
Trip 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
Overview
Overview
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!
Program Requirements
Program Requirements
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 Roles & Responsibilities
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.
Volunteer Work Schedule
Volunteer Work Schedule
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.
Living
Living
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, which have specific routes from your accommodation to Stone Town and onto other destinations. It can be time-consuming but also a great start of the day to experience transport the local way; life stock and big mamas all squeezed into a small minibus. In the first two days, the coordinator will take you to your project and pick you up, but after that, you will need to do it by yourself.
The daladala is very cheap and runs often so fit in and do things like a local!
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 just outside Stone Town and close to the airport. You can expect to share a room with other volunteers. We typically use 3-4 host families in the area for our volunteers to stay.
Two of the host families are located next to each other with a local bar within walking distance.
When we receive larger groups of volunteers they are accommodated in our volunteer house. The volunteer house is a fairly large Zanzibar home with a living room/dining room, as well as the kitchen. It accommodates up to 8 volunteers in 2 different rooms and 2 bathrooms. The house has a garden with a secure wall and gate to make sure you are as safe as possible.
Bedding is provided in the form of sheets, but 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!
Within easy reach, you will find the main road with food stalls to buy fresh juices, Mandazi (local doughnuts) and any other basic needs. Zanzibar has the most amazing fruit selection and you will find yourself spoiled with the availability and affordability of fruit on the island. Within 20 minutes walk you can find 2 popular bars with fast internet and supermarket with some imported (and expensive) goodies to treat yourself every now and then.
Meals
Meals are provided 3 times a day by your host. Meals are based on local ingredients and will include meat, chicken, seafood and vegetarian dishes, as well as the favorite ‘chipsi’ (fries) and pancakes. 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
Dates
2023
2024
January
15
22
29
February
05
12
19
26
March
05
12
April
May
14
21
28
June
July
02
09
16
23
30
August
06
13
20
27
September
03
10
17
24
October
01
08
15
22
29
November
05
December
January
14
21
28
February
04
11
18
25
March
April
21
28
May
05
12
19
26
June
02
09
16
23
30
July
07
14
21
28
August
04
11
18
25
September
01
08
15
22
29
October
06
13
20
27
November
03
December
Past Date
Available
Unavailable
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Costs
Costs
Please Note: -An application fee of $229 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. (A 4% international banking fee is charged at the time of payment)
What are you 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 (shared rooms)
- Meals (3 meals a day)
- Guidance and supervision during your stay
- Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)
What's NOT included?
- Flights
- Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
- Personal Expenses
- Transport on the island with local taxis, bicycle or private transport
- Zanzibar Medical Council Certification fee for qualified professionals
- Visa and Work Permit Fee
Reviews
Reviews
Frequently asked questions
FAQ's Application and Program Details
Flights and Visa
Health and Safety
Accommodation and Living
Connect with Past Volunteers
More projects in Tanzania
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