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teach english in cameroon

Teach English in Cameroon

Politically and culturally unique, Cameroon is a different kind of test for TEFL teachers, but there are lucrative jobs on offer if you know where to look.

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One of the most densely populated countries in Africa, Cameroon is an extremely interesting nation with a stunning coastline, incredible biodiversity and a linguistically diverse population. Known as “Africa in miniature”, Cameroon is a mix of a range of cultures, with some of the most incredible natural parks and safaris in the world. Sites like the Dja Faunal Reserve, the Adamawa Plateau and Mount Cameroon bring intrepid explorers from all over the world, with Cameroon receiving over a million visitors yearly.

As a TEFL destination, Cameroon is interesting, but not without complication. With areas of Cameroon having been colonised by both France and Britain, regions of the country are either Anglophone or Francophone, and the disputes between these communities have been intense. Separatist Anglophone movements have stemmed from the northwest and southwest of the country. The majority of Cameroon speaks French and the capital, Yaoundé, is in the French-speaking part of the country.

This makes it tricky to get an accurate picture of the TEFL scene within Cameroon - the landscape is ever-changing - but what we do know is that there are jobs, and there is interest in English. With Cameroon having access to enormously lucrative exports, Business English is important, while for the country’s children, there’s value to being multilingual, wherever they’re based within the country.

So, where can jobs be found in Cameroon? Where are the best teaching salaries? What qualifications do you need to teach in this jewel of West Africa? Let’s take a look.

Cameroon: an overview

With its unique set of challenges and characteristics, Cameroon isn’t necessarily the first country on every TEFL teacher’s list. However, there is a lot to enjoy, and there’s plenty for socially conscious ESL teachers to do to make a lasting impact.

Cameroon has one of the best rates of literacy in Africa, with an adult literacy rate of about 78%, though this is primarily concentrated in urban areas as opposed to rural regions. There are a range of volunteering opportunities in Cameroon focused on addressing educational inequalities in Cameroon.

In the cities, there are opportunities for TEFL tutoring, jobs in schools and private language schools. The importance of Business English and multilingualism as a means of career progression are well-established in Cameroon. With so many natural resources, including timber, petrol, crude oil, cocoa beans, coffee, cotton and metals, there is a comparatively robust economy in Cameroon, and it’s full of aspirational people who want to boost their English abilities.

Cameroonian education differs depending on whether you’re in an Anglophone or Francophone region. Primary education is free and lasts six years in both systems, and secondary education lasts seven years, but both regions have different exams and structures. From a TEFL teacher’s point of view, it’s important to note that English is taught in primary schools in the Francophone regions of Cameroon.

Requirements

So what qualifications do you need to teach English in Cameroon? What do employers like, and what’s necessary for a visa?

Before we get into TEFL certificates, degrees and experience, it’s worth noting that non-native English speakers can teach abroad in Cameroon. Visas and job offers are contingent on employers, so it’s up to individual employers whether they’ll hire a non-native English speaker. It’s much easier to find work teaching English in Cameroon as a non-native English speaker if you have a TOEFL or IELTS qualification. A degree from an English language institution also helps significantly in proving fluency.

If you’re able to speak French, this can be hugely advantageous for finding a teaching position. Some employers will ask for French proficiency as well as English language skills, especially in multilingual schools. Even English language schools will like it if you can speak a second language.

What else might you require for teaching abroad in Cameroon?

TEFL certificate

You’ll need a TEFL certificate to find paid teaching work in Cameroon. The industry standard - and what's required for teaching jobs in Cameroon - is 120 hours of training. To find meaningful teaching work in Cameroon, the TEFL certificate you’ve completed needs to have been conducted by a reputable provider that has multiple sources of accreditation.

If you’re looking to gain an advantage in the Cameroonian job market, an advanced TEFL qualification will certainly make a difference. Students in Cameroon learn English from an early age in schools across both Anglophone and Francophone regions, so a certificate in Teaching Young Learners will help.

There is also plenty of interest in Business English, due to Cameroon’s comparatively strong economy and abundant natural resources. There’s also a large student population in Cameroon, some of whom will either study or aim to study in English-speaking institutions, either at home or on the international stage. Therefore, English for Academic Purposes should help in finding tutoring work.

Degree/no-degree

Generally speaking, for paid, full-time teaching positions in Cameroon, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree. Some Cameroon teaching jobs will specifically ask for a degree in Education or English. Beyond the state school level, in private schools, international schools and universities, some roles will require a master’s degree or above.

If you want to teach English abroad without a degree in Cameroon, volunteer positions are the best way to go. This way, you can build excellent experience performing language classes, and forge important relationships in Cameroon, even without having completed a bachelor’s degree.

Experience

Previous teaching experience is valuable in Cameroon. When it comes to full-time, salaried roles, employers like teachers to have at least a year of classroom experience. That said, you can teach English abroad without experience in Cameroon in some institutions - private language schools, for example, are more concerned with qualifications.

Visa

As a teacher in Cameroon, the type of visa you’ll need is a work visa. Work visas are relatively easy to secure as long as you have an offer of employment from the company you’re going to work for. This letter must include:

All financial and legal responsibilities
Details of the contract’s duration
Approval from the Minister of Labour and Social Security in Cameroon

Once visas are sorted, it’s all about securing a residence permit. To apply for a Cameroonian residence permit, you’ll need to supply the following documents:

A completed application form
A completed medical check (including a yellow fever vaccination certificate)
A copy of your employment contract
Your visa
A consular card

Download our teaching English in Middle East & Africa guide

Salary, benefits and cost of living

Given the diversity of school quality, means and funding across Cameroon, it can be hard to gauge what a typical teaching salary really is in Cameroon. In terms of value, it’s also important to take into account that a decent-looking salary in some parts of the country won’t have as much value in other parts. The cost of living in say, the capital city Yaoundé, is very different to Lokomo or Ntam.

Salary

While salaries can vary depending on location, we can surmise that a typical English teaching salary in Cameroon - at the state school level - can range anywhere from XAF 370,000 - 830,000 ($608-$1,365/£476-£1,069) per month, depending on skills and experience.

Salaries can reach as much as $3,000-$6,000/£2,350-£4,700 in international schools and independent schools, though these kinds of wages are rare.

Benefits

Depending on the type of institution and your salary, you might be entitled to some very useful benefits while teaching English in Cameroon. Benefits like free accommodation and private healthcare are usually reserved for top-paying jobs in international schools, universities and private schools. At the state level, or at language schools, you can usually expect a decent amount of paid leave.

Cost of living

What about the cost of living in Cameroon? To get the best perspective, it’s prudent to look at where living is most expensive - Youandé, the capital of Cameroon - and see how far an English teaching salary stretches.

If you’re not able to score free accommodation, a month’s rent in a one-bedroom city centre apartment will cost about $134/£105 per month. It’s more expensive to live outside the city centre - rents rise to about $193/£152 per month for a one-bedroom apartment if you head to the city’s outer reaches.

What about bills? Utilities cost around $62/£48, while internet access for the month is usually around $44/£34, depending on your provider.

While neighbouring Nigeria and Ghana may argue about the perfect Jollof Rice, Cameroon has its own thing going in the kitchen. The food is famous, and you’ll want to try it, but how much is it to eat out? If you’re heading out for a quick, solo meal, it’ll usually cost the equivalent of $4/£3. A three-course meal for two, at a mid-priced restaurant, typically costs $33/£26 before a tip.

Country	Avg. monthly salary	Degree required	Start of term	Teaching experience	Housing & flights included	Suitable for non-native English speakers	Age restrictions
Teach in Cameroon	XAF 370,000 - 830,000 (£476 - £1,069 GBP $608 - $1,365 USD)		September		Not usually		None

Jobs

So where are all the English teaching jobs in Cameroon?

The highest number of opportunities will be found in Anglophone regions of Cameroon in the northwest and southwest, within the state school system, language schools and private tutoring. Or, you’ll find work in major cities like Yaoundé or Douala - even though they’re French-speaking, there’s still considerable demand for English teachers, due to the economic impact of multilingualism.

Where, specifically, can English teaching jobs - and students - be found in Cameroon? Let’s take a look.

Public Schools
Private Language Schools
International Schools
Private Tutoring

Public schools

Though it is possible to find English teaching jobs in Cameroon’s state sector, it is more difficult. State schools usually hire from within Cameroon, though some work can be found through volunteer programmes or, simply put, being in the right place at the right time. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certificate and - usually - at least a year of teaching experience to qualify for a public school job in Cameroon.

Whether you’re based in a Francophone or Anglophone region of Cameroon, knowledge of French can be crucial. Demonstration of French proficiency, whether it’s a school qualification or a DEFL/DALF, is extremely useful for a CV.

Private language schools

More commonly found in big cities - we mentioned Yaoundé and Douala earlier - private language schools are relatively common in Cameroon and provide a very decent grounding for newer TEFL teachers working abroad. You’ll usually need a TEFL certificate and a bachelor’s degree to find work at a private language school, but some schools are less discerning and may only require a TEFL certificate and some teaching experience.

Students at private language schools are usually extremely motivated learners and have very specific learning outcomes in mind.

International schools

There may only be about 7 international schools in Cameroon, but we’d be remiss not to mention them. Providing far and away the best teaching salaries in Cameroon, international schools offer the best facilities and amazing benefits. Class sizes are small, you'll have access to better literature and resources than other schools in Cameroon.

Like private language schools, you’ll find international schools are concentrated within Yaoundé and Douala. To qualify for a job, you’ll need at least a master’s degree, ESL certification and substantial experience.

Private tutoring

If you’re considering teaching English in Cameroon, you can’t begin your career there by giving English lessons one-to-one. This is because, like in a lot of countries, you need a job offer to get a visa and work permit. However, once you’re settled, you can add private lessons to your work schedule, and it’s a great way to supplement your income.

Your audience for private lessons will predominantly be adults. By this, we mean students looking to improve their English skills for academic pursuits (we recommend an advanced TEFL certificate in English for Academic Purposes), or career-motivated adults who want to be more proficient in Business English.

The average wage in Cameroon is equivalent to about $800/£626, so bear that in mind when you set your rates for private lessons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How to become a teacher in Cameroon?

To become a teacher in Cameroon, you’ll need to meet the requirements for a job. A visa and work permit are incumbent on an offer of employment.

Q. What country is easiest to teach English in?

There’s considerable demand for English teachers across the world, so there’s no one country where it’s “easiest” to teach. Ultimately, it depends on your preferences!

Q. Which country has the highest demand for English teachers?

In terms of sheer numbers, China probably has the highest demand for English teachers, but per capita, countries like Mexico, Taiwan and Thailand cannot be overlooked.

Q. Is English spoken in Cameroon?

Yes, about 20% of Cameroon’s population speaks English as a first language.