THE BRITISH COUNCIL’S EDUCATIONAL ENTERPRISE IN EGYPT AFTER THE SUEZ CANAL CRISIS: A REBIRTH OF ANGLO-EGYPTIAN LINKS

Malika Sahel

Abstract: Developments and changes of policy and opinion in both Britain and Egypt during the 1960’s, offered the British Council an opportunity to attempt the restoration and improvement of its local standing overseas particularly in Egypt, a very influential Arab country, as it was before the Suez Canal Crisis (1956). The Egyptian authorities identified the teaching of the English language as a first priority because it was perceived as a prerequisite means of communication with the world. Thus, the educational field was announced as the main available field for the British Council’s action, at a time instability in the AngloEgyptian political relations prevailed. For instance, in 1961 full diplomatic relations between the two countries were resumed by Egypt.

Keywords: Egypt, British Council, Educational Enterprise, Teaching, Anglo/Egyptian Links

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2017.0615001