Teach English In Kenya

a world of opportunities

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Kirsten Colquhoun
January 4, 2024

Contents

Introduction
Teaching opportunities
Teaching requirements
Start your TEFL journey

How to begin teaching in Kenya

Kenya is situated on the east coast of Africa and is a mixture of beaches, mountains, savannah, and desert. It is an economic powerhouse and there is a big expat community, especially in the capital, Nairobi. Nairobi is also known as the ‘Safari Capital of the World’ and living here means you can enjoy an urban lifestyle while still being able to easily access the wilderness of Kenya.

All over Kenya, you are able to lead an exciting lifestyle. Kenya is famous for its wildlife and when you come here you will realize why. There are many game parks where you can go on safari and look for elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, rhino, and antelope. A balloon trip during the annual wildebeest migration from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti is a must. If you want, you can also climb high peaks or visit lakes in the Great Rift Valley. Around Mombasa, there are some gorgeous beaches just waiting to be explored.

Culturally speaking there are a few UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kenya. Lamu is one such place and every year during the Lamu Cultural Festival the community celebrates the past and the future with traditional poetry, henna painting, and donkey races. The Lake Turkana festival is an opportunity to experience traditional dances and food. Even better is the annual Camel Derby Festival which showcases colourful camel races.

Kenya has many national parks and wildlife reserves and has been a popular destination for tourists for years. A large appeal for travelling to Kenya is the chance of going on a safari. Some of the most well-known large animals that roam Kenya are elephants, rhinos, lions, and buffalos.

From a sporting point of view, Kenya have dominated long and middle-distance running for decades. The Kenyan gold medalist of the 2016 Rio men’s marathon, runner Eliud Kipchoge, famously became the first person to complete a marathon in under 2 hours in 2019. Although assisted by pace makers and not officially recognized, the amazing feat happened in Vienna with a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 40 seconds. One of the standout moments of the decade, it confirmed the Kenyan as one of the greatest sportsmen of his generation.

There are two official languages in Kenya: English and Swahili, although pockets throughout the country could easily speak other languages. Kenya became an independent country from the United Kingdom in 1963.

Teaching opportunities

While Kiswahili is the official language, English is seen as a necessity for progress and development. English is the language of instruction in schools. There are many foreigners working in Kenya and teaching is no exception. You are likely to find work in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nakuru in public schools or private language schools. Salaries are not high but will allow you to live comfortably.

There are many volunteer opportunities for teaching in more rural settings.

Teaching requirements in Kenya

Teaching English in Kenya can be an exciting and rewarding experience for those passionate about education. To work as an English teacher in Kenya, a BA/BS degree is required. Typical contracts last from 3 to 12 months, with peak hiring seasons in November and December.

To work in Kenya, you will need to obtain a work visa. Students of all ages may be your potential pupils. The average monthly cost of living in Kenya ranges from 70,000 to 95,000 KES ($500 – $700), while the average monthly salary for English teachers ranges from 75,000 to 115,000 KES ($550 – $850). With its stunning wildlife and natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality, teaching English in Kenya can be a truly enriching experience.

Start your TEFL journey with The TEFL Academy

Would you like to teach English as a foreign language around the world? Great! You’re in the right place. The TEFL Academy provides the very best in accredited TEFL courses, meaning your qualification is recognised throughout the world. The TEFL Academy is the world’s leading TEFL course provider. We can help you acquire the skills needed to teach English as a foreign language. Check out our TEFL internships, volunteer placements and the thousands of jobs on our exclusive TEFL jobs board.

Contents

How to begin teaching in Kenya

Kenya is situated on the east coast of Africa and is a mixture of beaches, mountains, savannah, and desert. It is an economic powerhouse and there is a big expat community, especially in the capital, Nairobi. Nairobi is also known as the ‘Safari Capital of the World’ and living here means you can enjoy an urban lifestyle while still being able to easily access the wilderness of Kenya.

All over Kenya, you are able to lead an exciting lifestyle. Kenya is famous for its wildlife and when you come here you will realize why. There are many game parks where you can go on safari and look for elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, rhino, and antelope. A balloon trip during the annual wildebeest migration from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti is a must. If you want, you can also climb high peaks or visit lakes in the Great Rift Valley. Around Mombasa, there are some gorgeous beaches just waiting to be explored.

Culturally speaking there are a few UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kenya. Lamu is one such place and every year during the Lamu Cultural Festival the community celebrates the past and the future with traditional poetry, henna painting, and donkey races. The Lake Turkana festival is an opportunity to experience traditional dances and food. Even better is the annual Camel Derby Festival which showcases colourful camel races.

Kenya has many national parks and wildlife reserves and has been a popular destination for tourists for years. A large appeal for travelling to Kenya is the chance of going on a safari. Some of the most well-known large animals that roam Kenya are elephants, rhinos, lions, and buffalos.

From a sporting point of view, Kenya have dominated long and middle-distance running for decades. The Kenyan gold medalist of the 2016 Rio men’s marathon, runner Eliud Kipchoge, famously became the first person to complete a marathon in under 2 hours in 2019. Although assisted by pace makers and not officially recognized, the amazing feat happened in Vienna with a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 40 seconds. One of the standout moments of the decade, it confirmed the Kenyan as one of the greatest sportsmen of his generation.

There are two official languages in Kenya: English and Swahili, although pockets throughout the country could easily speak other languages. Kenya became an independent country from the United Kingdom in 1963.

Teaching opportunities

While Kiswahili is the official language, English is seen as a necessity for progress and development. English is the language of instruction in schools. There are many foreigners working in Kenya and teaching is no exception. You are likely to find work in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nakuru in public schools or private language schools. Salaries are not high but will allow you to live comfortably.

There are many volunteer opportunities for teaching in more rural settings.

Teaching requirements in Kenya

Teaching English in Kenya can be an exciting and rewarding experience for those passionate about education. To work as an English teacher in Kenya, a BA/BS degree is required. Typical contracts last from 3 to 12 months, with peak hiring seasons in November and December.

To work in Kenya, you will need to obtain a work visa. Students of all ages may be your potential pupils. The average monthly cost of living in Kenya ranges from 70,000 to 95,000 KES ($500 – $700), while the average monthly salary for English teachers ranges from 75,000 to 115,000 KES ($550 – $850). With its stunning wildlife and natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality, teaching English in Kenya can be a truly enriching experience.

Start your TEFL journey with The TEFL Academy

Would you like to teach English as a foreign language around the world? Great! You’re in the right place. The TEFL Academy provides the very best in accredited TEFL courses, meaning your qualification is recognised throughout the world. The TEFL Academy is the world’s leading TEFL course provider. We can help you acquire the skills needed to teach English as a foreign language. Check out our TEFL internships, volunteer placements and the thousands of jobs on our exclusive TEFL jobs board.

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