Graduate Interview: Urooj Teaching in Uzbekistan

In this article, we’ve had a chat with Urooj from Pakistan, who is a passionate English teacher currently working in Uzbekistan. She’s shared her insights on why she thinks you should consider Uzbekistan as your next teaching destination.

Choosing where to launch your next teaching adventure can be tricky, as there are many great destinations to choose between. While many teachers set their eyes on the already established regions, some decide to explore the more off-the-beaten-path type of destinations that have yet to explode in popularity.

Uzbekistan is one of these up-and-coming teaching destination that not only offers affordable cost-of-living and good salaries, but also a great work-life balance. This is something that teacher Urooj quickly realised after setting out on her new adventure abroad.

Join us as we explore Urooj’s insights on why you should consider teaching ESL through this initiative by the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Urooj’s interview:

💬 What made you decide to pursue an English teaching career?

“My love for English and teaching. I started teaching English because I’ve had an interest in it since quite a young age. I believe that sharing knowledge and helping others learn is incredibly rewarding, and my love for teaching serves as a powerful motivator.

Teaching English allowed me to make a positive impact on my students’ lives, while also fostering their language skills and cultural understanding.”

💬 Where do you currently teach, and how do you like the job?

“I currently teach English in a public school via the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan. My job includes teaching students from the grade 7-11. So far my experience has been great!

It’s very exciting as I get to learn about the culture of Uzbekistan whilst building my teaching career.”

💬 Have you taught in any other destinations before Uzbekistan?

“Yes, I have taught in Istanbul, Turkey as an ESl kindergarten teacher in a Canadian International School.”

💬 What made you choose Uzbekistan as your next teaching destination?

“The rich culture of Uzbekistan was one of the main reasons why I wanted to give it a go. Combined with my passion for teaching, it was a very exciting choice!”

💬 How does Uzbekistan compare to your previous experiences of working abroad?

“I’d say that Uzbekistan is a very competitive teaching market to get into, but once you’re in and start working everything is easier. The work-life balance in Uzbekistan is especially great!

One insight that I found interesting in Uzbekistani schools, is that the methods of teaching focus on keeping it quite simple yet effective.

The respect teachers receive in Uzbekistan is beyond anything I have ever seen. My amazing co-teachers have helped me throughout my journey here, and I’m very thankful for their support.”

💬 What kind of teaching qualifications do you possess?

“I possess a bachelor’s degree and a 120-hour TESOL/TEFL certificate from World TESOL Academy.”

💬 Would you recommend others to pursue English teaching certifications like TESOL/TEFL?

“Yes, of course! I definitely suggest other teachers to pursue their TESOL/TEFL certification. This certification has really helped me become a better teacher and develop a better understanding of ESL teaching.

One of the things that I found to be very useful is different teaching methodology and techniques that are taught in the course. They’ve helped make my ESL lessons more engaging and effective.”

💬 Could you tell us a little about your first week when arriving in Uzbekistan?

“I still remember my first week in Tashkent, Uzbekistan like it was yesterday. I arrived at the airport in the middle of night, and my co teacher was already patiently waiting to pick me up.

After exchanging our initial greetings, they accompanied me to my apartment, which turned out to be a brand new apartment! At the apartment complex, I met a lot of great teachers from many different countries who has since ended up being my friends.

After two days, it was time to visit the school for the first time. When I arrived at the school, I received a warm greeting from the principal, school teachers, and my students which was very touching.

One fun memory for me was the language barrier. Most of the time, I was able to understand Uzbek but I couldn’t reply them back. This resulted in some funny situations which helped lighten the mood and break the ice.

I feel that the first week was full of positive surprises, and it was perfect in its own way.“

💬 Could you give us a glimpse of what a typical workday looks like for you?

“A typical workday for me starts at around 8:00am, and the majority of the school lessons finish between 13:00-14:00. After my lessons, I will host an English Speaking Club which is designed to help my students to improve their speaking skills. Each week, I have to work 28 hours.

During my lessons, I work directly with an local co-teacher. We will prepare the lessons together which has made the lesson planning very efficient and effective.

After your lessons are finished at the end of the school day, you are free to do as you like. Most teachers will return back to their homes.“

💬 What’s the best thing about living and working as a teacher in Uzbekistan?

“The best thing for me has be to my students who are my strength and motivation! Whenever I enter the classroom and see their enthusiasm to learn English, I get the best feeling in the world as teacher.

The second best thing about working in Uzbekistan would have to be the perfect work-life balance.

As most school days finish quite early, you get a lot of free time in the evenings to go out and explore the beautiful city of Tashkent.

💬 Do you have any tips for teachers who wish to start teaching in Uzbekistan?

“Uzbekistan really is like heaven on earth for ESL teachers, as the living expenses as are low and salaries are good. As my teaching position was arranged through Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, I was blessed enough to have them set up everything for me.

For example, the whole visa process was taken care of by them, and they also handled all the practical processes such as opening my bank account.

One of the local tip is to always keep your phone charged and use a translation app such as Google translate, as that’s how you’ll communicate with the local people around you.“

💬 Is there something you wish you knew about teaching in Uzbekistan before going there?

“It might sound surprising, but there is nothing I wish I knew before because the job is amazing!

More over, Uzbekistan is great country to work in as it’s one of the safest countries to live in and Uzbek people are extremely humble and generous.“

💬 In which direction do you see your teaching career heading?

“For now, my focus is to teach ESL abroad in different countries and build great teaching portfolio.“

Final thoughts — Teaching in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is becoming increasingly recognised an ideal teaching destination for ESL teachers looking to explore new cultures while advancing their careers. With competitive salaries, a low cost of living, and a great work-life balance, it’s no wonder that ESL educators are starting to realise its potential.

As we’ve seen from Urooj’s experiences, this hidden gem in the heart of Central Asia offers more than just a job; it provides opportunities for both personal and professional development amidst a landscape rich with cultural experiences.

If you are interested in embarking on a new teaching adventure abroad, just like Urooj, now is the perfect time to take the first step and start your teacher training.