About this role
High School English Teacher
Project Description: Are you interested in sharing knowledge and skills with younger generations to help them excel academically? Malawi is the place for you!
To prepare the youth for global opportunities, public schools across Malawi transition to English as the medium of instruction for all subjects after grade 5. However, persistent challenges—including a shortage of teachers, limited resources, and inadequate infrastructure—impact the country’s ability to provide accessible, high-quality education. Many teachers continue to teach using the more familiar Chichewa language. As a result, many students, particularly those in rural or underserved areas, struggle to comprehend English, leading to high failure rates on national examinations.
As a High School English Teacher, you will collaborate with school staff to strengthen classroom instruction and learning outcomes. Your support will extend beyond the classroom through teacher trainings, English clubs, and community activities. Your service will help shape Malawi’s next generation of leaders.
Required Skills: Bachelor's degree in any discipline.
Living Conditions: Volunteers live in rural or semi-urban communities across the country. Housing will be approximately two miles away from the work site. Some homes have electricity while others do not. In areas with no electricity, renewable energy solutions help support daily needs. Water is accessed from communal sources such as boreholes.
Activities: Teach engaging English lessons using student-centered methodologies. Facilitate extracurricular events or activities. Establish a school library program with sustainable management practices. Teach lessons that support the development of employability and life skills. Facilitate teacher training sessions to strengthen English instructional skills. Organize environmental education activities, such as tree planting. Plan and facilitate facility improvement projects.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as computer studies and sports.
Training: As a High School English Teacher, you will be trained on general teaching practices, subject-specific instruction techniques, and effective facilitation skills. Peace Corps/Malawi will equip you with Chichewa, Tumbuka, or Tonga language resources. You may also work with a tutor who can help you build basic language skills to connect with the community.
After nine weeks of training, you will move to rural or semi-urban community where you will collaborate with secondary schools and other community organizations. You will work with the community to assess the needs and develop solutions based on community priorities.
Job Highlights: Receive high-quality training that equips you to teach English internationally and address sustainable development goals through education. Experience the rich culture, natural wonders, and warm hospitality that have earned Malawi the nickname, "the warm heart of Africa." Engage in traditional forms of living, learn the value of communal life, and build lasting friendships rooted in mutual understanding.