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ClarkeDawson
Joined: 20 Mar 2011 Posts: 2 Location: China
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:50 am Post subject: Job prospects with 2.5 years experience + few qualifications |
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Hi everyone,
I'm thinking of moving to Egypt after my current job ends in May, and I'm not sure where to start.
I have two and a half years experience teaching ESL, some adults but mostly kids. I have a rubbishy TEFL qualification that isn't worth the paper it's written on. I have a BSc in a subject not remotely related to EFL. I've pretty much decided to do the CELTA in June when I go back home, but I know that lots of jobs want your experience to be post-CELTA, which unfortunately disqualifies me from some of the better schools like the British Council.
So where should I start? I've read some of the other threads about this, but tbh found them a bit confusing, and I know that the situation has changed a great deal in the last several months, with visa laws being better enforced, etc. It seems like lots of the jobs available are in international schools, but I'm assuming that without a PGCE I won't qualify? What are the best language schools for me to apply to? Any idea roughly how much I could expect to make?
I'm British, if that influences things at all. I've seen job ads that specify needing a British or Egyptian passport - is it easier for Brits to get a visa than other nationalities?
Thank you kindly, everyone! |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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In the past, the British Council did the CELTA course in Cairo. That might make sense for you. Get it there and you have a month to scope out the job market. At the moment, the bad press is keeping people away, so I doubt that employers other than those at the top - like AUC or Cairo American College (K-12 American school) - are being terribly choosy right now.
Your biggest problem will be finding an employer who will give you a legal visa.
VS |
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ClarkeDawson
Joined: 20 Mar 2011 Posts: 2 Location: China
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:07 am Post subject: |
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That is great advice, VS, thank you! I hadn't thought of doing my CELTA in Egypt, but it makes sense since it seems like there's not much online recruiting. I guess I'm just going to have to put in the foot work if I want a job.
Do you think it's worth me trying to apply to some of the lower end K-12 schools, or should I skip it altogether and just look at ESL? I'm thinking the K-12 schools would be more likely to get me a legal visa, and if they're not being choosy right now I might just be able to sneak in there. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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Did you read the sticky at the top of this page, "A Primer"? It is not a new post, but the realities should be similar.
If I were you, I would do the CELTA... as it is something that will be useful for you in future job possibilities. And again, use the time you are studying for it to research *all* kinds of job opportunities and visa issues. (this will probably be your biggest problem I fear)
VS |
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OzMak
Joined: 14 Dec 2011 Posts: 34 Location: Australia
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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Since the takeover of the new government they've become quite strict with residence and work permits. In the past you could've overstayed your visa by a month or so (speaking for myself) and not have any penalties imposed on you when you exit the country. However, now there are penalties depending on how long you have overstayed your visit here. Egypt is one of the few countries in the world where you might just find almost every nationality in the world bar a few, so it leads one to believe there are many issues with too many overstaying here. If you find a decent employer perhaps they can take care of the work permit issue for you although it is a nightmare to get your residence here if you do it on your own. Trust me. |
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justcolleen
Joined: 07 Jan 2004 Posts: 654 Location: Egypt, baby!
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 9:54 am Post subject: |
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OP, I've sent you a PM. |
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PierogiMonster
Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Posts: 148
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Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2013 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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Although experienced and well-qualified (PGCE, BA English), it was only when I got my CELTA in Sep 11 that I was able to start thinking about British Council positions.
I work at BC Cairo now. I came here as part of a regular tranch of recruits on a training programme. This programme accepts fresh-faced CELTA graduates as well as those more died-in-the-wool, like myself, who had less than the two years post CELTA.
Point is: if you're set on Egypt, apply for the CELTA course run at BC Cairo, do well and you've a good chance of getting a full-time job there straight away, like several of my new colleagues.
PM me if you like. |
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william0dark30
Joined: 18 Jun 2013 Posts: 5
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Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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Be ready to pay a hefty fee for the course.
I believe it's around 14,000 pounds!
Well, I guess that you could make the argument that knowledge is priceless, and that by getting the CELTA, you would be making a smart investment. |
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PierogiMonster
Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Posts: 148
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Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:26 am Post subject: |
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If you're at all serious about teaching as a long-term, career option the least you should do is take the CELTA. Then maybe the CELTAYL for the kids and possibly a DELTA in the future. |
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sicklyman
Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 11:38 am Post subject: |
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PierogiMonster wrote: |
If you're at all serious about teaching as a long-term, career option the least you should do is take the CELTA. Then maybe the CELTAYL for the kids and possibly a DELTA in the future. |
all very good advice although the qualification for kids is called the CELTYL.
And just to be clear, William is talking Egyptian pounds, not pounds sterling! |
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Yosra
Joined: 21 Feb 2011 Posts: 8
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Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 1:39 pm Post subject: Not Recommended |
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Asalamu Alaykom,
I'm not sure if Mr. Dawson is still considering Egypt at this time. I am here now and I would not recommend it for someone who has no previous experience in Egypt. This is not a good time to be a newbie. Those who would normally give assistance are really overwhelmed and unable themselves. Without that support, someone new to Egypt would fail or fall victim.
All of what I said goes double for women. A foreign woman alone in Egypt now is in danger. Things are normally tougher for a single woman here but this is now to the extremes.
Inshahallah, there will be another (safer) time. |
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justcolleen
Joined: 07 Jan 2004 Posts: 654 Location: Egypt, baby!
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Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 4:37 pm Post subject: Re: Not Recommended |
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Yosra wrote: |
Asalamu Alaykom,
I'm not sure if Mr. Dawson is still considering Egypt at this time. I am here now and I would not recommend it for someone who has no previous experience in Egypt. This is not a good time to be a newbie. Those who would normally give assistance are really overwhelmed and unable themselves. Without that support, someone new to Egypt would fail or fall victim.
All of what I said goes double for women. A foreign woman alone in Egypt now is in danger. Things are normally tougher for a single woman here but this is now to the extremes.
Inshahallah, there will be another (safer) time. |
I was going to reply to your well-intentioned and quite accurate comments in another thread, but it's been locked.
Hmmmmmm.
So, I guess I'll +1 what you said. This seasoned Egypt veteran left and there's no way I would go back unless/until it settles down - significantly. To say it's safe is foolish and I would never encourage anyone, especially women, to give Egypt a go. Right now, anyway, and quite likely for several years.
It's become a dangerous place. |
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