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teach english in kenya

Teach English in Kenya

Excellent English proficiency, amazing wildlife, incredible natural beauty and fantastic, modern cities – what’s not to like about Kenya?

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Offering all the delights of East Africa, Kenya is an adventurer's wonderland, resplendent with natural beauty and the kind of wildlife that has to be seen to be believed. We’re talking lions, buffaloes, leopards, rhinos and elephants, in national parks and reserves including Masai Mara, Aboseli and Nairobi National Park.

It’s no surprise, then, that English teachers with a penchant for exploring the outdoors are looking for teaching opportunities in Kenya. With a population of about 54 million, high levels of English proficiency and plenty of large metropolitan areas where it’s easy to find teaching jobs, Kenya represents a very decent market for TEFL teachers who want to experience teaching in Africa.

English and Kiswahili are the main languages in Kenya. English is the “official language” that’s used in education, government and business, meaning there’s plenty of interest in English tuition. It does mean, however, that the job market can be extremely competitive, with a lot of English teaching talent coming from within Kenya. Kenyan schools, from public schools to international schools, language schools and private schools, all have high standards for their teachers.

So how easy is it to teach English as a foreign language in Kenya? Where are the job opportunities, where are the best places to teach, and what kind of work visa do you need? What are the requirements to teach in Kenya?

Let’s find out!

Kenya: An overview

With English being widely spoken in Kenya, it’s little surprise that the country ranks so highly on the EF English Proficiency Index. Kenya is ranked 19th of 113 countries, to be exact. Mombasa, Nairobi, Nyeri and Nakuru are particular hotspots for English language proficiency. Nairobi, the capital and by far the largest city in Kenya, has a population of close to 3 million people. It’s where the majority of jobs can be found teaching English as a foreign language, given the number of visitors the city receives. It’s not just tourism, though - Business English is very useful there, given the vast economic opportunities that exist in Kenya’s capital city.

The Kenyan school system compares well to neighbouring countries. Primary education is both free and mandatory, and this is reflected in the ever-increasing literacy rate, which was about 83% as of 2022. The school system includes 8 years of primary education, then 4 years of secondary education.

Requirements

So what do you need to teach English in Kenya? Firstly, for our non-native English speakers, can you teach abroad in Kenya? Yes, but it’s up to individual employers. If you have a degree from an English-speaking institution, or you have a TOEFL or IELTS qualification, it shouldn’t be a huge barrier. It’s worth bearing in mind, however, that a lot of Kenyan English teaching jobs are taken by teachers who come from within Kenya. Therefore, you may need to have extra qualifications and experience on your side if you are a non-native English speaker.

If you can speak Kiswahili, that’s also a significant advantage. Kiswahili has about 17 million speakers in Kenya, so it’ll help to move things along if you at least know a few phrases.

What else might you need to teach in Kenya? Let’s find out.

TEFL certificate

High-quality, accredited TEFL courses are the ticket to finding work in Kenya. The industry standard is 120 hours of training, which is what employers in Kenya will expect you to have on your CV.

Jobs in Kenya are competitive, especially since English is the official language. Therefore, having advanced TEFL certification will certainly make a difference. Kenyan kids learn English from a young age, and kindergarten teaching jobs are common, so a qualification in Teaching Young Learners will help you stand out when you teach in Kenya.

You’ll also find interest in Business English classes, as well as English for Academic Purposes. This is because there are plenty of Kenyans looking to advance their careers, either through bolstering their communication skills at work or improving their academic English, possibly even attending university abroad.

Degree/no-degree

While a work visa isn’t incumbent on holding a degree, most full-time teaching jobs in Kenya will ask for one. In some cases, Kenyan teaching jobs will specifically ask for a degree in Education or English, though this is less common. At private schools, international schools and universities, English teachers will usually require a master’s degree or above.

If you’re looking to teach English abroad without a degree in Kenya, volunteer positions are worth investigating. There are plenty of reputable organisations that will provide classroom experience and training to TEFL teachers who don’t have a degree but want to work in teaching.

Experience

Much like degrees, employers will commonly ask for prior teaching experience on a CV when you teach in Kenya. Typically, employers prefer candidates to have at least a year of relevant classroom experience. That said, you can teach English abroad without experience in Kenya, typically at private language schools, or in voluntary positions where building experience is the most important factor. Completion of accredited TEFL courses should be enough to teach English abroad in Kenya as a volunteer, in these cases.

Visa

Kenya has moved towards being a “visa-free” country, with tourists not having to apply for a visa, but instead paying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation. While the ambitious plan to get rid of visas has had some teething issues, it will eventually be easier to enter Kenya and explore job opportunities, which is great news for those who want to start teaching abroad in East Africa.

In terms of permanent residence in Kenya, however, there’s a straightforward process to follow. For a Class D Employment Permit, you’ll need to fill out Forms 25 and 27, and provide a range of documents, including:

Signed cover letter from the employer, addressed to the Director General of Immigration Services
Passport (copy)
Two passport-sized photographs (in colour)
Immigration status
Tax Compliance Certificate for new employees, plus individual Tax Compliance Certificates for renewals (from employer)
Certified copies of academic and professional certificates (including accredited TEFL courses and degree certificates)
CV/Resumé
Duly filed and signed application form 27
Certificate of registration from employer
Clearance letter from relevant institutions

The processing fee is about 10,000 Kenyan Shillings ($76/£60).

Download our teaching English in Middle East & Africa guide

Salary, benefits and cost of living

So what’s the average monthly salary for someone teaching English in Kenya? What’s the average monthly cost of living in a city like Nairobi, and are there any benefits thrown into the typical teaching contract?

Let’s take a look at salary, benefits and cost of living while teaching English in Kenya.

Salary

Teaching salaries in Kenya can be extremely variable and depend very much on the type of institution you’re teaching at, your level of qualifications and experience, and where you’re based. An average monthly salary is hard to pin down, then, given the range of wages on offer.

From our research, we’ve seen salaries for teaching English in Kenya range from around KES 56,390 - 325,500, which is equivalent to $430 - $2,500/£334 - £1,940 per month. The best teaching salaries are found in private schools and international schools.

Benefits

When you teach English in Kenya, in higher-salaried roles, you might find employers will pay for medical insurance. While Kenya does have free healthcare, the medical system also includes private healthcare, which has become increasingly popular with higher earners.

Public holidays, accommodation and even a stipend for accommodation are included in some teaching contracts, though these kinds of benefits are usually reserved for English teachers working in higher-salaried TEFL jobs.

Cost of living

So, how much does it cost to live and teach English in Kenya? Specifically, how much does it cost to live in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, where the majority of English teaching jobs are located?

Let’s start with accommodation. A one-bedroom apartment in central Nairobi costs about $430/£335 per month to rent, but this goes down to $176/£137 if you live outside the city centre. As for monthly utilities, expect to pay about $29/£22 for basics and $42/£33 for internet access.

One of the best parts of teaching abroad is experiencing the culinary delights of other countries, so how about dining out in Nairobi? Kenyan food is typically hearty and satisfying, but it’s also good value. A meal for one in an inexpensive restaurant is about $4/£3, while a three-course meal for two in a mid-priced restaurant comes to around $31/£24.

Types of English teaching jobs in Kenya

So you want to teach English abroad in Kenya, but you’re wondering where the jobs are? No problem - let’s take a look at where the best routes of employment are in this fascinating East African nation.

Public Schools
Private Language Schools
International Schools
Universities
Private Tutoring

Public schools

Public schools in Kenya typically hire locally, but there are still jobs available if you look hard enough. Major cities like Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu will have the majority of public school jobs, and you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification and some teaching experience to be considered. Expect large class sizes!

The majority of volunteer opportunities in Kenya are through public schools, so if you’re looking to build experience in Kenya, this is the main place to do it.

Private language schools

Private language schools in Kenya are relatively popular, primarily serving adults and young learners from other countries where English isn’t the primary language. As you might expect, private language schools are most prevalent in Nairobi. These are the best places for newer teachers to find work, as you’ll generally only need a TEFL certificate to gain employment, and you can teach English without a degree in some cases.

International schools

Kenya has a surprisingly large number of international schools, with origins stemming from Germany, Sweden and beyond. The majority are British or English-speaking schools, and though they aren’t looking for TEFL teachers in the traditional sense, they do employ English teachers with extremely high levels of qualifications and experience.

The best salaries are on offer at international schools, but you’ll need at least a master’s in most cases, as well as several years of teaching experience. Completion of TEFL certificates is also extremely useful. Jobs at international schools are extremely competitive.

Universities

Though there are fewer jobs for TEFL teachers at universities in Kenya, they’re still worth mentioning. If you hold a master’s degree or PhD, specifically in English, there are lecturing positions, or research positions you can combine with TEFL tutoring. These opportunities are limited, but worth exploring if you have an academic background.

Private tutoring

Given that English is the official language of Kenya, you’ll probably need to hone in on particular audiences if you’re looking to do some private tutoring. For example, Business English is extremely useful for Kenyans who are looking to sharpen their vocabulary for work purposes. English for Academic Purposes, as the name suggests, is great for students who want to improve their essay-writing skills.

It’s also worth considering expat communities in Kenya who don’t speak English as a first language. The best places to look for these kinds of tutoring opportunities are in border towns and cities like Busia and Lokichogio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much is an English teacher paid in Kenya?

English teachers can get paid anywhere between KES 56,390 - 325,500 ($430 - $2,500/£334 - £1,940) per month, depending on experience and qualifications.

Q. What do you need to become an English teacher in Kenya?

To become an English teacher in Kenya, you’ll need a job offer. Most employers look for a TEFL certificate, a bachelor’s degree and some teaching experience.

Q. How do I become an English teacher in Kenya?

To teach English abroad in Kenya, you’ll need to meet the requirements of a job - usually a TEFL certification, a bachelor's degree and some experience - to receive an offer of employment. That way, you’ll be able to gain a work permit. Or, you can find volunteer opportunities.

Q. Can you teach English in Kenya without a degree?

Yes, you can teach English in Kenya without a degree. Some employers won’t ask for a degree, preferring TEFL certification and experience, while there are also excellent volunteer opportunities around Kenya for new teachers.