Teach English in Tanzania

From a holistic primary curriculum to specialized English language studies, a stable education sets the stage for future success in the Tanzanian school system. Foreign teachers working in Tanzania have the chance to help bright students harness their strengths and excel throughout their academic careers and lives.

Outside of the classroom, Tanzania’s unique culture and abundant natural wonders turn the teacher into the student. While traveling in this East African nation, learn to whip up traditional dishes like ugali, witness the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti, or train your hiking skills for a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro.

Most importantly, overseas teachers help support education in Tanzania and provide expanded opportunities for a new generation of students.

Primary Education

In Tanzania, foreign teachers can help instruct in the core areas of a primary curriculum. As an educator, you’ll have to be versatile and able to deliver lessons in math, science, art, and other fields. With a solid foundation, young students will have the tools they need to advance their studies. Explore organizations like Cross-Cultural Solutions for such teaching opportunities for overseas educators.

English Language Classes

If English is your first language, then consider teaching reading, writing, and speaking skills to students in Tanzania. Typically, these positions are available in primary schools to give children early exposure to the language and help them expand their global communication abilities. To teach English overseas, many educators opt to go through international programs like Plan My Gap Year.

Community Learning

In addition to traditional studies, there are also opportunities to instruct on practices that strengthen communities. Generally geared towards folks of all ages, this type of learning tends to be more practical in nature and operates outside of a traditional classroom. Ngerengere River Eco Camp, for example, places educators in roles that train on sustainability, bringing local people together in the process.

From having the right qualifications to applying at the optimal time, here are a few things to keep in mind when job hunting for teaching opportunities in Tanzania.

When to Apply for Jobs in Tanzania

With the school year in this East African nation commencing in January, it will be in your best interest to start seeking teaching opportunities well in advance. Plan to submit your applications a few months in advance to allow time for the hiring process -- and the part where you move to another country. If you plan on teaching in a non-traditional school system, opportunities will likely be available year-round.

How to Apply for Jobs in Tanzania

To apply for jobs in Tanzania, it’s recommended that you go through an overseas organization that will place you in your target role, whether that’s teaching a general curriculum or English language skills. To do this, you’ll need the usual job application materials, like a resume and references.

However, since this isn’t just a usual job, you’ll need to supply additional information demonstrating your passion for overseas education specifically. This may come in the form of a personal statement or cover letter, where you’ll need to outline how your skills translate into an international education setting.

Average Salary of Teaching Jobs in Tanzania

On average, teachers in Tanzania earn the equivalent of $150 to $250 per month. Keep in mind, while paid opportunities do exist for overseas educators, it’s more likely that you’ll be volunteering to teach. As such, you may receive a modest allowance to cover food and essentials, or you may not receive monetary compensation at all. In any case, plan to have enough savings to support yourself overseas.

Qualifications Needed

For most teach abroad opportunities in Tanzania, a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is required. Though it doesn’t have to be in education specifically, having an interest in academics and the material being taught will certainly help. If you plan on teaching English, a TEFL certificate will strengthen your resume, as will some hands-on professional experience in education.

Which Tanzanian destinations are popular for teaching overseas? What are the country's visa requirements? This section will answer these common logistical questions about teaching in Tanzania.

Popular Destinations to Teach in Tanzania

Teaching in Tanzania will likely take you outside of major cities and into countryside towns. In Moshi, situated on Tanzania’s northern edges, you can support remote classrooms and embark on an array of outdoor activities in your spare time, from attempting Mount Kilimanjaro to going on a safari.

Morogoro, a rural village in Tanzania’s central region, and Bagamoyo, an east coast town, are other common destinations for foreign educators. Other than mainland opportunities, schools in the islands of Zanzibar also take on overseas teachers to help with classroom instruction.

Visas & Sponsorship

Whether you’re a paid educator or an unpaid volunteer, teaching overseas in Tanzania requires a permit. This can be obtained after you enter the country, meaning you’ll ultimately have both a tourist visa and a work permit. A letter from your school or organization is required when applying for the latter, making it vital to arrange your teaching gig before you depart.

Teacher Work Culture in Tanzania

Around the world, teaching is by no means regarded as a laid-back profession, and the work culture in Tanzania is no exception. Education is a key resource for development, and foreign teachers are expected to adequately support students in their journey to secondary school or beyond.

Additionally, your responsibilities to education are equally as important as your responsibilities to the community. When teaching overseas in Tanzania, it’s also important to adjust to the local culture in order to better connect with students inside and outside of the classroom.

Classroom Etiquette in Tanzania

In some cases, foreign teachers may find the average class size in Tanzania’s public schools to be a bit crowded. Yet no matter the number of students, these classrooms remain organized spaces. Students typically address their teachers formally and demonstrate good manners. Such an atmosphere is anything but stiff, with eager students helping to make the lessons come alive and the days fly by.

Healthy & Safety

For most visitors to Tanzania, the CDC recommends hepatitis A and typhoid shots. Based on your specific destination and planned activities within the country, additional vaccinations may be needed, such as cholera, malaria, or rabies shots.

Theft or violent crime, plus the threat of terrorist activity, have caused the U.S. Department of State to encourage extra care when traveling in Tanzania. Additionally, it’s advised to keep copies of your passport and permit on hand in case local authorities need to verify them.