Teaching English in Egypt
Purpose
Start dates
Duration
Volunteer hours
Age
Accommodation
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Volunteers who speak English fluently and are interested in sharing what they know with students of different ages and abilities. Relevant experience or a TEFL certificate are an advantage, but not required.
Project details
Want to Teach English in Egypt? International Volunteer HQ’s Teaching English project empowers volunteers to gain teaching experience and pass on English language skills to the local community in Cairo. Learning English gives locals the opportunity to secure a wider range of jobs, pursue higher education and better support themselves financially.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
English is not widely spoken in Egypt’s poorer communities, but knowing the language can open doors to better job opportunities, especially in tourism and international business. Many low-income schools lack the resources to offer quality English education, and families often can’t afford private lessons. As a result, many in these areas grow up with limited access to the language, making it harder for them to compete in the job market later on.
As a volunteer English teacher in Cairo, you’ll be working with children and adults in NGOs, community centers or underfunded schools, providing them with valuable language skills. The classes are informal and interactive, allowing you to use creative teaching methods to keep students engaged, focusing on practical conversation skills. While knowing Arabic isn’t required, it can help you connect more easily with students and navigate everyday life in the city.
Teaching volunteer work can vary but generally includes:
- Teaching English language classes
- Lesson planning
- Helping with language skills and pronunciation
- Talking and connecting with students
- Assist with lessons in other subjects
Please note that during the month of Ramadan class attendance will be lower, or some classes may be cancelled. During this time volunteers can assist with other tasks at the Community Centres and NGOs, including helping packaging and distributing food to elderly and those in need in the community.
Why do Teaching English volunteering in Egypt with IVHQ?
When you join the Teaching English project in Egypt you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Helping improve access to education in Cairo’s poorer communities
- Giving students the chance to speak with a fluent English speaker
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining teaching experience abroad
- Immersing yourself in Egyptian culture
- Exploring Cairo and Egypt
Volunteer requirements
Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate in this program. If you are under 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad to explore these options
Volunteers are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
All volunteers must speak English and have adequate volunteer travel insurance.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Egypt photo gallery
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditRecommended online TEFL course
Recommended online TEFL course
We encourage volunteers on IVHQ’s Teaching and Childcare projects to come prepared by completing some relevant training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. Although formal teaching qualifications are not required on these projects as volunteers are supported by local staff, taking a TEFL course enables you to gain more from the experience. Visit our Online TEFL Course page to learn how to gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification at a discounted rate.
Get TEFL certified onlineLocation
Location
Cairo, Egypt’s historic capital, boasts the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum, offering a captivating mix of ancient wonders and modern life. Beyond typical tourist experiences, its lively streets, traditional markets, and the Nile River provide an immersive cultural experience.
Despite Egypt’s rich heritage and growing economy in some areas, many communities still struggle with limited access to education, healthcare, and animal welfare. Volunteers are crucial in supporting local efforts to improve living standards and provide essential aid. Located in and around Cairo, volunteer opportunities allow participants to make a real difference while experiencing the city’s vibrant culture.
Arrival and orientation
All Egypt volunteer projects start on the first and third Saturday of each month. Participants must arrive in Cairo the Friday before their selected start date.
After registering, book flights to Cairo International Airport (CAI). Airport pickup is included in the program fee. Upon arrival, a driver will meet you and transport you to the volunteer accommodation, approximately 45 minutes away (depending on traffic). This accommodation, covered by the program fee, includes the night before the mandatory full-day orientation on Saturday.
If you are already in Egypt, pickup from a central Cairo meeting point can be arranged for the Friday before your program begins.
The Saturday orientation, led by the local team in Cairo, covers essential information for your volunteer experience: an introduction to Cairo, local customs, rules, expectations, safety guidelines, travel opportunities within Egypt, and an overview of your specific project and placement. This session also provides an opportunity to connect with fellow volunteers.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On the first day of the volunteering placement, you will be escorted to the project by our local staff and introduced to the staff at the placement you will be working with.
Weekdays
You can expect to work a minimum of 3 hours, Sunday through Thursday. A typical day would be as follows:
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer apartment. |
| 9:00 AM | Volunteers travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project. |
| 12:00 - 2:30 PM | Lunch is served at the volunteer apartment. |
| 7:30 - 9:00 PM | Dinner at the volunteer apartment. After dinner you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish. |
Weekends
In Egypt, the work week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday considered the weekend. During the weekends, volunteers have spare time to relax or explore other parts of Cairo and Egypt. Cairo is home to some of Egypt’s most iconic landmarks, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Nile River.
Beyond Cairo, Egypt is home to a wealth of incredible attractions further afield, including Luxor & The Valley of the Kings, Aswan & Abu Simbel, The White Desert, Alexandria, Siwa Oasis, The Red Sea Riviera, Mount Sinai & St. Catherine’s Monastery.
Beyond Cairo’s famous attractions, Egypt offers a wealth of history, adventure, and natural beauty. To make the most of your trip, consider planning and pre-booking excursions to these sites through IVHQ. Contact us or your IVHQ Program Manager for more information and to secure your bookings for these unique Egyptian experiences.
Accommodation and WiFi
You’ll be hosted in an apartment with other volunteers and you can expect to share a room with up to 3 other volunteers of the same gender.
Living is basic yet comfortable, and has electricity and running water. Bedding is provided, but it is recommended that you bring your own sleeping bag if you wish to travel on the weekends, along with a towel and toiletries.
WiFi is available in the apartment. To keep connected when out and about, you can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone. The local team can assist you with this.
Meals
Volunteers receive daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Sunday to Thursday) at their accommodation. Breakfast and dinner are lighter meals featuring mixed platters with items like falafel, dips, beans, bread, eggs, and fresh produce. Lunch is the main meal, and both lunch and dinner include a variety of meats, breads, rice dishes, salads, and vegetables.
On weekends, volunteers can either use provided basic supplies to prepare their own meals or eat at nearby local restaurants.
Bottled water is easily accessible in Cairo, and a suggested budget is $10 per week for two liters daily. Please inform us of any special dietary needs when applying so we can accommodate them.
Pricing
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately $299) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $729 Equivalent to $104/day |
| 2 weeks | $1,019 Equivalent to $73/day |
| 3 weeks | $1,309 Equivalent to $62/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,599 Equivalent to $57/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,889 Equivalent to $54/day |
| 6 weeks | $2,179 Equivalent to $52/day |
| 8 weeks | $2,759 Equivalent to $49/day |
| 10 weeks | $3,339 Equivalent to $48/day |
| 12 weeks | $3,919 Equivalent to $47/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately $299) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Weekday (Sunday to Thursday) meals and basic meals supplies on weekends
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country emergency support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Check what's required to visit Egypt
Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Cairo |
| Population | 10.2 million |
| Languages | Egyptian Arabic |
| Currency | Egyptian pound (EGP) |
| Time zone | GMT+3 |
Weather and climate: Egypt has an arid, desert climate and the weather in Cairo is always warm, or hot, and the nights cool as it has a subtropical-desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures can reach the high 30s Celsius (86-95°F), especially in July and August, while winter temperatures average around 18°C (64°F). The city experiences occasional dust storms in March and April.
