Job Discussion Forums

[danjaker]

Hi, I am currently looking into living and teaching in Egypt, but keeping my options open as far as Saudi Arabia too. I dont have a degree and I have little experience teaching in South America. Also I do not have a TEFL but plan on attending a course wherever I decide to go, and then finding work afterwards. I would like to go to either country but which do you think would be my best option, considering my situation, and also how easy it is to get visa extensions. Im looking to get going in or before August. Thanks

[It's Scary!]

It's (more funny than) Scary!

[spiral78]

Most of the ME pays relatively well, and therefore demands pretty good qualifications and experience.

That means BA + certification + (usually) related MA for the good jobs + at least two years of experience, preferable with Middle Eastern students.

You might check the Egypt board, but I am pretty sure Saudi is out of your league entirely.

[veiledsentiments]

Some have said here that in order to get the work permit in Saudi, you need at least a BA, but we have also heard that a few have managed to get around that. But, with no BA and no recognized cert, Saudi is pretty much not an option for you.

I suggest that you look at getting your TEFL cert in Egypt. The best choice is the CELTA being offered at the British Council in Cairo, but it is relatively expensive. The cheaper option, which is less recognized, is from a place in Alexandria. I suspect that a google will turn it up since it has been going on for a few years.

VS

[danjaker]

Appreciate the replies, except "scary" (I think we could all be a little more mature here). Yes, the replies are helpful. Im just going to plan on getting my TEFL in Alexandria as planned, and yes VS, I do want to get my CELTA, but the next course in Cairo isnt until October, so if im liking where I am, and would like to expand my possibilities i'll do that.
I have read every entry under the Egypt forums, there is good information there but if anyone here has gone through Alex, im all ears. Thanks

[It's Scary!]

Look. I can appreciate your hurt feelings. But, if you had given, even a moment of time to consider that the EFL profession is something that people struggle through, go into debt for to earn a degree, and work hard at pursuing; well, someone asking to come in from the cold with no credentials and just an idea of getting an iffy cert in the future, the slap across your face might sting just as much.

If I'm not helpful to you. Maybe, I'm a reality check.

It's Scary!

[danjaker]

I have struggled with actually teaching (without a cert.), earning enough for my family in Colombia, travelling to different locations in a city I wasnt familliar with at the time, several times a day. To pay for rent, my sons school, medical etc. I refuse to go into debt to get a degree. I will get a degree when I can pay for it.
I would greatly appreciate if we could just submit helpful comments on the original subject in here. Ive been around and done that, im just looking for info about a place ive never been to before. Im not going to argue, if you want to continue, then privatley message me, but lets keep this for the comments on the subject, thanks.

[It's Scary!]

O.K. Check-mate. I'm done. I haven't taught, so what do I know? I've only tele-conferenced.

It's obvious that you put much more into the profession and have struggled greatly.

Contact Wall Street English Language Centre in Saudi.

It's Scary!

[scot47]

Saudi is not open to you - certainly no job that would give you famil status and education allowance. I suspect that you will find it difficult getting anything that pays a living wage in Egypt. To expect to get a salary that would allow you to support a family there is TOTALLY unrealistic.

The truth can be painful when it destroys your illusions.

[danjaker]

Well thats what I was looking for, I was suspecting I wouldnt be able to do Saudi right now. But like I said, I am just going to follow through with Alexandria. If anyone has gone through TEFL int. in Alex, id like to hear from you...

[veiledsentiments]

The fact that you have a child that requires an education certainly adds a major complication to your chances in Egypt. My suggestion for the cert in Alex or Cairo is certainly do-able for a single person, but supporting a family and educating a child is a whole other issue. Unless you have significant funds to fall back on, this would be very difficult. With a TEFL cert in Egypt, the pay would be subsistence for a single person. Normally one eventually supplements their income with private lessons. If your wife is a native speaker of English, perhaps she could also do private lessons. But, your annual income alone may not be enough to cover one child's tuition and costs at an acceptable international school.

VS

[danjaker]

My son is 4 and currently lives in Colombia with his mother, where she is also from but she speaks fluent english and is almost finished with her degree in teaching, she also has a degree in buisness. But she is not working right now so I usally send anywhere between 300 and 375 usd per month for his school, medical, food etc. I hope she will work soon so we could split the difference if need be. So that is where I am at........

[veiledsentiments]

OK... but, it might be tough to have that amount of money monthly to send during the first year in Egypt. Another problem is that you are paid in local currency which is not easily changed into dollars. There are times that the money changers and banks sit on their foreign currency. Hard to predict how this will play out under the new government. I hear that they are cracking down... or threatening to crack down... on the numerous expats who have been living there for years and years and years working with only a tourist visa.

VS

[newbie147]

Well I have 0 experience. 2 day TEFL certificate. An unrelated Degree in accounting.

And I am flying out to Riyadh very very soon.

So never say never?

[dutchman]