Egypt

Situated in the northeast corner of Africa, the Arab Republic of Egypt is brimming with rich culture, world-shaping history, stunning nature sights, and no shortage of renowned landmarks and attractions. Home to one of the world’s most impressive ancient civilizations, Egypt today boasts a population of just over 100 million people and is the largest Arab country to date. With a diverse terrain that encompasses the mighty Nile river and its lush delta, miles upon miles of sprawling golden desert, and pristine beaches teeming with coral reefs and colorful aquatic creatures, Egypt is awash with natural beauty and charm. A Little History The country’s tourism slogan, “Where it all begins,” rings especially true when exploring the country’s slew of ancient temples, impressive tombs, and 118 (identified!) pyramids. Ancient Egyptian civilization has shaped modern-day systems of writing, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and accounting, and has long captivated the interest of scholars, historians, archeologists, and cinematographers alike. Regardless of where you are in Egypt, the country’s fascinating past and thoroughly modern present continue to mesmerize and delight. Egypt is teeming with remarkable landmarks and awe-inducing sites, so take advantage of your time off work to explore some of the country’s many attractions. The iconic Pyramids of Giza are first to top many traveler’s bucket lists, and for good reason. The Pyramids house the tombs of legendary Egyptian pharaohs and…

Each country has its own requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Egypt. Education A bachelor’s degree is not required to teach in Egypt, but it is preferred by employers. Those who do not have a bachelor’s degree will still have options to teach in Egypt. Citizenship There are no specific citizenship requirements to teach English in Egypt, though some employers might prefer to hire citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. English Fluency Egypt is a good teaching market for teachers whose first language is not English! You will need to have a high fluency in English, and may need to be more flexible when it comes to location or school, as you will be competing with native English-speaking teachers for positions, but non-native speakers of English qualify for teaching positions in Egypt. Background Check A clean background check is not necessary to teach in Egypt. The exception to this rule? Some international schools in Egypt might require teaching candidates to submit a clean criminal record check. Medical Check A negative HIV test is required to obtain a work permit in Egypt. T…

With a population of over 100 million people, a growing middle class, and extensive interaction with the English-speaking world, Egypt presents a booming market for foreign English teachers. English was introduced on a large scale in Egypt in the 1880s when the nation fell under British control, and today, it’s taught in Egyptian public schools from the first grade onwards. The majority of English teaching opportunities in Egypt are concentrated in Cairo and Alexandria, two crowded, colorful centers of history and culture. TEFL certified instructors will be able to find positions at private language schools and as private tutors or teachers, and some qualified teachers will be able to secure employment at international schools. Each of these job types comes with its own specific set of advantages, so you’ll want to understand the basic differences between them before you begin applying. Private Language Schools As a teacher at a private language school, expect to be instructing students in the afternoon and evening, outside of the traditional working day or public school hours. You might also be asked to work on some Saturdays in order to accommodate your students’ busy professional schedules. Classroom sizes at private language schools are typically small, and most of your colleagues will be other foreign English teachers. Most private language school teachers in Egypt are freelancers, meaning they work for a variety of different private language schools and are not contract…

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you, it’s time to begin the application process! There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in Egypt, and we have them all outlined here below. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa may overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Egypt Timeline, as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on top of your visa documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your draft to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Step 2: Determine Your Preferences A major part of the teaching abroad experience is enjoying where you’ll actually be living! Do you have a preference when it comes to your daily routines and surroundings? Do you want to live in the bustling capital city of Cairo? Or do you crave a picturesque, small town experience in a city like Ismailia? Do you value having greater access to specific types of community more commonly…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Egypt and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Egypt is 5,200 to 12,300 EGP per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like you’ll be in a rural location with a low cost of living or working longer than average hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Teaching English in Egypt can be a part-time or full-time gig. However, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week (typically 20-25 hours) to consider. Will you have to work in the morning for a few hours and then come back for more in the evening? Does your school require that you show up an hour before yo…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork, but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this visa process like a pro. First step? Understanding what visas are available for foreign English teachers relocating to Egypt. Let’s get started! Visa Types Tourist Visa What is it? This visa will allow you to travel to Egypt for tourism purposes, and some Egyptian schools and employers will hire teachers on this type of visa. You can apply to renew this visa in-person at the Egyptian Passports, Immigration, and Nationality Administration office in Cairo, or online (though you’ll have to leave Egypt for a neighboring country in order for this latter option to work). How do you get one? You can apply for this visa in advance of arriving in Egypt online or at an Egyptian embassy or consulate. If you apply for your Egyptian tourist visa online, you’ll fill out your visa application form and pay your visa application fee prior to entering Egypt. Upon arrival in Egypt, you’ll then be required to provide your valid passport, printed e-Visa confirmation page, travel itinerary, and proof of accommodation. If you apply for your Egyptian tourist visa at an Egyptian consulate or embassy, you’ll typically be asked to provide passport-sized photos, copies of your passport information page, the visa application form, and payment of the visa fee. Depending on your nationality, you might also be able to apply for a tourist visa upo…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world, an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. Depending on your school, you might or might not receive health insurance benefits. Typically, however, health insurance is not included with the job in Egypt. If it is, you’re lucky! Check out the “Accepting the Right Offer” section to learn more. That being the case, you will want to do your own research in order to determine which health insurance plan abroad might be the best fit for you, your health needs, and any dependents you might be bringing along. With so many insurance options to choose from, picking out a good provider can be daunting for some teachers. One easy hack? Check out th…

You have finally made it to the end of the Egypt section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Egypt. This timeline is not only for the planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Egypt to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job On the Ground English teaching jobs in Egypt can be found year round, though many schools tend to ramp up hiring in May through August so it’s a good idea to apply to jobs then if you can. On the other hand, avoid applying to positions during major Islamic holidays, as many schools and companies are closed. In order to use this timeline, take your desired start date and subtract from there. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. 4 months before departure: Begin your research ___ List out your preferences and priorities. ___ Chat with ITA alumni and read about alumni experiences. __ Read through ITA’s resources, attend Student Affairs webinar __ Network with ITA alumni , read alumni stories , and watch alumni videos, etc. __ Read about Egypt and Egyptian culture, etc. ___ Ensure your passport will be valid at least 6 months past your anticipated return date or order a new passport. ___ Contact your local Egyptian embassy…

My work schedule varied constantly. Because I was a freelancer, my company would essentially put me where I was needed. When I was teaching regular “conversation” classes on site, I worked four days a week and averaged between three and five hours/day. When I was being sent to businesses throughout Cairo to teach business English, this was usually less. The pay wasn’t great, but I supplemented it with private tutoring and online teaching on the side. Basically, the company puts you where there is demand, whether business English, young learners, or private lessons. It's a good way to get experience with different class settings. Eric S. Cairo, Egypt Egypt is unique among Muslim majority countries. It has a (famously) long history that predates Islam and, as a result, a national identity (tied to the cultural identity) that is especially distinct from the rest of the Arab world. Although many of the national identities that exist in the Middle East and North Africa were born in the minds of English and French diplomats during and after WWI, Egypt was Egypt, and Egyptians felt Egyptian, long before any of the Western powers were around. You can feel this in Egyptian culture. They're a proud people. Their society is also, relative to many other Muslim countries, pluralistic (there is a significant Christian minority) and secular. Of course, I say relative. Islam is still very much the sun (moon?) around which daily life revolves, which leads me to...Nightlife/Social Activities. …