Kenya: Volunteer English Teaching and Work-Experience

• Placement locations: Nakuru
• Types of schools: Primary (Secondary on request)
• Age of students: 6 - 18
• Class sizes: 50+
• Role: Teaching assistant (English)
• Extra-curricular roles: Art, Drama, Sports
• Accommodation: Host families
• Price: From £1495
• What’s included? Food, accommodation, transfers, insurance, personal webpage, induction and orientation, 24/7 support, social activities
• What’s not included? Flights, visa costs, spending money
• Length of placement: From one month
• Start dates: Flexible

You can gain work experience teaching at primary or secondary schools overseas in Kenya and no TEFL or other formal teaching qualification is required. Whether you want to volunteer teaching during your gap year, career break or holiday you will have a role to play and your efforts will be greatly appreciated.

Kenya’s two official languages are English and Swahili, however there are over 60 other different tribal dialects spoken throughout Kenya. This variety is a reflection of the country’s diverse population and timeless culture.

Kenya strives hard to ensure that everyone speaks fluent English and this is reflected through the education system. All schools, both primary and secondary are English speaking and all the lessons are carried out in English ensuring a bilingual policy for future generations.

Teaching in Kenya

Education is paramount in Kenya as they are fully aware that this is the key to development and progression. In 2003 primary education was made free and was an obligatory requirement for all children. This therefore meant that there was a huge influx of children but unfortunately there were not enough teachers. This is still the case today and the teacher, pupil ratio is a huge problem. Volunteers are therefore greatly welcomed in order to assist and take the pressure off the teachers and provide the children with the individual attention they so desperately need.

Our teaching placements are based in and around the town of Nakuru. The majority of our volunteers work in primary schools however volunteers with experience have the option of working in the secondary schools if they wish to, so please let us know if you have any preferences. All the lessons are taught in English and many volunteers teach and assist with a variety of different subjects and extra curriculum activities.

Volunteering on a Teaching Project in Kenya

Teaching volunteers often start as classroom assistants helping the local teacher with the classes and working with small groups of children on conversation based tasks. Depending on your ability and preferences you may be asked to take the timetabled classes for a range of ages.

Your encouragement and some well planned, interesting lessons are often all that are needed to spark an increased interest in the language and a desire to improve.

Volunteers also often get involved in teaching other subjects like sports, art and drama, so let us know if you have any specific skills or interests

The impact you have on the lives of your students will be obvious and long-lasting, but you will also be part of a much wider volunteer network, which is making a really positive contribution to the communities in which we work.