Teaching in Cairo...

[Maroc_uk]

Hi All,

I would like some advice on how I can get into teaching here in Cairo. I do not have any teaching qualifications and have no experience in teaching but I am looking for a career change and would like to go down this path. I have a Science degree and am currently completing my Masters online in a scientific field (both from a UK university). I am already living in Egypt due to my husbands work. I want to know how to go about doing this, I know in the UK I would have to complete a PGCE course which involves a few months training in a UK school, but what can I do here in Egypt. I want to teach either primary or GCSE Science. Do I just contact a school to see if I can work as a teaching assistant and during that time complete an online PGCE? Do I even need a PGCE to work here? Any teachers out there that can help me out please?????

Bouchra

[ArabianNights]

Well, when I was living in Cairo for a month - I was approached by some random woman, looking for an English teacher for the

school she worked at. I dont think, to be honest you have to go down the route of a PGCE, as long as you are an graduate and

are a native speaker, then you should be fine. There are many people who come and go to Egypt on short term teaching

assignments and many of them are not actual teachers by profession in their own country. You could do one of those Teaching

English as a Foreign Language CELTA/Delta courses - but I think they are quite expensive and the last time I looked a few months

ago, there was a waiting list. These courses are attached to the British Embassy. I personally do not think you need to do that in

Egypt....try going into foreign associations, language schools for teaching Arabic as a foreign language as they usually have

boards where people put up advertisements for teachers. You could go around the schools and ask. Try

Welcome - TEFL.com -

On this website, there is a database where you can search live jobs, by country. Good luck!

[expatagogo]

Originally Posted by Maroc_uk

Hi All,

I would like some advice on how I can get into teaching here in Cairo. I do not have any teaching qualifications and have no experience in teaching but I am looking for a career change and would like to go down this path. I have a Science degree and am currently completing my Masters online in a scientific field (both from a UK university). I am already living in Egypt due to my husbands work. I want to know how to go about doing this, I know in the UK I would have to complete a PGCE course which involves a few months training in a UK school, but what can I do here in Egypt. I want to teach either primary or GCSE Science. Do I just contact a school to see if I can work as a teaching assistant and during that time complete an online PGCE? Do I even need a PGCE to work here? Any teachers out there that can help me out please?????

Bouchra

No reputable school will hire you because the law requires a teaching certification in order to get a work permit.

You'll be left with the dodgy schools, where your contract (if you get one) will mean nothing and you may or may not see your salary - which will be next to nothing - on payday. Not only that, but you'll be working illegally. None of us appreciate immigrants the work illegally in our home countries, so why would we do the same here?

Do the PGCE first and become a trained teacher. After all, isn't a trained teacher who you would want teaching your own children?

[ArabianNights]

Originally Posted by expatagogo

Do the PGCE first and become a trained teacher. After all, isn't a trained teacher who you would want teaching your own children?

PGCE is a specialized qualification for those wanting to work in the domestic British curriculum. Its aimed at those who want to teach British Primary school, Junior school or High School. Teachers tend to teach the same subject as their degree and some PGCE course are tailored to your subject - so in this case it is science. The PGCE, mostly is to train would be teachers not only in teaching skills, but also the in's and out's of the British curriculum. It might be useful, if she wanted to teach in a British International school in Egypt, where they teach the British curriculum, but if she wants to teach at an Egyptian school - it wouldn't be worth it.

[expatagogo]

Originally Posted by ArabianNights

PGCE is a specialized qualification for those wanting to work in the domestic British curriculum. Its aimed at those who want to teach British Primary school, Junior school or High School. Teachers tend to teach the same subject as their degree and some PGCE course are tailored to your subject - so in this case it is science. The PGCE, mostly is to train would be teachers not only in teaching skills, but also the in's and out's of the British curriculum. It might be useful, if she wanted to teach in a British International school in Egypt, where they teach the British curriculum, but if she wants to teach at an Egyptian school - it wouldn't be worth it.

I know what the PGCE is and it would be necessary to obtain a work permit because only qualified teachers (and a PGCE is a qualification) teachers are permitted to teach legally. That's the rules.

Teachers in Egyptian national schools are paid less than 200 LE a month. Who would bother to get out of bed for that, unless there was absolute desperation - or, of course, they managed a good living private teaching their own students, which is what Egyptian teachers have to do to make doing the job worth it financially.

[ArabianNights]

Originally Posted by expatagogo

I know what the PGCE is and it would be necessary to obtain a work permit because only qualified teachers (and a PGCE is a qualification) teachers are permitted to teach legally. That's the rules.

Teachers in Egyptian national schools are paid less than 200 LE a month. Who would bother to get out of bed for that, unless there was absolute desperation - or, of course, they managed a good living private teaching their own students, which is what Egyptian teachers have to do to make doing the job worth it financially.

I don't know much about visa rules for spouses of those working here. She said that her husband is working here - no idea if he is Egyptian or not, or even if her derivative visa gives her the right to work or not.

[expatagogo]

I was married to an Egyptian who lived and worked here, and my passport specifically said I wasn't able to work. My employer had to sponsor a work permit.

[Maroc_uk]

Thanks for the input guys.

My husband is egyptian/british, not sure if I need a permit in this case but I dont plan to work without first finding out. I would like to teach in a british or american school here as pay would be better. The PGCE is only required for teaching in the UK so it may not matter. Im wandering what egyptian teachers do here to become teachers???

I dont want to teach English so dont think I need to do the Celta course. I have emailed the british council here to see what advice they can give me.

Even if I decide to do an online PGCE, im not sure if I can do the teacher training in a school here, maybe I have to do it in a UK school which is difficult for me to do right now.

Anymore advice please???

[CatMandoo]

Originally Posted by Maroc_uk

Thanks for the input guys.

My husband is egyptian/british, not sure if I need a permit in this case but I dont plan to work without first finding out. I would like to teach in a british or american school here as pay would be better. The PGCE is only required for teaching in the UK so it may not matter. Im wandering what egyptian teachers do here to become teachers???

I dont want to teach English so dont think I need to do the Celta course. I have emailed the british council here to see what advice they can give me.

Even if I decide to do an online PGCE, im not sure if I can do the teacher training in a school here, maybe I have to do it in a UK school which is difficult for me to do right now.

Anymore advice please???

When in doubt, go to the source Why not just try going into one of the better schools in your area, and ask to speak to someone in either HR or equivalent. They should have all the answers to your questions Take your CV with just in case

[Maroc_uk]

Originally Posted by CatMandoo

When in doubt, go to the source Why not just try going into one of the better schools in your area, and ask to speak to someone in either HR or equivalent. They should have all the answers to your questions Take your CV with just in case

So im not the only one awake at this time, lol ;o)

Im thinking of doing that but I want to be prepared beforehand so that I dont ruin my chances. Would be great to hear from some teachers )

Im off to bed, lol, goodnight.