Job Discussion Forums

[chris reid]

Hi,

I'm a 46 year old male Brit with no degree and a keen interest in teaching English in Egypt.

I'm looking for an appropriate TEFL cert course in Egypt, but there is no Trinity or CELTA course available for an immediate start. I've heard good things about the TEFL International course in Alexandria but it's not CELTA and it's not Trinity. Given that I have no degree, if I take this course will I be considered as "qualified" by local language schools or not? If yes, please advise on the local job situation today; I don't have sufficient funds to manage without getting into paid employment fairly quickly.

Many thanks,

Chris

[Al Waystryn]

Hi Chris,

Too bad you just missed a CELTA course in Cairo - it ended March 3rd. The next one (and the only one in the Middle East!) is 12th June - 7th July at ILI in Heliopolis, an International House school, www.ihworld.com or email: [email protected]
Regarding employment, you can try the secondary schools and cowboy language schools, but... Secondary schools are ending in June, however, they may need substitute teachers. They generally pay pretty well but the conditions can be pretty bad. The cowboy schools (private language institutes that take non-certified teachers) offer both bad pay and bad conditions. In the summer, there are usually kids classes available. If, however, you get your CELTA (and Egypt is probably the cheapest place in the world to do it) your options are considerably better.
Hope this info helps.
Al

[Sekhmet]

Chris -
I just took the TEFL International course in Alex, and they only problems I've had with it not being Trinity or CELTA so far are not being able to get jobs at British Council Accredited schools back home... So (hopefully) having this certificate is a good thing. The trainers are brilliant, and I can totally recommend the experience.

I have had a few problems with finding jobs in Egypt, but that seems to be because I'm looking at the wrong sites!!! Any ideas of good places to look??

Lindsey