virtual interviews may be considered in certain circumstances.

All applications are handled in strict confidence. The school is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all qualified teachers.