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Volunteer Teaching in Tanzania – Zanzibar

Under this project volunteers are placed in different schools, nursery, primary or secondary to teach English to the local students in the historic Stone Town area of Zanzibar.

Tanzania

country

1-12 Weeks

duration

from $625

price

18 years+

min age

Highlights

The English Teaching Project aims at educational development of underprivileged children in Zanzibar
English as a language yields high returns professionally in tourism dependant economy of Zanzibar thus assisting students helps better their future
Volunteers at the project are placed in different primary and secondary schools in and around the region
During weekends, volunteers can travel around in Tanzania and explore the region with fellow volunteers

Volunteering as an English Teacher in Zanzibar will not only help you to shape the future of these kids, but it’ll also sharpen your skills and abilities. The Teaching English Volunteer Program is a great opportunity for volunteers looking for international work experience in the education sector.

Under this project, volunteers are usually placed in different schools – nursery, primary or secondary, to teach basic English lessons to the local students. Zanzibar, being a part of Tanzania, isn’t a much-developed region and derives most of its income from tourism. Hence, the knowledge of English is essential.

The schools, under this project, lack the basic infrastructure and inappropriate curriculum. Due to administrative issues like short staffing, proper education is not imparted to the students. All these schools are in need of good educators who can also take care of them and guide them for a better future. English and Maths are the two main subjects that need to be taught. The teachers themselves need help with English speaking and mostly converse in the local language. The classrooms are big and the facilities are extremely basic.

You can make a difference here by supporting the schools, the teachers and the principals, not only by offering assistance in teaching English but also by adding bigger goals to their lives. And this will help you to learn a lot about life as well!

Want to see other ways to make an impact? Check out our Volunteer in Africa programs.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Being a volunteer, you’ll get to work alongside the English teachers and current staff in leading the classes in improving the pronunciation and conversational skills.
Make daily plans and keep the class engaged. Apart from English, also teach the basics of Maths to the kids.
Focus on the weaker kids, and see how you can help them out. Keep a tab on the growth of your students.
Help in improving the vocabulary of the students. Prepare test sheets for regular assessments.
The best would be to focus on interactive sessions and activity-based learning methods.
Involve the students in ‘out-of-the-class’ activities, so that they can gain more practical knowledge.
Ask the teachers/principals, in case they need any sort of assistance.

Requirements & eligibility

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Volunteers need to be flexible, open-minded and have a passion for working with children. You should also be proactive and have an ability to take initiative All volunteers must provide a clean criminal background check report prior to joining the program.

Volunteer work schedule

A typical day

As a volunteer for the English Teaching Program in Zanzibar, Tanzania, your general schedule would be:

Sunday – Arrival at the destination (Zanzibar)
Monday – An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering the major topics such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestions for things to do in Zanzibar.
Tuesday to Friday – Volunteer work at the placement.
Weekends – Free to explore the city.
Breakfast – 07:00 am onwards.
Working hours at the placement – 08:30 am to 01:00 pm.
Lunch – 01:00 pm to 02:45 pm (volunteer work post-lunch depends on the requirement)
Dinner – 07:00 pm onwards.

The same work schedule continues from the second week onwards (Monday – Friday).

Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the project the volunteer is participating on. Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim and can have a significant impact on any participant who happens to volunteer during the time of Ramadan. The participant schedule shall vary during this time of the year.

Gallery

Life on the programme

Living

Accommodation & meals

Find a beautiful abode away from home in Zanzibar. Volunteering Solutions ensures that our volunteers get the “at home” atmosphere while volunteering.

Airport Transfer

As Zanzibar is semi-autonomous and part of Tanzania you can fly straight to Zanzibar (over Nairobi, Kilimanjaro or other international airports) or fly to Dar es Salaam. If you fly to Dar es Salaam you need to take a cab to the ferry to Zanzibar, where you can buy a ticket for the relaxing 40-minute boat ride to the island. It is very important that we know about your travel arrangements so the coordinators can be ready for you to arrive. Upon arrival at either the airport or ferry terminus, you will be welcomed by the coordinator who will show you around and take you to your accommodation.

Daily Transport

Most volunteers use the daladalas or buses, which have specific routes from your accommodation to Stone Town and onto other destinations. There are direct buses to Stone Town from Mbweni and Chukwani where the accommodations are located.

Orientation

All volunteers are given an orientation about their project and the location by the local coordinator.

Accommodation

Accommodation is offered with host families in the safe area of Mbwemi and Chukwani just outside Stone Town and close to the airport. You can expect to share a room with other volunteers. Mostly 2-3 volunteers share a room together.

When we receive larger groups of volunteers or during busy months of summer volunteers are also accommodated in volunteer housing. The house would be usually a fairly large Zanzibar home with a living room/dining room, as well as the kitchen. It can usually accommodates up to 8 -12 volunteers in different rooms.

Bedding is provided in the form of sheets, but you need to bring a towel for personal use. Mosquito nets are not provided so you can bring one if you choose to. If you don’t have enough space in your suitcase; it is cheap to buy things locally.

The accommodation can be basic, standards are very different in Zanzibar then back home most probably, and showers do not have hot water, but the weather is hot enough to shower cold!

Zanzibar has the most amazing fruit selection and you will find yourself spoiled with the availability and affordability of fruit on the island.

Meals

Meals are provided 3 times a day by your host. Meals are based on local ingredients and will include meat, chicken and vegetarian dishes, as well as most favorite Tanzanian dishes. Breakfast will generally consist of tea and coffee, toast, jam and peanut butter with some fruit while lunches and dinners are cooked meals which you can eat after work and at your own preferred time.

During your Free Time

Volunteers will have a lot of free time during the weekend. During weekdays too, your evenings would be free. Some of the activities that you can get involved in during your free time in Zanzibar.

Visit the old forts, museums and beautiful streets of Stone Town
Eat all the seafood you can at Forodhani Gardens in the evening
Go on a spice tour to see how cloves, nutmeg and much more are grown
Go swimming in crystal clear water
Snorkel or dive to some of the most beautiful reefs of the world.
Relax and live the island lifestyle!

All free time activities are at the participant’s own expense.

Dates

Start dates

Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.

AvailableFilling fastFully booked

Costs

Program fees by duration Currency

A one-off application fee ($249 / £179 / €229 / AU$350) is charged in addition to the program fee — valid for one year, during which you may enrol in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.

Duration	Program fee
1 week	$625
2 weeks	$820
3 weeks	$1,040
4 weeks	$1,245
5 weeks	$1,475
6 weeks	$1,705
7 weeks	$1,935
8 weeks	$2,165
Each additional week	+$300 / week

Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.

✓ What you're paying for

24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
Personal collection upon arrival at Zanzibar airport or ferry terminal
First day introduction at the project and surroundings
Accommodation in host family or shared housing with other volunteers
Meals (3 meals a day)
Guidance and supervision during your stay

Not included

Flights
Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
Personal Expenses
Local Transportation
Visa Fee

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Application & getting started

When should I apply?

Apply as soon as your dates are decided — spots are limited. The application fee is valid for a full year, so you can apply early to secure your place.

How do I apply and when do I pay?

Fill in the online application form and pay the application fee. The program fee can be paid later, even in instalments, but must be complete 45 days before the program starts.

What are the requirements?

Participants must usually be at least 17 (families welcome with younger children), with an open mind, good health and respect for local customs. A clear criminal background check is required from all adults.

Accommodation, meals & support

Where will I stay and what about food?

You stay in a volunteer house or with a host family, with meals provided. Private-room upgrades are usually available.

Is there support while I'm there?

Yes — a local coordinator gives you an orientation on arrival and is available 24/7 throughout your placement.

Health, safety & visa

Do I need insurance and vaccinations?

Valid travel-medical insurance is mandatory (available from us at a nominal cost). Consult your travel doctor for recommended vaccinations; your pre-departure pack covers the details.

Do you help with the visa?

Yes — all enrolled participants get visa-requirement information in the pre-departure manual, and your point of contact can answer questions.

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