Job Discussion Forums

[teacherdude]

I am a very experienced Eng. teacher from Canada presently teaching in Istanbul.

I am seriously considering comint to Cairo this year.

Can you please give me a list of reasonably reputable schoosl that pay well. I am looking at minimum $ 1 500.00 a month.

Here in Ist. we have the regular schools (ie. primary and secondary), the course schools where you go for private lessons as a group or individual and of course the Universities.

You could you please reccomend some of these for me in Cairo?

When is the best time of year for hiring?

Regards,
Teacher Dude

[xnihil73]

most schools seem to do their hiring right now and in the next month or so. There's a very good list of international schools in cairo on wikipedia, check it out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_schools_in_Egypt

[teacherdude]

Thank you.

TD

[stoth1972]

If you're well-qualified and experienced, then I would aim higher than $1500 US/month. Cairo American College, Modern English (Brit and N.American), British International SChool of Cairo, New Cairo British School, Maadi British School, American International School...all decent contracts (CAC and BISC probably having the best packages and conditions) and decent conditions. I'm sure I've left a few out. Once you start applying, check back with school names, and I'm happy to give you my two cents.

[teacherdude]

Thanks SToth 1972.

I will give them a buzz.

I'm looking at primarilly young adults or adults as students.

I've been teaching for the last nine years, so I think I'm quite qualified.

My forte is being able to communicate with Beginners, something that a lot of teachers seem to have a problem with.

Regards,
Teacher Dude

[stoth1972]

If you're not a qualified K-12 teacher, that limits many of those opportunities. Straight ESL teaching to adults or young adults outside of the conventional secondary classroom is not well-paying, unless you have an MA TESOL, or possible a dip, and even then, places like the British Council (who want CELTA and DELTA grads) don't pay $1500/month. I could be wrong, so if someone on the board knows better about their salary, I'm sure they'll speak up, however, I just saw an post for thm in Cairo a few months ago, and the salary wasn't much.

If you search the name "madhouseminx" on this site, you'll see her experiences of trying to find straight ESL work (outside of the K-12 classroom) in Alex and Cairo. If you are willing to teach secondary students in English medium schools (quite likely your standard English classes coupled w/ a dose of Geography, US HIstory, or something like that) then you have more opportunities, and the chance becomes better of finding something around $1500/month w/ some form of accommodation. Most people who've taught HS kids in Egypt will tell you it's not a lot of fun. Discipline in many private schools is severely lacking, leaving many teachers frazzled.

If you do have the MA, then I would look into American University of Cairo.

[veiledsentiments]

[teacherdude]

Thank you, this is allvery informative.

I usually enjoy the private course schools, because they are less stressful than being ft at a Primary/Secondary school.

However, the money offered at the latter here in Istanbul is QUITE good.

I have a Journalism Degree, with a post graduate Diploma in International Marketing. I have an internationally recognised TESL Degree (not CELTA OR DELTA). Of course I've been teaching for nine years.

I guess it's hard to suss out the situation in Cairo without actually having some direct interviews. However, I do appreciate the feedback.

I average about 1500 a month now, and usually put aside about 300 dollars monthly.

I could work elswhere, earn more and save more but my school is one of the more reputable in the city.

With other course schools I can work over time and put aside about $600.00 a month. I am wondering if these opportunities exist in Cairo.

However, Stoth, I'll check out your leads.

Dude.

[veiledsentiments]

There is a lot of opportunity for private lessons especially if you enjoy working with kids. It takes some organization, and can take awhile to build up a client list, but you can make quite a bit of money.

One catch is that Egyptian Pounds are often difficult to change to another currency like dollars or euros. Sometimes you can get private students who pay in foreign currency and that also helps.

Stoth can tell you more about the acceptability of your creds... if they will have any effect.

VS

[stoth1972]

Well, no CELTA rules out the British Council, which would have been you hopes for the highest paid academy work. As VS said, you can supplement w/ private lessons, but friends of mine who taught w/ the now defunct ILI Heliopolis were no where newar $1500/month, even w/ accommodation. Egypt is liveable on less, but you'd have to be a frugle traveller.

Your credentials might lend themselves to some