Your teaching project begins with a thrilling journey high above the turquoise Indian Ocean, as you fly to Mafia Island – the most beautiful of Tanzania's Spice Islands, where tranquil white sand beaches, friendly villagers, and world-class scuba diving sites combine to make this a true tropical paradise.
Your teaching assignment will integrate you into your host community as a welcome new member. You'll help teach students basic English and depending on the need, other subjects of your choosing, and you'll have ample opportunity to play sports and games with them, put on plays and concerts, and do other fun activities.
Tanzania, though beautiful and welcoming, is one of the poorest countries in the world. Access to basic education is scarce and many people in rural areas rely on subsistence farming to sustain a living. This is your chance to change the lives of those around you for the better and leave a legacy that will last for decades to come.
WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?
Teaching in Tanzania
Tanzania's sophisticated education system was severely affected in the 1980s by economic difficulties, and the literacy and school attendance rates have since plummeted. Government programmes are in place to have all primary school-aged children in school, particularly girls, to address the poor attendance rate. In addition, only 5% of secondary school-aged children currently attend school.
You could be working at a variety of institutions, interacting with students of all ages, teaching basic conversational English. Lots of people will be keen to learn English and practise speaking with you. To teach, you will need to be patient, flexible, a confident communicator and able to use your initiative and imagination.
Learning a few basics in Swahili will help you a lot but don’t worry, – you will have plenty of opportunities to learn when you get here! Lessons will be fun and interactive, developing the students' confidence and conversational skills.
Other Teaching Activities
Students will be interested in life where you come from. You may be able to get involved teaching other activities such as sports, music or science, if you are interested and have the relevant skills; this will obviously depend upon the students' needs. There may also be the possibility of linking up with our marine conservation programme to arrange collaborations for environmental education.
What Will I Be Doing?
Whilst on your placement you will work with the local primary school in Utende. Duties will include teaching English and potentially other subjects, depending on need and experience. You will usually have your own class for English lessons and may also be required to assist other teachers in class as well. Outside of the formal school hours, teaching volunteers are encouraged to arrange extracurricular activities such as sports and games and lead environmental education days in conjunction with the marine conservation project.
During the holidays, volunteers have an excellent opportunity to really make a difference by holding holiday classes, particularly in English, and working with the marine project to implement community environmental education and workshops.Please consider school holiday dates when booking your placement so be sure to ask one of our recruitment advisors for further information.
Although their lives may seem difficult, the local children are extremely cheerful and friendly and will be eager to learn, as well as finding out more about you and where you come from. After a busy and rewarding week of teaching you will have a well deserved weekend break. You can spend time relaxing on the stunning beach close to camp, visit Chole island and see historic ruins and swim in the blue lagoon or pop into Kilindoni to get some tasty treats.
