| Country | Avg. monthly salary | Degree required | Start of term | Teaching experience | Housing & flights included | Suitable for non-native English speakers | Age restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Teach in
Ghana
| £390 - £1,170 GBP $500 - $1,500 USD | October | None |
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Teach English in Ghana
What’s it like teaching in one of the liveliest countries in West Africa? Where can English teachers find teaching jobs in a country where English is the national language? Here’s why Ghana ought to appeal to TEFL teachers!
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One of the undoubted jewels of West Africa, the Republic of Ghana is a vibrant, historic country filled with both enchanting ancient sights and a diverse ecology. A former British colony, Ghana gained independence in 1957 and has some of the most sparkling metropolises in Africa, most specifically its capital, Accra. The noisy and historic streets of Ghana hold immense intrigue for any history and geography enthusiasts, whether they're volunteers or experienced teachers.
Though Ghana has long been independent, it did keep English as its national language, albeit with Twi, Ewe, Fantwe and Ga spoken widely across the country. Twi, in particular, is heard commonly throughout southern Ghana.
Recognised for its warm welcome, and party atmosphere, Ghana is a great place for TEFL teachers to find work, soak up some culture and become one of the country’s 32 million plus inhabitants. So where can English teachers in Africa find Ghanaian teaching jobs? How can a teacher get started if they want to teach English as a foreign language in Ghana? Let's explore.
Ghana: An overview
If you have ambitions to teach English in Africa, Ghana is a good place to start. With an English-speaking population, Ghana provides an easy transition into life teaching English abroad. The majority of paid, full-time English teaching opportunities are in the capital city, Accra, where there are also multiple international schools, though these aren’t your typical TEFL jobs! The public school system teaches English from an early age, as it’s the national language, so TEFL classroom lessons aren’t necessarily in demand in the same way as other African countries. Private tutoring and language school are also good routes into employment.
As a TEFL destination, Ghana has so much to offer. There’s surfing on the coast, particularly in Kokrobite, there’s lush rainforest, gorgeous Ghanaian cuisine (including the freshest fruit anywhere on the planet), safaris and some of Africa’s most colourful music and culture festivals.
Requirements for teaching English in Ghana
To meet the teach English abroad requirements in Ghana, you’ll usually need a bachelor’s degree to obtain a work visa and residence visa. Completion of one or more TEFL courses is also imperative for finding full-time paid TEFL work. 120 hours is the industry standard for TEFL certification, and it needs to come from a high-quality, course provider with multiple sources of accreditation. Ghana requires applicants with excellent credentials and preferably, experience teaching in schools, as the standard of English is high.
If you want to find teaching opportunities on a temporary basis and want to teach English abroad without a degree or teach English without experience, then volunteer English teaching positions in Ghana are in abundance. Volunteering organisations, like Projects Abroad and International Volunteer HQ are regularly looking for talent who yearn to teach English in Ghana.
Salary and cost of living in Ghana
Typically, TEFL teachers can expect to earn an average monthly salary of between $500 and $1,500/£390-£1,170 when they teach English in Ghana. Your teaching English abroad salary will depend on your qualifications, experience, the type of institution you’re teaching in, and how long you’ve been in Ghana.
Relative to the USA and UK, the cost of living in Ghana is extremely cheap. Per Numbeo, monthly rent in city centre Accra, for a one-bed apartment, costs around $300/£235, while a three-bedroom living space typically costs around $1,025/£800. Basic utilities cost just under the equivalent of $50/£50, and it’s inexpensive to take public transport, eat in most restaurants and use supermarkets. Put simply, the cost of living contrasts well with the type of wages you're likely to earn teaching English in Ghana.
Take a look at the tables below to get a better idea of the average living costs in Ghana:
| Restaurants | USD | GBP | EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | |||
| Domestic beer (0.5 litre) | |||
| Regular cappuccino | |||
| Water (0.33 litre) | |||
| Markets | USD | GBP | EUR |
| Regular milk (1 litre) | |||
| Loaf of white bread | |||
| Regular eggs (1 dozen) | |||
| Apples (1 kg) | |||
| Transportation | USD | GBP | EUR |
| One-way ticket (local transport) | |||
| Monthly pass (regular price) | |||
| Taxi start (normal tariff) | |||
| Gasoline (1 litre) | |||
| Utilities | USD | GBP | EUR |
| Electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage (for a regular apartment) | |||
| Regular prepaid monthly mobile tariff with 10GB+ data | |||
| Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | |||
| Clothing and shoes | USD | GBP | EUR |
| Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or something similar) | |||
| Summer dress in a chain store | |||
| Nike running shoes (mid-range) | |||
| Men's leather business shoes |
Download our teaching English in Middle East & Africa guide
English teaching jobs in Ghana
The majority of English teaching jobs in Ghana are in the big cities, particularly Accra. Equally, though English is the national language in Ghana, bigger cities will provide more opportunities for private tutoring. Demand for Business English and Academic English will be higher where there are corporations and universities.
Alternatively, volunteering in Ghana is a fantastic option. Loads of schools across the country will have ample opportunities for English teachers wanting to make a difference. Plenty of charities have roles for those hoping to start teaching English to Ghanaian people, and it’s a great way to either start a TEFL career or use your well-earned knowledge and expertise for a good cause.More on teaching English in Ghana
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I become an English teacher in Ghana?
To become a full-time employed English teacher in Ghana, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certification (of at least 120 hours) and some teaching experience. Alternatively, you’ll only need a TEFL certificate for volunteering opportunities across Ghana.
Q. How much do teachers get paid in Ghana?
Depending on the teaching role, your credentials and the institution, you can expect to earn between $500 and $1,500/£390-£1,170 per month for full-time work.
Q. Is English widely spoken in Ghana?
Ghana has a multitude of ethnic groups and, therefore, there are countless languages spoken throughout the country. Officially, English is the national language of Ghana, even in its era of independence. English is spoken in Ghana’s government, is taught as the native language in schools, and is used in the business sector.