Teaching ESL in Africa: Countries, Salaries, Qualifications and More

Africa is such a vast and beautiful continent. Where do we start with teaching ESL in Africa? 

ESL teachers of any qualification and experience level have a place to teach in Africa. It’s a huge continent with different cultures at every turn. You have the opportunity to choose a country that suits your needs and wants and immerse yourself in a unique culture. 

While volunteer teaching positions are abundant in Africa, you can find paid jobs as well. A volunteer position is a great option to become familiar with the teaching culture and gain experience. If you already have experience, a paid job is well within reach if you want to teach in Africa. 

Teaching English is a huge market in Africa’s many countries. If you possess a degree in another field as well, you will find yourself with even more opportunities. Most ESL teachers who have taught in Africa have great things to say about their experience. 

If teaching ESL in Africa sounds intriguing to you, continue reading!

Teaching ESL in Africa

There are a wide range of opportunities to teach ESL in Africa. With 54 countries in the continent, there are plenty of options to choose from. There are both paid jobs and volunteer positions, and what you choose will depend on your personal goals. For the purpose of this blog post, we will focus specifically on paid teaching jobs.

Africa is a vast continent and therefore the range of salaries differs from country to country. When you decide where you want to teach, you will have several considerations: local culture; salary and benefits; personal goals; travel opportunity; and personal comfort.  

In this article, we will describe the most popular countries to teach ESL in. We will go into detail about the qualifications required, salary and benefits offered, opportunities to teach, and things to consider. Don’t see a country you’re interested in? Write a comment below and let us know: we’ll do the research for you and add it to the article. 

Africa is widely recognised as a great place to teach ESL. The opportunities are endless! Keep reading and leave your comments below to help us improve the article. 

Requirements for teaching English in Africa

Requirements and qualifications differ for each country in Africa, so you need to do your research to make sure you meet them. Check out the most popular countries to teach ESL in, and the requirements and qualifications below. 

Egypt

• TEFL Certification;
• Fluent in English;
• Not required, preferred: 2+ years teaching experience, BA/BS.

Find out more here: Teaching English in Egypt.

Ghana

• TEFL Certification; 
• Citizen of Australia, Canada, E.U., or U.S.A (and fluent English speaker);
• Be in good health, and hold accident and sickness insurance;
• Not required, preferred: teaching experience, BA/BS.

Kenya

• TEFL Certification;
• BA/BS;
• 1+ year teaching experience.

Morocco

• BA/BS or TEFL certification;
• Native English speaker;
• Not required, preferred: Masters degree, teaching experience. 

Namibia

• TEFL Certification;
• BA.
• Not required, preferred: Teaching experience. 

Rwanda

• Native English speaker.
• Depending on school: BA, TEFL Certification, prior teaching experience. 

South Africa

• BA and/or TEFL certification (depending on school);
• Register with the South Africa Center for Education (SACE);
• Submit qualifications through the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA);
• Not required, preferred: native English speaker.

Tanzania

• BA/BS;
• Not required, preferred: TEFL certificate, previous teaching experience.

Uganda

• Fluent English skills;
• Not required, preferred: TEFL certificate, BA/BS, previous teaching experience. 

Salary and Benefits for teaching ESL in Africa

There are endless opportunities to teach ESL in Africa, but many of them are volunteer jobs. It’s possible to find paid positions, but they are few and far between. You’ll need to do a thorough job of searching job listings that meet your criteria. See below for the salary and benefits of select African countries:

Egypt

• Salary is between $1200-$2500USD per month; 
• Public schools pay less – private schools pay much more; 
• Little benefits in less known schools – private schools will offer return flights, housing, bonuses. Research individual schools before applying. 

Ghana

• Salary is around $500USD per month;
• Housing is sometimes provided by your employer. 

Kenya

• Salary is around $800USD per month;
• Little benefits – housing sometimes provided.

Morocco

• Salary is between $800-$1400USD per month;
• Housing allowance;
• Return airfare;
• 18 days of paid vacation by law (in addition to government holidays);
• Health insurance.

Namibia

• Salary is under $300USD per month;
• Little to no benefits.

Rwanda

• Salary is under $300USD per month;
• Little to no benefits. 

South Africa

• Average salary is between $900-$1400USD per month;
• Housing and flight benefits are not usually provided.

Tanzania

• Salary is between $150-$200USD per month
• Little to no benefits. 

Uganda

• Salary is usually up to $200USD per month, at most. 
• Little to no benefits. 

As you can see, there are countries with decent salaries, and others with the bare minimum. If you want to teach in one of the lower paying countries, you will need to be financially prepared with savings. Furthermore, don’t expect to receive benefits. This is why you will need to have savings for when you teach. Most African countries are great options to gain teaching experience, but they are not a money maker. 

Teaching opportunities in Africa

There are a number of places you might consider teaching abroad in Africa. Here are some of the top ones to consider.

Volunteer opportunities

Volunteer jobs are abundant in Africa. You can find just about any job volunteering to teach ESL. If you have adequate savings, it is a great option. Sometimes you’ll receive stipends for food, but not much. 

Public schools

Public schools are a great option starting out to teach ESL in Africa. They don’t pay much and benefits are hard to come by, but they provide the most authentic experience of teaching in Africa. Although the classroom can be chaotic at times, it’s a lot of fun and the students are keen to learn. Don’t expect a whole lot of monetary benefits – the experience itself will be a benefit for your future of teaching. 

International schools

In Africa, private international schools are the best option for paid jobs. You can expect to make enough money to meet the cost of living, perhaps as well as a bit to save. Students are generally well-behaved in these schools and are excited to learn. They are run professionally and are usually staffed by high-class local members of society. Benefits are still not always given, but depending on school, can be great. 

Private tutoring

Tutoring is a great option for teachers looking to make a few extra dollars. Not many families will be able to afford paid tutoring, though. You may have to search for opportunities around your place of employment, but it is possible. Within families that can afford to pay for private tutoring, you can expect around a maximum of $5 per hour, likely less. 

Things to consider about teaching ESL in Africa

There are several important considerations you need to think about before deciding to teach in Africa:

• This is not a place to save money. Most places in Africa will pay you around the cost of living or much less;
• Teaching conditions differ around Africa, depending on the country and the school. Teaching resources are limited in many areas;
• Local language depends on the country and area. Some areas are more fluent in English, while in others there is very little knowledge;
• Depending on the region, you need to go to your doctor before any travel. You may require vaccinations – check with your family doctor and government advice;
• Also by region, some are Islamic and others are Christian. Cultural differences vary – check with the local guidelines to ensure you follow the appropriate laws and local norms;
• Safety also differs around Africa. Your local government will usually provide travel advice;
• LGBTQ rights and acceptance differ across Africa.

FAQs for teaching English in Africa

Here are some of the most popular questions that people have if they want to teach in Africa.

How much do ESL teachers earn in Africa? 

ESL teachers can earn as low as nothing or a few hundred dollars a month, to upwards of $2000USD per month. Egypt, Morocco and South Africa are options to make a decent wage, while other countries may be closer to a volunteer opportunity than a paid opportunity. If you have qualifications that make you stand out, you can expect to find more opportunities that fit your needs. 

What kind of benefits can I expect while I teach ESL in Africa?

Generally, not many countries in Africa offer benefits. Many of these are developing countries and do not have the funds to provide benefits like housing and return flights, or even a decent salary. Some governments require paid vacation, like Morocco. It’s an important consideration when you choose where you want to teach. Make sure to ask specific questions when you meet with school staff and employers. 

Is it hard to teach ESL in Africa?

It is not especially hard to teach students in Africa, but outside factors may hinder your ability to thrive. Many countries are developing and will display a very different quality of life from Western countries. You may feel culture shock and dismay, although that motivates some. Life on the continent may not always be comfortable, but you are doing a service to the locals and helping them learn a great new skill. 

Can I save money while I teach English in Africa?

It will be extremely difficult to save money while you teach in Africa. Most countries don’t offer much in the way of a salary. In fact, you will require savings before you travel to ensure you’re able to cover costs related to living. 

You will need to have a level of comfort knowing that you’re not making a lot of money, but making a huge difference in kids‘ lives. Most people say it is a fulfilling experience and creates lifelong positive memories. 

Look forward to a new article on volunteering in Africa soon! Please post below for other countries you’d like to know more information about.

Have your Say about Teaching English in Africa

What are your thoughts about teaching English on this amazing continent? Is it the right option for you, or are you considering teaching in another area like the Middle East? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.

Also, be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other English teachers, like yourself, find this useful guide.

Last update on 2021-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API