Job Discussion Forums

[amint]

Hi. I am new to posting and this entire area of certification. I have a 4 year Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. I had to take a lot of Psychology and Sociology classes. My degree is from the US. My husband and I are trying to move to Egypt (where he is from). My plan was to teach kids English, however there is a hold up. They want certification teaching or otherwise, I guess. So, since I do not have any certification and my degree is not in Education and need to get some certification. A teaching certification at this point is too costly and time consuming. I have 2 years of teaching experience but no certificate. So, I find these classes for online certification. What do you guys think would be least economical but best for what I plan to do? I saw the 60 hour course that allows to teach English to children. Or there is the 360 hour course that gives you the TEOSOL certificate plus three specialization classes. Any good advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, how does it work taking an online class. How long doe it take to complete?

Does anyone know what would be useful or beneficial to get to teach elementary aged kids in Egypt?

Thanks

[scot47]

Why go for teaching children ? Lots of work teaching adults. Certification is usually less of a problem too.

[ls650]

I don't know about Egypt in particular, but I would think with your B degree you should be able to get a job if you hold something like a CELTA or similar TEFL certificate.

60 hours sounds kind of short if you have never taught a language before. You want to take a look at something like a 120-hour course that offers you the chance to teach a practicum. That practice experience is vital if you've never taught before.

[redhairlady]

I am a teacher in Egypt and i have no credentials!!!!

[Sekhmet]

There is a company in Alexandria that provides teacher training - a branch of TEFL International. The course is good (I did it!!) and I now have a couple of good jobs in Alex.
Generally, for the international companies, you need certification and a degree, but (as in pretty much any country) there are jobs available without any certification. You just have to look for them!!
Good luck - Egypt is great!!!

[veiledsentiments]

And everyone needs to be aware that without credentials, you will earn almost nothing. Redhairlady mentioned on another post that she earns appr US$322 a month. As she is married, she is not living on just that amount, but a single person would have to live rather spartanly.

The best advice to anyone who wants to teach anywhere is get an education and the best credentials you can. The children you are teaching deserve no less.

VS

[redhairlady]

I dont teach English or any academics I only teach art and drama but, I am a very creative person and I also found alot of ideas on the internet.

[veiledsentiments]

Redhairlady,

My post wasn't meant to 'attack' you, but I am glad that you are not teaching 'academic' courses. Not that I haven't met some marvellous teachers through the years who didn't have the 'normal' credentials. Teaching is as much an art as a science, IMHO. I bet your art and drama students are having a wonderful time and enjoy your classes.

But, I also suspect that if I were a parent I would look askance at non-credentialed teachers teaching my own children something like math or science or reading. It is all a never-ending debate in the overseas teaching experience.

VS

[Sekhmet]

(Disclaimer - not criticising anyone - just making an observation!!!)

VS - I totally agree with you, I would not appreciate a non-credentialed teacher teaching my kids either, but there is a proliferation of teachers (mainly in EFL) whose standard of English is just not up to scratch. I mean native teachers - Egyptians. One of the schools I worked at had a couple of Egyptian English teachers with whom I couldn't even have a conversation in English, and had to resort to my minimal Arabic to be understood!!! And both of these teachers had graduated from the Faculty of Arts...

So, credentials don't necessarily mean ability. I have known some teachers with an innate ability who step into the classroom with no experience and give near-perfect classes...

Thats not to say that credentials are unimportant - totally the opposite!!! And often schools will not accept teachers without at least a BA and TESOL cert. At least, none of the ones I've spotted in Alex anyway!!!

[veiledsentiments]

Yes Sekhmet,

You are, of course, correct that there are many poor teachers who have the 'credentials' - be they native speakers of English or not. It is a constant debate in the field. I worked with some very good Egyptian English teachers and some very poor ones. And I suspect that the fact that I was working at teritiary level meant that I was working with some of the best. Unfortunately, many of the best Secondary and Primary Egyptian teachers leave the country to teach in the Gulf for the same reasons that we do.

But, being a native speaker does not make you a good English teacher either - contrary to what some might want to think. It would certainly be preferable that everyone teaching EFL had at least a good certificate like the CELTA, which actually does teach you to teach. It lets those with the 'innate' ability to relate to students do the best possible job.

VS

[Sekhmet]

Yup, totally! Teaching can't be learned out of a book, but TESOL courses do give good tools, and ideas...

[dmb]

don't forget the 'jizz'

[stoth1972]

Amint:

I taught in Cairo for 2 years w/o a teaching certificate. I have about 2 years of experience teaching at that point, but there were others in my school w/ absolutely no experience. There are schools that will hire you. Are they the best place to work? No, probably not. Do they have the highest salaries? Nope but they are certainly higher than the ESL academies where you'll teach adults. Some of the international schools will actually pay you in foreign currency. Be forewarned: you are married to an Egyptian and telling your employer this will automatically reduce you to what is called a "local" contract. You will not receive annual airfare or accommodation (unlike your other foreign hired colleagues) and you will most likely receive a lower salary-payable only in Egyptian pounds and not dollars or stirling.

If you're flexible and willing to roll with the punches, then try The International School of Choueifat, New Horizons School, Sakkara Language School, Misr American College, American International School and I'm sure there are a load more. The reputation and experiences in each of these schools varies but I have heard horrible things about Thebes American School(correct name?). I also know that salary at places like Sakkara School are significantly lower than somewhere like Choueifat. Choueifat will start you around $18500/year and if you manage to fanagle a foreign deal they might pay you in dollars. Since you're married it's very unlikely that you'll get accommodation but if they need you it's possible that they'll offer airfare round trip.

The other posters are right about the quality of the school suffering but if you let it roll off your back and do you best for the kids I think you can still enjoy it. I've known people in all the schools I've mentioned and I've heard horror stories and others who made it through just fine. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions.

[bethragheb]

Hi Everyone
Having lived and worked in Egypt for two years (also being married to an Egyptian) i found the whole experience worthwhile and I would go back there tomorrow. Since teaching in Egypt I have now come back to England to get my QTS status but intend to return there next year. Language schools will allow you to teach with a BA and without any teaching qualifications but International Schools will not. In my opinion better to be certified as the International Schools are more secure positions and usually have a British or American Director. This means a big difference when moving abroad as there is no union to protect your rights. My advice apply for jobs before you go there as they will negotiate in $ or � rather than LE. You will also get the yearly ticket and health insurance which are vital as there is no NHS there!
Hope it goes weel for you!!
PS. Make sure you apply with your maiden name as they will try to reduce your salary if they know you are married to an Egyptian (My personal experience!!)
Beth