What qualifications do I need to teach English at Kindergart...

I would recommend getting in contact with prospective employers and seeing what they require that’s probably the only way to be really sure. If you get no joy with this route then try and contact the British council in place in-which you wish to work since they should also know.
hope this helps

Some schools may take you with what you have at Kindie level but if you plan to stay in teaching and make a career of it get do your post grad teacher training and get teacher certification (OTS in England) as soon as possible. You will be able to command a higher salary and be more mobile. For example, with a PGCE you can teach in Brunei and Malaysia which have excellent salaries.

AS I understand, they want an early childhood. Used to be able to work without that one, but now it may well have changed. Of course, you should always contact the organisation concerned, since they may take a young learner certificate

Heck Michelle, most countries will take you just because your a native speaker. However, be sure about the salaries because some schools will screw you once your there. A safe bet you won’t get screwed are countries in the UAE, other Saudi schools, and Japan. If you are qualified to teach kinder in your country you will be qualified to teach in Abu Dhabi most likely. If you are certified, even better. I agree with the others. Ask the host schools specifics, and if you do not have them ask them if they will work with you or accept you with what you have. If they don’t someone else will.

I am currently working in Egypt and I have found that most Arab countries are the same. Schools here are a business and some are better than others. The better the school the more credentials they want. The basic qualifications are that you are a Native English speaker, then they will ask for a TEFL or a CELTA, and then they want you to be a certified teacher in your own country. Any other specs. would be up to the individual school. Be careful with the school that you choose because there are many bad ones. I don’t have any experience with the UAE but I know of many places in Egypt that are really bad. Be careful and do your research very well before you choose. Good luck!

If you do take a post teaching in the gulf, make sure you get your money out of the country on a regular basis.

What is PGCE and how do I get it.? I have taught for four years in Thailand ,but did not need this .

In my experience of the Middle East region, certainly the pieces of paper help, especially if you can boast a PGCE(QTS) or Masters, however, as cynical veteran of the Middle East, I may upset some people (I apologize in advance), I believe your passport from the 7 English speaking countries is the key, along with a fair skin, and depending upon the status of the school, it all adds to discriminatory prestige by Age and colour. IF you want a long term career in the region, my advice to you is take what’s on offer, build up your credentials, and once you are in the region, it’s simply a word of mouth and local knowledge which will take you up the ladder to the next great post What actually matters is Respect for the culture, and people’s dignity, and does not matter what qualifications you have, they will give you all you want! I have known mediocre and inept teachers survive in the region for upwards of 25 years plus, and to put them in a “Western style class”, they would be no better than basic NQT’s! Enjoy Abu Dhabi- I had two great years there!

I am in a similar situation. I have tried for years to secure a teaching position in Asia. I am an experienced teacher in public and private schools, fluent in the English language, and I hold three university degrees. I rreceive contacts. But, so far, I have not had any luck. I know that the competition is fierce. I hope I find success, soon.

Warren Prince, M.A.

I have Certificate in Education and have and continue to teach Kindie now....but I dont know for that part of the world sorry.

Michelle please learn not to say ’I ’only’ have a degree in Media Writing and TEFL.’ I have some great degrees in Media Writing & TEFL carries more confidence. It may take some persistence to a get job in UAE, they demand state certified teachers as a minimum requirement. They like experience as well. Other qualified teachers apply for these openings so there is some competition but realize most ESL teacher don’t meet the requirements so they cannot get a teaching job in UAE so that makes for less competition. A recruiter can help a great deal as they aren’t paid until you have the job. They can save you alot of time in not having to apply to so many jobs. As Talit said ’respect’ is important especially if yr interviewers are arabic. I’ve had 3 interviews: 2 by phone, 1 of which I received a job offer, 1 by skype video interview which is pending, and one coming up in person in Houston for a Saudi oil company. It takes some perseverance but I know I will teaching over there within the next 60 days.

Michelle, I had a bad experience teaching kids in Dubai. You might want to reconsider. First of all, the kids are awake all night and they eat lots of chocolate. Secondly, most schools in the UAE defer to the parents' complaints. It is nearly impossible to have a safe learning environment with five or more ADHD kids. You will be pulling your hair out from the stress. I tried every bag of tricks in my arsenal to have a normal lesson with the crazy coordinator breathing down my neck. Furthermore, they lured me there on the promise of a good salary and a promotion. It never happened. I ended up leaving there without my full contracted salary and they never did my work permit either. Even if you sign a contract, they can cancel it at any moment, for any reason. The only way you can be guaranteed to have a real job is to sign with a reputable school. Do your homework and good luck!

I have worked in the UAE on 2 occasions. Abu Dhabi has very strict control over hiring teachers. Try one of the smaller schools in Sharjah. Victoria International School is always looking. It is getting your foot in the door that counts. However, keep in mind the parents control the school. They are rude, arrogant and believe they have so much money they can treat you any way they wish. I was actually threatened by a father of one of my students. He was going to have me run over by one of his cars. The school did nothing and laughed it off. Needless to say I told the school to take a hike. Never again.