posted
Yes I can't imagine the work he would be able to get here would be ideal, but you do what you can don't you.
Posts: 171 | From: UK | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am saying I imagine it is easier as a native english speaker to find work in Egypt as you will be in demand in schools etc for your language. No qualifications needed... (for many, not all). For an Egyptian to find work in the UK they not only need the qualifications (for the better paid jobs) but also the language (unless the post is obviously for an Egyptian Arabic speaker) skills to put them above the people against them who are also applying.
Since the revolution I have noticed just how many teaching roles are on offer. I saw one recently (gone by now I imagine) was for an unqualified English teacher, salary around 15k pm. Some schools are desperate to attract native English speakers back.
Perhaps the ladies in the west who are married to Egyptians could give an insight as to what their hubbys do in the West. Also an insight for you as to whether they are required to have IELTS or the like and if they are required to submit their Thanaweya Amma papers.
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Cheekyferret: Since the revolution I have noticed just how many teaching roles are on offer. I saw one recently (gone by now I imagine) was for an unqualified English teacher, salary around 15k pm. Some schools are desperate to attract native English speakers back.
Wouldn't you need to speak Arabic too??
quote:Perhaps the ladies in the west who are married to Egyptians could give an insight as to what their hubbys do in the West. Also an insight for you as to whether they are required to have IELTS or the like and if they are required to submit their Thanaweya Amma papers.
Ok, I have no idea what those papers or IELTS is?
Posts: 171 | From: UK | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanaweya Amma is the General High School certificate.... top TA students used to be offered scholarships in Egypt and is a very common certificate here that I have been told can be requested at an international level... but I only know this of doctors who are studying for a specialism... but it may be more generic. Perhaps the wives of Egyptians could respond.
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System... A global English test that is highly recognised. It generally can lead into the international education system or employment. It is extremely common in Egypt and main students strive to attain this accreditation.
What level of English does your partner have?
Sponge, there is a lot to consider, personally for me the family would be the bottom of my list as I would like financial security, secured work and a nice home either here or there... especially if I was considering a family. What others think about my hair would not be on my list of cares
You do not have to speak any Arabic to teach English... most establishments frown upon dual language in teaching. It can naturally be of assistance but not necessary. This is why English speakers are preferred as they do not revert to Arabic. There are plenty of Arabic teachers who teach English but their language naturally is not as strong, or correct as ours. (bowel being pronounce bowel is my first example, would you like a bowel of soup lol), it is just that parents pay the schools etc more if their child is being taught English by a native.
Also, private tuition can be a good little earner if you can get the pupils. I know some mothers who feel they are higher in class if an English person visits their home to teach.
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Cheekyferret: What level of English does your partner have?
He is pretty fluent in English, can read/write and speak it very well. The only thing he struggles with is the pronunciations and sayings we have in the UK and a little bit of the grammar - but that trips a lot of English people up!
quote:You do not have to speak any Arabic to teach English... most establishments frown upon dual language in teaching. It can naturally be of assistance but not necessary. This is why English speakers are preferred as they do not revert to Arabic. There are plenty of Arabic teachers who teach English but their language naturally is not as strong, or correct as ours. (bowel being pronounce bowel is my first example, would you like a bowel of soup lol), it is just that parents pay the schools etc more if their child is being taught English by a native.
I find that a bit strange, if an English person is teaching English to Arabic speaking students, how do they know what the English means?!
quote:Also, private tuition can be a good little earner if you can get the pupils. I know some mothers who feel they are higher in class if an English person visits their home to teach.
Ahh yes, that would probably be a good thing. Maybe even for my partner to do as he speaks both. Pity we couldn't do a job share, ha ha Posts: 171 | From: UK | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
Imagine teaching a Deaf person... a lot of their world is visual. You use tools, apparatus, pictures, hand gestures etc... many children who are priveledged enough to attend schools that their parents pay for often have dual language parents also have the basic foundation of the language. It really is very easy
In KG's the little ones are like you; a sponge they absorb your language like it is the only thing they know.
You don't just teach English, you can teach science in English language etc... you educate them and give them knowledge in your language via the methods I mentioned above. Adults are the worst to teach as they already know the facts of life and they just want pure English... then you begin the focus on grammar, pronunciation and sentence structure etc. Even older children who are self educators are difficult as they were born to know it all lol... but again, introduce the concept of past progressive, simple and futrure tense etc and you soon find you have a student who has a need to learn
The thing with non native English speakers teaching English is they do not teach the accent, their grammar can be limited and also if they were taught poor sentence structure or pronunciation they pass it on. A little like a bad driver teaching you to drive, you would be barely passable but perhaps ok to go it alone.
Whilst I was in the UK last month I visited the HQ of a company who deliver teaching using non verbal language to foreigners... it really is quite interesting (well for me lol).
Anyway, totally off topic. I just like this topic
I hope you have some of the girls of here PM'ing you as they can tell you what may or may not lay ahead...
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
Have had a couple of people PM'ing me from other threads I've asked questions of. Not from this one. But the info on here is so great. It's not put me off being with my partner but has certainly put perspective on the whole situation.
Posts: 171 | From: UK | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
I don't think anyone's aim is to put you off, perhaps just help you to see what may or may not be ahead of you. I have lived in Egpyt long enough to see ladies not actually seeing the bigger picture and think Egypt is all about sunsets, pretty boys with nice words and fab weather. Not to mention all the other good things Egpyt has to offer... Great social scene, opportunity to travel to some awesome places, days at the beach and my personal fave... the pool
They don't see the poor salaries, the in-laws from hell and the mozzies! Not to mention many other negative points I am sure some folk on here will be happy to mention as some have clearly been screwed over in the past and like to hate everything about Egypt...
To make relationships in general work there has to be honesty, compromise and respect... my only advice to you is never let a dude overseas lead you into doing something you wouldn't do with an English dude.
There is a tendancy for the boys to want to marry here within a week of seeing your beautiful eyes (barf)... for whatever reason would you marry John the Butcher from Wrexham in a week lol...
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ooh could never marry a butcher, don't like the smell, ha ha!
And no it's the first forum I've been on where people don't actually want to put you off, they just give you good honest advice (or have I been lucky so far?!)
At the moment I'm so happy with what me and my man have but it's a long way off anything permanent and I know to even get it there it will take so much patience/honesty/respect/communication/compromise, the list is endless. But making it permanent is something we have talked about and if we both eventually want the same things then I'm sure we'll be happy.
As you say, you need to get things into perspective and if I wouldn't take if from an English bloke then why from anyone else.
Posts: 171 | From: UK | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
You are lucky, there is a right little committee of vultures who usually post here who I am shocked haven't already started to circle you.
Don't fret though it will happen and once one pecks at ya the others soon tag along.
FYI re the weather... it is lashing it down... I have had several calls from bored folk discussing that they are stranded. The roads here are now like rivers! It will be chaos tomorrow! I haven't seen rain this relentless in cairo in years!
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Cheekyferret: FYI re the weather... it is lashing it down... I have had several calls from bored folk discussing that they are stranded. The roads here are now like rivers! It will be chaos tomorrow! I haven't seen rain this relentless in cairo in years!
Ahh yes, my man has just told me, although I bet the temp of the rain is a little different to here! It's been quite sunny here today though, it was one of the only times I got to brag about it to him
I don't visit him again till September so I'm hoping to get at least a few days of sun over here before I go, I'm a milk bottle most of the time but this UK weather is getting worse! If only we could share it fairly, you're just greedy with the sun over there Posts: 171 | From: UK | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am actually cold! I was out in the first storm (top went see through!!) and I had goose pimples in the wind... taxis went as rare as rocking horse shite and I stood for ages.
But I did get some nice days in the UK in March
September will fly round, and I think September is a lovely month... it is still glorius weather but not so offensive.
It is still going! My poor satellite dish Looks like another fix it job for bodge-it and scarper!
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yeah, last time I went was February and it got really cold at night. Glad I took my wooly socks. Went in November last year and that was lovely.
Thinking September will be pretty hot for me. I cover myself up when I'm there with his family/friends, but luckily they have a nice flat roof which I escape up onto and can have a good sunbathe on.
Do you actually get proper Sky out there or is it just the usual Egyptian channels with the one English movie channel?
Posts: 171 | From: UK | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
There is proper Sky ... Orbit Show Network. Got the lot if you want it, Corrie, Emmerdale and the such. I personally don't have it as I have freeview that has Glee, CSI, English films and the news which kinda sorts me out
There are loadsa English movies on the OSN package. There are a few expat DVD libraries too, in some places the concept is newer than others and folk tend to take but not return!!
It does get cold here, I have a proper thick duvet, a blanket and heating! I climatised as a teen to the ME weather and haven't reverted back! I feel cold so easily!
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Cheekyferret: There is proper Sky ... Orbit Show Network. Got the lot if you want it, Corrie, Emmerdale and the such. I personally don't have it as I have freeview that has Glee, CSI, English films and the news which kinda sorts me out
Woohoo Glee!! That's it, I'm packing my bags and moving now Posts: 171 | From: UK | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Cheekyferret: There is proper Sky ... Orbit Show Network. Got the lot if you want it, Corrie, Emmerdale and the such. I personally don't have it as I have freeview that has Glee, CSI, English films and the news which kinda sorts me out
Woohoo Glee!! That's it, I'm packing my bags and moving now
quote:Originally posted by marydot: [QUOTE]TL please dont ruin this thread, its not for provoking its about sponge.
Thanks Marydot, I'd treat the comment with the attention it deserved, I wasn't sure if you were having a private joke so kept out of it! Don't know anyone enough on here to get involved
Your getting good advice so far sponge
Alot of people on here will help you and advice you the best they can.
Don't take much notice of the negative things people say on here.
At the end of the day, it's your decision and you alone can only make this.
When you do tell his parents,they may not accept it but acceptances will come in time.
They may surprised you and be very happy to hear you both are getting married, but you both need to tell them as soon as possible.
Posts: 1048 | From: If you are given a blessing you may be envied | Registered: Oct 2008
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by tigerlily_misr: Sponge, enjoy the fun while it last. Without a doubt there is some excitement in the relationship and as they say absence makes the heart grows fonder as you both live apart from each other. But marriages are no easy game and considering your love interest comes from a completely different cultural and religious background it's double as hard. You can only know so much about him, his family, his lifestyle, his mentality while visiting him every other couple of months. Once you will live together this will be the true eye opener but things might just be a little too late then since you have already signed the marriage papers.
So many women have been in exactly the same circumstances before, for some it worked out, for most of them not. The converting part yes or no: As you already realized by yourself you should make this big decision not to please anyone. If you look into this matter it can take years until you fully accept the idea of Islam - since you already pointed out yourself that you are not a particular religious person - or perhaps you will never. A lot of these Egyptians say in the beginning of the relationship that they don't mind your religious status since they want to please you. They will say anything to get a relationship with you started. But usually after the marriage it can become a big issue especially if the guy transforms into a more pious person than you thought he was. And believe me religion is to most Egyptians like food and water. Islam dictates their whole life from the morning to the evening. Just also keep in mind any children you will have with your boyfriend will have to grow up as Muslims.
IMHO see where the relationship with your Egyptian boyfriend goes. Perhaps he's just a rebound guy and you will settle eventually with someone else. All the best.
quote:But marriages are no easy game and considering your love interest comes from a completely different cultural and religious background it's double as hard.
Love interest you sound like sono!!!!
Sponge is asking for advise here so she is willing to learn!!!
And I respect her for this.
Posts: 1048 | From: If you are given a blessing you may be envied | Registered: Oct 2008
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Cheekyferret: I am actually cold! I was out in the first storm (top went see through!!) and I had goose pimples in the wind...
Wind was bad here too last night, had to close the shutters. Was hot yesterday but the breeze off the mountain up at Medinet Habu was wonderful, I wanna live up there!
We still have a blanket and feather duvet on the bed though Posts: 15090 | From: http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
The storm was pretty bad, I am just off out to see what damage was done as there was some right clatter banging going on and I can hear a lot of sweeping!
I still have a big blanket too Ayisha, if folk think april is warm then they are gonna be screwed in August Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Cheekyferret: The storm was pretty bad, I am just off out to see what damage was done as there was some right clatter banging going on and I can hear a lot of sweeping!
I still have a big blanket too Ayisha, if folk think april is warm then they are gonna be screwed in August
I'm always screwed in August, way too hot here but right now it's cool for April even though it's hot.
Thank you God for giving me a longer 'winter' this year, now if you can just do something about a 36 hour day please?
Posts: 15090 | From: http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I was cold too. But i enjoyed breeze after rain on balcony. Also enjoyed less mozzies.
Posts: 313 | From: maadi cairo | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ah but mozzies adore dirty wetland and they will come back en masse. I have only been back since thurs and already my elbow and toes have been attacked ... Blighters
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
take vit B for at least 3 weeks before you come, or eat marmite daily, they hate the taste
-------------------- If you don't learn from your mistakes, there's no sense making them. Posts: 15090 | From: http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Or better yet, rub Marmite all over your skin. No mosquitos, and a really fast tan! I've never tried it ... Posts: 1399 | From: alexandria | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
I used to use all the recommended crap on the websites but frankly after 20 years of travelling I have concluded if you are gonna get bitten you will get bitten.
I don't mind the bites and the itching, it is the buzzing in yer ear when you are trying to sleep that turns me all schitzy!
Monkey, I wrap myself up like a Mummy but if so much as a toe is exposed I wake up bitten to buggery! The Drs in Ghana (where I caught Malaria) said I was just one of the tasty ones ... and in Ghana I fanatically used repellents, juju, voodoo, citronella, deet, blah blah and even took anti-malaria meds and still got bitten and fell ill!
My only way to prevent being bitten is to sleep with a fan on me so the feckers can't land Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Vit B I will try. Marmite I'll probably give a miss. Mo, I'd be more likely to try your strategy than ever putting it in my mouth. But I hear dogs are quite partial to it so I'm thinking I could be replacing one problem with a slightly bigger one Posts: 1678 | From: New Egypt Forum - http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Dec 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've been had by two kinds of mozzies in Egypt. One your regular itchy bite, the other gave me big weepy blisters. Only ever had those before when I went to Northern Greece.
Not as bad as the bites I had in Sri Lanka though. Still have some cracking chicken pox like scars on my feet.
Posts: 1678 | From: New Egypt Forum - http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Dec 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
seriously, I used to have a big problem with mosquitos. Now, I put a dollop of body lotion on my hand, mix in a good squirt of Off spray, and rub it in, et voila! I think the sprays evaporate and the lotion helps stop that.
Posts: 1399 | From: alexandria | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'd like this thread to remain positive to Sponge, as she should be left to decide for herself..no vulturing as CF put it, let her be ES's Guinea pig (sorry for this) and see how things will progress with time.
I hope she keeps the good vibes all the way and finds her happiness with her man.
All the best from an Egyptian bloke Sponge. Posts: 3219 | From: Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone. | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
I don't mind the bites and the itching, it is the buzzing in yer ear when you are trying to sleep that turns me all schitzy!
That turns me wild, that's when the feckers wanna bite the soft bits round the eyes. HATE that.
Must say though that now when they bite I don't react so badly to the bites, used to get HUGE lumps but now they itch for a bit then it goes off unless its feet or fingers
Posts: 15090 | From: http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
My problem is... I'm bone idle. I don't wear body lotion and I only remember repellent once they've already had their feeding frenzy. But I'm going to make a concerted effort next time.
Which is better, the old fashioned coils you put in the plug in thingy, or the plug in thingy that releases liquid vapour? I've been using the latter and I do use it religiously, but I can honestly say it's worse than useles. Ok, I will admit the first five days I had it turned on but forgot to remove the stopper from the bottle But even after this it seemed to do naff all.
Posts: 1678 | From: New Egypt Forum - http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Dec 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
Watching a mozzie sitting on yer ezilat mats doesn't fill me with proomise
I even have the sonar machine, sucks too!
If you study up on this subject it really does hightlight how different we all are and how what works for some may not work for others
I for example work more so on the itch than preventing the bite and have concluded that picking the scab after intense scratching really helps
Deet is harmful to babies and kids yet I see umpteen tourists each year smothering their kids in the stuff... no bites maybe, having Deet running through their blood stream, into their nervous system and killing off brain cells not a problem!!! yes, I just rolled my eyes!
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
CF it can't have excaped your notice that the world is collapsing around our ears, Tsunamis earthquakes, Nuclear accidents, wars, floods civil strife etc etc, Deet is the least of our problems. Maybe the small amounts of nuclear fallout floating around will kill off all the mozzies! Every cloud has a silver lining maybe?
Posts: 1399 | From: alexandria | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
I think by referring to it as a 'spiteful childrens book' the author of that review kind of missed the whole point of the book!
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Deet is the beginning of the problems for children subjected to ignorant parents
I can control the amount of Deet I place upon a child, the rest is down to mother nature.
The nuclear fallout may also creat Super Mozzies...
Every cloud has 2 sides to it and the lining on the other is no silver
If I believed that more **** should happen as **** is already happening then I may as well go score some heroin, rob a bank and shoot the man who fecked up my curtains Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
I like every lining has a silver cloud, as my friend said. She also claimed to be raising money for blind dogs for the guide Posts: 1678 | From: New Egypt Forum - http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Dec 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
Since this is already way off topic, will add my "Cure". Have never found any really effective mosquito control potion or lotion but have found a very effective method for RELIEF!
Cheap! (under 10le a box) Take 2, 1 is not enough. In about 15 minutes you should be totally "itch free" and it lasts about 8 hours. Also does NOT make you drowsy. Try it, you'll like it! Keep it handy in your purse for when you are out.
Posts: 3291 | From: I DO believe in Karma! | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
Cheap! (under 10le a box) Take 2, 1 is not enough. In about 15 minutes you should be totally "itch free" and it lasts about 8 hours. Also does NOT make you drowsy. Try it, you'll like it! Keep it handy in your purse for when you are out.
That's useful to know! It's the same ingredients as Zyrtec which last time I bought was 22LE a box.
Me and my mozzies have a 'live and let live' relationship most of the time, but if they're getting too big and juicy (always alarming at how much blood comes out of a squashed one when you're the only person it could have eaten), I take a Zyrtec night and morning so I don't feel them even if they do nibble.
Also, good tip MoNing, to mix the Off with body lotion and keep it going a bit longer!
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
| IP: Logged |
Apparently if you drink beer (probably sakara) they are less likely to bite you ?? Although this was told to me while the guy was drinking beer, so not sure how relible or sober he was, but he was well travelled though lol.
Does anyone know what repellent i can use on a baby ??
posted
hahaha liaj. I was told if you drink beer the mozzies are more likely to bite you as a) you sweat more, b) you taste sweeter and c) you sleep more deeply and are less likely to feel owt
Trust me, I drink a lot of beer and I have some fresh bites as I type ... perhaps I should drink more beer Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
I always scratch the area surrounding them and not the bite itself. Once you break the skin it's like a viscious circle of itchiness, with me anyway.
I remember one thing that did work - Ibuprofen. Tried antihistamines and nothing, antihistamine cream, nothing, bite cream - forget it, zappers, pah. But Ibuprofen stopped them itching, quite so much anyways. But this was at the point where they were really red and inflamed though.
Posts: 1678 | From: New Egypt Forum - http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Dec 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
Maybe Sponge might have something to say about mozzies too ? Posts: 3219 | From: Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone. | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
rubbing a lemon on the bite helps the itch, cut the lemon first. Vinegar also works.
-------------------- If you don't learn from your mistakes, there's no sense making them. Posts: 15090 | From: http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Sorry Dz. But we're just nattering while she's not here. [Like you do when soneone goes to the bathroom or whatever] And it would be weird to argue amongst ourselves about her dilemma when she's not around, no?
Posts: 1399 | From: alexandria | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
She would be around if someone wrote to her about her OT rather than mozzies. Posts: 3219 | From: Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone. | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Looks like another fix it job for bodge-it and scarper!
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Mad]](mad.gif)
Last time I went all out to keep them at bay - smothered myself in repellent. They bit the soles of my feet while I was sleeping ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic