Hi Jossy,

Thanks for your question. It's definitely not always required to have a TEFL certificate in order to teach abroad, but it certainly helps. We actually just published an article about how to teach in Argentina that may help you.

Here are some more resources that may help you teach in some of the other countries you listed:

UAE - Teach Away Inc.
Oman - Footprints Recruiting
Netherlands - Teach Anywhere

I hope that helps. Good luck!
Andrew

Can I just tack on to that as well? I know this question is about certification for UAE but I'm interested in going to Vietnam and I'm not sure if I need certification before going.

Cheers!

Karin

Jossy, honestly, it really depends on WHERE you are looking to teach. If you want to teach in public schools, then the requirements may be less stringent (because the demand is always high); but if you want to teach in private schools (they pay the most by FAR and offer better security) you WILL need a English Teaching Certification along with a Graduate's Degree or higher. The UAE is known to pay some of the HIGHEST salaries/compensation in the world, BUT it absolutely demands that it get its money's worth when hiring someone as a professional in any field.

Check with the schools you are interested in applying to and see if they will waive that requirement, BUT make sure your resume/CV is absolutely spotless and puts you in the best possible light to compensate for not having the teaching certification. Also, don't expect to earn as much as someone who has a certification and a Graduate's Degree.

Karin, to be certain, being certified only HELPS you get a job. The certification along with a four-year degree makes you more marketable than someone who only has a four-year degree or only a certification to show. In this fiercely competitive and globalizing world, being marketable with your vocational skills/certifications and tenacity put you in a much better bracket than those who have less and are hoping for more. With Vietnam, again it depends one WHERE you want to teach: public or private schools?

One pays more than the other and offers more benefits, but requires more qualifications (not ALWAYS the case).