Job Discussion Forums

[Al Haq]

At the risk of duplicating previous posts...........

Assalaamu alaykum/Hi,

I have pretty much read all the posts on this forum re ME and especially Egypt/Syria; also the Job Info Journal and TTF but I must apologise if this post is a little repetitive - sorry also to those I sent PMs to as I'm just desperate for any and all information I can get!!!!

Firstly what an excellent resource this is (shuqran jazilan Mr Sperling!!)

I am 25 years young, male, Muslim and multilingual (French, Spanish etc.). I hold a good first degree from a reputable UK uni in Mod Langs. and Marketing but as yet I hold no TEFL qualification. However, I can read and write Arabic and also speak a smattering; plus I have the experience and understanding of Islam to understand the diff cultural mores that are de rigeur in the ME. I love teaching and have approx. 6 months lang assis. exp. in Spain but my real goal is to become fluent in Arabic.

Today, having read numerous posts etc. and other forums/ sites I am looking into the CELTA at ILI in Cairo which seems to have a decent rep. My question (if anyone fancies replyin?...) is, would I be foolhardy to do the CELTA at ILI and expect to get a job post-course? Finding work doesn't appear to be a problem but, obviously, I'm a little wary about jumping in without some decent advice from someone(s) who have travelled this oft-trekked route before.

I could teach private French/Spanish lessons as well if there is a market for these languages?

Am I likely to hold a competitive advantage with my Arabic skills and the fact that I am Muslim?

Any help with these questions or gen info. for someone such as myself would be much appreciated!!

[/u]

[veiledsentiments]

Al Haq

I am assuming that you have read the ILI discussions on previous threads?? I am not familiar with it myself, but most people say that it is a good program.

I'd say go for it. Go and take the course. As long as you don't expect to make big bucks, I am sure that you can earn enough to get by. You can live cheaply in Cairo. With time and a bit of effort you should also be able to pick up some private lessons. French is common, Spanish not so much.

None of us would be able to tell you for sure that you will get a great job upon completion. You just never know what you can find until you go and do it!! Good Luck!

VS

[Al Haq]

Thanks for the advice VS - I would have bet my bottom dollar that you would reply. I am going to apply for the CELTA in Cairo today as there appear to be some openings on the www.ihworld.com website - interestingly there appear to be vacancies for Algiers too with a new IH affiliate, not for the faint-hearted I guess but I should be able to get a job once I'm in the ME regardless of whether its in Egypt or not.

Watch this space.......but meanwhile thanks to everyone (esp VS) who has posted helpful replies on the plethora of Middle East pages here at Dave's!!

[veiledsentiments]

Al Haq,

Maybe later for Algiers? Once you finish your CELTA, you may also want to wander over and try to pick up some work in Syria or Jordan or Morocco or Tunisia. More good places to work on your spoken Arabic. Have fun!!

VS