Tutoring English for kids in Africa
14 May 2024
Teachers of English and those with specialisations in art, music, IT, and physical or health education have several options in Africa. Because this continent is so varied, with many areas and cultural groups, every teacher's experience will be unique. Living and working might be done in the desert, on the seaside, in a remote rural village, or a busy metropolitan setting. In any case, teaching abroad is an experience that may completely transform your life.
In Africa and want to teach English? We handle everything! Discover more about the many teaching positions available in Africa and typical pay and perks.
Africa teaching job categories
Teaching English in Africa can be done in some ways, including working as an instructor at language institutes, tutoring privately for families who want their children taught by native speakers, and volunteering with groups like Teach for America or Peace Corps.
Teaching as a Volunteer
A local school volunteer programme is among the most significant choices available to new teachers in Africa. Numerous programs seek native English speakers with little to no background in teaching younger kids in underdeveloped, rural settings. Public, private, or religious schools can all use volunteers. You could be assigned to teach maths, physics, computer literacy, or any other topic, but most schools need ESL teachers.
There are somewhat high HIV/AIDS rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. As such, volunteers can support or launch health education initiatives that will increase knowledge and help them make wise choices. For instance, AIDs awareness camps are conducted by Support for International Change.
Schools abroad
Most international schools are managed privately and are found in large African cities. Since education is mainly in English, children of wealthy or expatriate families typically attend international schools. While some offer a bilingual curriculum, some international schools adhere to the International Baccalaureate (I.B.) system. However, foreign institutions want certified, experienced instructors who can commit for two years or more.
Tutoring for kids and adults
You may augment your teaching salary in many big cities by providing individual English tutoring. To have their kids speak English better, some families pay part-time tutors—furthermore, a few company executives like to work with a native English speaker in conversation. Online language teaching is therefore growing in favour in Morocco and other Northern African nations. Additionally, kid tutoring is increasing in popularity. Their kids' future worries parents more and more, as does the need for early language learning.
African English teaching average pay and perks
In Africa, the average monthly salary for an English instructor varies by nation.
In South Africa, for instance, an English instructor makes, on average, between $400 and USD 1,700. Still, Namibia's average pay is more than USD 700 per month. An average teacher in Ghana makes between $150 and USD 250 a month. On average, a Moroccan ESL instructor makes between $1,300 and $3,200. Moreover, an ESL instructor in Egypt makes between $450 and USD 1,098.50 a month.
Benefits common to teachers
While perks for teachers vary among countries and even within schools, some anticipated advantages for African teachers might include:
- Payable time off
- Advantages to health
- Retiree
- Medical plans
- Return of tickets
- Salary tax-free up to USD 25,000 (in Tunisia)
African English language schools
When your choices span 54 nations, choosing a teaching location in Africa is challenging! Like starting a new career in any new place, you must do your homework beforehand! Explore these African teaching hubs first:
Ghana
Namibia, a country in Southwest Africa, is a mingling pot of Southern African and German traditions. Even if English is the national language, teachers are still needed, especially for grammar and reading instruction.
Teachers will discover that, despite the turbulent political history of the nation, Namibians are incredibly friendly. All teachers must be fluent English speakers with a bachelor's degree and a TEFL/TESOL certification. Though volunteers in Namibia get a monthly stipend of about $350, salaries are low; teachers will be able to support themselves. Remember that imported products are expensive; examples include clothes and oil.
Marocco
Most Moroccans are bilingual in French and Arabic. However, since international trade and tourism have expanded domestically in recent years, English has quickly risen to the third most spoken language among natives. Time spent in Morocco will benefit your professional and personal discoveries, even though some traditions and legislation may surprise an English-speaking instructor.
Teachers can make between $1,300 and USD 3,200 a month; individual tutoring courses might help you supplement your income. A teaching certificate will enable you to land full-time jobs or tutoring classes at reasonable compensation. Still, Moroccan companies are forgiving of teaching credentials and frequently hire individuals who need them.
Guinea
A former French possession, Teaching in Senegal is special. The government recognises French as the official language even though Wolof is the first and native tongue of most people. With the Senegalese Ministry of Education hoping to make English a required subject in all schools, it has emerged as the primary second or third language.
Schools around Senegal are seeking French and English instructors to educate future pupils to be trilinguals. An average foreign teacher makes about USD 26,000 a year if they can land a job at a private school. Along with lodging, volunteers occasionally get meals. Volunteers do not need a TEFL certificate; private school teachers must hold one and have taught for at least two years.
Egypt
The educational system in many of Egypt has to be improved. Teachers of English in language schools, academies, and primary schools are in great demand.
The Ministry of Education started the New Schools Programme to give Egyptian public schools more assistance and competent instructors. Teachers may thus make anywhere from $450 to USD 1,098.50 a month. Though this is plenty for everyday living in Egypt, daily expenses are more significant in cities like Cairo.
Ghana
Ghana's government, one of the most progressive in Africa, is working to improve access to healthcare and education for all. It is a massive project, though, and more has to be done. Most students in Ghana who study English will find that while they understand the language well, their written English has to be improved.
Ghana is focusing impressively on English language education, which is gradually becoming more important in regional and international collaboration. The local schools in Ghana offer many opportunities for native speakers to challenge the current language curriculum by jumping right in. Teachers usually make between $150 and USD 250 a month, which, while not much, is sufficient to pay for everyday costs.
Southern Africa
Three of the biggest cities in South Africa, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban, offer TEFL teachers many options. If you'd rather be farther out, go to Pretoria or Nairobi.
African English teaching jobs: how to land one?
African progress depends critically on English language instruction. Africans will be more able to interact with individuals from other nations and enhance trade and commercial ties the more English speakers there are on the continent.
Where may one look for employment?
All the skills you need to teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) in any school setting are provided via certification courses across Africa. Depending on your budget and preferences, you may select an online course or a classroom-based one.
When should I apply
Although there are always jobs available teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), certain seasons are busier than others. Therefore, applying for jobs in summer and winter is always a brilliant idea. TEFL job searches from teachers and students also spike in the autumn and spring because of variations in seasonal demand.
Requirements
The teachers at African schools or programmes are usually expected to be fluent English speakers. Still, many businesses understand additional credentials, including a TEFL certificate and previous teaching experience. Your sole requirement for volunteering is native proficiency in the language you will be teaching. You may need more than a bachelor's degree to teach at an international school; you might also need two or more years of experience.
VISA for employment
In many African nations, getting a work visa is challenging unless you intend to work at a specific institution for more than two years. Volunteers and short-term teachers will often work on a tourist or temporary visa. If you agree to work for a school or other organisation for over a year, your employer will sponsor your visa. Schools or volunteer organisations would only provide work visas or residence permits for paid temporary jobs because there is a small market currently.