Job Discussion Forums

eslegypt · Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Posts: 9

I am interested in conducting a feasibility study on operating a small ESL business teaching adults in one of the smaller cities in Egypt (not Cairo or Alex).

I see lots of information available on teaching and what schools are good/not good to work for, but I never see any tips on evaluating ESL as a business opportunity. Can you point me to any published material, web sites or individuals?

I have many years experience in Information Technology as a project manager and analyst in Canada, plus I earned by CELTA certificate last year.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

I'd put your cnances of making a decent living pretty small.

The reason is that there is not much of a middle class in those areas, and it is doubtful if there would be enough money to give you more than a subsistence salary.

That said I know plenty of people in Sri Lanka who pay for private English tuition for their kids even though they don't have running water at home.

You need to forget the web; check out the particular place and move on from there.

Twisting in the Wind · Joined: 20 Oct 2003 Posts: 571 Location: Purgatory

Why in heavens name are you posting on the off-topic China forum?

Maybe you'd have better luck on the Africa or Middle East forums???

justcolleen · Joined: 07 Jan 2004 Posts: 654 Location: Egypt, baby!

Twisting in the Wind · Joined: 20 Oct 2003 Posts: 571 Location: Purgatory

LOL!!!!! OOOOPs!!!! I'm so confused, they're all looking the same to me!!!! Especially after a few vodka and tonics. LOL Thanks!!!! (GIGGLE)

Twisting in the Wind · Joined: 20 Oct 2003 Posts: 571 Location: Purgatory

I bet ESLEGYPT is already REGRETTING posting here. LOL

marblez · Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 248 Location: Canada

Do you plan to teach or just run the business?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Go to the JAPANic web site. http://mcentyre.com/forum/index.php

Several people there have their own businesses in Japan. Perhaps you could join the (hidden) forum for such owners and get the lowdown on what you need. Otherwise, just post openly, and see what comes of it.

eslegypt · Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Posts: 9

I would both teach and run the business. I was hoping my husband could do the marketing (being Egyptian) and we could find another westerner to also teach.

Thanks for the suggestion of looking on the Japan forum.

I don't feel my questions are Egypt specific re how to do an evaluation. The steps involved in a feasibility study are the same regardless of the country. I'm just wanting to know what the factors are and how to determine profitability. eg. ratio of potential students to income to need to competition to advertising, to ?? etc.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

the research you need to do is very specific. It is probably not country specific, but there are vast differences between what you would do in a big city, in a medium-sized town and in a suburb.

And then there is the question of whether your clients will be predominantly adults or predominantly children.

Whatever you decide, I would not start anything until you have lived in the place at least a year.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

This is probably the only time I have ever agreed with Stephen Jones, at least in principle.

Only I would say you need to have lived in the community for MORE than a year--credibility is everything in a small place--and it comes from knowing you over time.