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teach english in ethiopia

Teach English in Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s amazing to visit if you’re a fan of nature and exotic animals, but the TEFL landscape is better than you think, and English is especially important to learn.

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If you’re a TEFL teacher with a love of the outdoors, a lifelong commitment to coffee or fancy a challenge, Ethiopia is a fantastic place to teach English. Ethiopia is linguistically fascinating, home of the coffee bean, and a true one-off as a country. Nestled in the eastern horn of Africa, Ethiopia is a historically and linguistically intriguing nation. There are numerous Ethiopian and continental languages spoken including Oromo, Somali and Tigrinya.

You might not think there’s much need for foreign languages, especially a European language like English, then. Not quite. The English language is important in Ethiopia. It’s the most-used foreign language in the country. It’s also the language primarily used in secondary schools and all further education, meaning there are jobs at colleges and universities. Laws - including Ethiopia’s constitution, which came into effect in 1995 - are also published in British English. This is especially interesting given that Ethiopia is the only African country that wasn't colonised in recent history.

So what does this mean for TEFL teachers? Are teaching opportunities vast, what kind of salaries are on offer, and what does a teacher need to get involved? Let’s take a look at teaching English in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia: An overview

If you’re into animals, incredible views and nature, Ethiopia has everything you could want. Home to the Simien Mountains, the unbelievable Blue Nile, the Omo River, mountains, volcanic regions, hot and dry landscapes like the Danakil Depression and countless varieties of exotic animals, including Swayne’s hartebeest, the Bale Mountains vervet, hippos, birds, crocodiles and so much more.

Ethiopia does, of course, also have modern cities and metropolitan areas. Addis Ababa, with nearly 3.5m inhabitants, is far and away the most populous city in Ethiopia, but Adamar, Gondar and Dire Dawa also have significant populations. So, while it’s easy to get excited about the wilds of Ethiopia, there are opportunities to suit any TEFL teacher.

It’s in these populous areas where most TEFL jobs are, but teaching opportunities can be found across the country. As stated, English is the primary language of Ethiopian education, and it’s not necessarily the “native” language, so qualified English teachers are valued immensely. What’s more, there are major job opportunities in the cities, specifically at universities and colleges, tutoring corporate clients, and doing one-to-one tutoring. Private language schools or learning centres are also plentiful and require talented English teachers.

Requirements for teaching English in Ethiopia

So, what does a teacher need to meet the teach English abroad requirements for Ethiopia? Let’s explore.

A degree, even for volunteering roles, is usually required. To obtain a work visa, degrees are very important, and many schools, language centres, universities, colleges and other employers will look for a bachelor’s degree. If you’re looking to teach English in Africa more widely, and want to teach English abroad without a degree, don’t despair, as there are loads of options around the continent.

A TEFL certificate is an absolute must. Completion of one or more TEFL courses is crucial, and we say “one or more” because there are specific learning areas where advanced TEFL certificates can come in very handy. Candidates with TEFL certificates in English for Academic Purposes and Business English will typically find more opportunities. 120 hours of TEFL certification is the industry standard.

Want to teach English as a non-native speaker, and Ethiopia appeals? As long as you have fluency, demonstrated by a degree, or a proficiency test like IELTS or TOEFL, and you have TEFL certification, you should be eligible for job opportunities.

Is it possible to find teaching jobs abroad without experience, and does Ethiopia have these teaching opportunities? Well, yes. We won’t lie; teaching experience is preferred. However, a suite of qualifications and an impressive interview performance ought to be enough to land your first teaching position in Ethiopia.

Salary and cost of living in Ethiopia

Salary

Salaries in Ethiopia can range significantly. As you’d expect - and as is common everywhere else - where you are matters. Cities like Addis Ababa are typically going to yield higher salaries than in rural outposts, and the type of school (state vs private school or international school) is also a factor.

Salaries for English teachers in Ethiopia can be as low as $250/£200, but usually, an average monthly salary will fall between $500-$700/£400-£560 per month.

Benefits

Some schools and organizations may offer additional benefits such as housing and flights, although this is not universally guaranteed. It's crucial to confirm these details with your potential employer!

Cost of living

The cost of living is very affordable. A one-bedroom apartment in a city centre is typically around $549/£440, which is reduced to $275/£220 if you opt to live outside the main hub of a city like Addis Ababa. Basic utilities (electricity, water, etc.) for a normal-sized dwelling are usually about $173/£139 per month. If you’re heading out for dinner, a three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant is usually about $24.50/£19.64.

Country	Avg. monthly salary	Degree required	Start of term	Teaching experience	Housing & flights included	Suitable for non-native English speakers	Age restrictions
Teach in Ethiopia	£400 - £560 GBP ($500 - $700 USD)		September		Not usually		None

Download our teaching English in Middle East & Africa guide

English teaching jobs in Ethiopia

There are plenty of English teaching jobs in Ethiopia. While volunteer positions are more common in rural areas, you’ll still find plenty of state schools, private schools, international schools and private language centres hiring across the country.

Certainly, the majority of paid positions are in cities like Addis Ababa, where there is a more recognised English language teaching infrastructure and a high population. As stated, English is the language of secondary and higher education, so universities and colleges represent good opportunities for employment, and the local school system will have plenty of opportunities.

The school term is typically from September to May/June, so the peak hiring season is the summer. This is also true of universities and colleges, though there are master’s students who will be completing courses at different times of the year. Language centres and adult learning facilities hire year-round.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the average salary for an English teacher in Ethiopia?

Salaries for full-time TEFL teachers in Ethiopia can be as low as $250/£200, but usually, teaching salaries are between $500-$700/£400-£560 per month. This contrasts well with the low cost of living.

Q. Do they teach English in Ethiopia?

Yes, English is widely taught in Ethiopia. It is the primary language of the higher and further education systems and is used in both parliamentary and court proceedings. While other languages, including local languages like Oromo, Somali and Tigrinya are widely spoken, English has an integral role.

Q. What country is easiest to teach English in?

Depending on your criteria, there’s no one country where it’s “easiest” to teach English. In terms of finding jobs, China is likely the most fruitful location. However, you might argue it’s “easiest” to teach where the infrastructure is best or where there are more opportunities for career development.