French and Malagasy are official languages in Madagascar, and English was an official language until a referendum in 2010. Since then, the English proficiency levels have declined, so how has English becoming a foreign language affected the job market?

Read on for The TEFL Org’s guide to teaching English in Madagascar, from volunteer and paid jobs, requirements, visa process, and more.

Key Takeaways

• French and Malagasy are the official languages in Madagascar.
• English language education isn’t compulsory in Madagascar, so English speakers aren’t that common.
• Requirements include a TEFL certification (at least 120 hours), a university degree (preferred), and prior teaching experience is required at some schools.
• The average salary ranges from Ar.650,000–3.5 million ($150–$800 / £110–£600).
• Volunteer teacher positions are common, while teaching jobs are more difficult to find but exist in private schools.
• Teachers need to find a job before applying for the visa; volunteers usually enter on a tourist visa.
• Top locations for employment opportunities include the capital city, Tana (officially known as Antananarivo).

Requirements for Teaching English in Madagascar

English used to be compulsory in primary schools until 2010, but it’s now taught as a foreign language in some schools. As you’d expect, this led to a decline in English proficiency.

Today, paid teaching opportunities are rare, and most come in the form of volunteer roles. But you can still find paid jobs in private language schools or international schools depending on your qualifications and experience level.

Here’s everything you need to know about the teaching requirements in Madagascar, whether you’re set on volunteering or finding a salaried job.

Do I need a TEFL certificate to teach English in Madagascar?

Whether you need a TEFL certificate depends on your ambition as a teacher in Madagascar. If you want to earn a salary while teaching English in Madagascar, you’ll need at least a 120-hour TEFL certificate from an accredited provider (like The TEFL Org!).

But if you’re just looking for short-term volunteer opportunities, some programmes accept applicants without a TEFL certificate.

Can I teach English without a degree in Madagascar?

Most schools require a degree for English teachers, but it’s not impossible. It’s technically not a legal requirement for the work visa, so you might find employers at private language schools that accept non-degree holders — as long as you have a TEFL certificate.

Other accredited institutions like international schools almost always require a university degree — a master’s in English or education in some cases. But if you want to teach English abroad without a degree in Madagascar, volunteering is the easiest way to do it.

Do I need teaching experience to teach in Madagascar?

Teachers with classroom experience under their belt will have more bargaining power when it comes to choosing job roles and salaries, but it’s not always essential, especially for volunteer or low salary roles.

International schools require at least 3 years of previous teaching experience, but you can teach English without experience in Madagascar at a private language school.

Can I teach in Madagascar as a non-native speaker?

Not being a native English speaker won’t hold you back from teaching in Madagascar, as long as you’ve got a TEFL certificate and proof of proficiency with an IELTS, CEFR, or TOEFL certificate (or a degree from an English-speaking country).

If you’re lacking experience and are struggling to find a job teaching English as a non-native speaker, consider volunteering to gain classroom experience.

Visa requirements for teaching English in Madagascar

The visa you need depends on the route you’re taking into teaching in Madagascar; whether you’re employed by a school or arriving as a volunteer on a programme.

If you’re employed by a school, you’ll need a long-stay employment visa (visa de long séjour) and a local work permit. Your employer will sponsor your application and help you get a work permit from the Ministry of Labour, but you’ll also need to submit the following documents to an embassy of Madagascar:

• Valid passport with two blank pages
• Signed and completed Madagascan visa application form
• Invitation letter from an employer in Madagascar
• A passport-sized photograph, in colour and from within the last three months
• Proof of accommodation
• Criminal background check
• Flight itinerary
• Health insurance policy (usually provided by employer)
• Yellow fever certificate (if arriving or transiting from high-risk area)

It’s possible to find work “boots on the ground” style. This means entering on a tourist visa, directly applying to schools, and completing a “visa run” (leaving and re-entering the country) when your work visa is processed.

If you’re volunteering, you can enter on a tourist visa (valid up to 90 days), but you’ll need to apply for a long-stay immigrant visa if you’re planning on staying for longer than 90 days.

Salary and Cost of Living

Teaching English in Madagascar isn’t the first place you imagine when you think of “high salary TEFL locations”. But while it isn’t a lucrative opportunity, you can still live comfortably on a low salary.

How much can you earn teaching English in Madagascar?

Not including volunteer roles, the average monthly salary for English teachers in Madagascar ranges from Ar.650,000–3.5 million ($150–$800 / £110–£600) per month. But don’t let the TEFL salary in Madagascar dissuade you before comparing it to the cost of living.

How much does it cost to live in Madagascar?

Madagascar is an African country, so you might expect the cost of living to be lower than in North America or Western Europe. While that’s true, you also need to consider the fact that it’s an island that relies on imports.

Here’s how you can get more bang for your Malagasy ariary as an English teacher:

• Look beyond salary: Some jobs might offer benefits like free accommodation, so don’t just focus on the salary in a job contract.
• Live outside the city centre: Teachers don’t need to rush around ticking off tourist attractions, and living outside the city centre can save you up to 50% on monthly rent.
• Find accommodation near your school: Choosing convenience over luxury will save you plenty of money in the long run. This cuts down on public transport or taxi costs, and learning to live in a modest style accommodation means you can enjoy more when you’re out.
• Eat like a local: Malagasy food is delicious and also easy on your wallet. Instead of eating at western restaurants, head to a local eatery — called hotelys — where local dishes like romazava, ravitoto, or hen’omby ritra cost around Ar. 5,000–10,000 ($1–$2 / £0.85–£1.70).
• Split the rent: Splitting the rent with other teachers, expats, or locals can save you around ~Ar. 400,000 ($90 / £70) per month.
• Private tutoring: Technically not a budgeting tip, but a saving tip — private tutoring (or teaching English online) in your free time helps cover expenses like food or transport.

English Teaching Jobs in Madagascar

Most public school jobs are reserved for local teachers, so most English teaching jobs in Madagascar come through private schools, like language schools or international schools. There are also opportunities for private tutoring, but you’ll need to be on a work visa already and it might be against your school’s policy.

Unlike other East African countries, the Ministry of Education in Madagascar mirrors Europe when it comes to the school year calendar, starting in September/October and usually ending in June. So bear this in mind if you’re applying to public school or international school roles.

You can take the most direct route of heading to Madagascar on a tourist visa and applying for jobs at schools in-person (and then completing a visa run), or you can use job boards like The TEFL Org Jobs Centre, for example.

Public schools

Generally speaking, most opportunities to teach in Madagascar’s state education system as an English teacher are at the voluntary level. Most public school students usually learn English as a third language, and levels are generally low in the classroom. Class sizes are large and lesson facilities are often modest.

What to expect at public schools in Madagascar:

• Mostly volunteer roles (for foreign teachers)
• Large group sizes
• Modest classroom facilities

Private language schools

Private language schools are where students learn the bulk of their English skills. Students who want to learn English often join language schools to improve language skills for future job prospects, from general English to Business English, English for Academic Purposes and Exam Preparation. So you’ll find a mix of students learning general English and ESP (English for Specific Purposes) subjects.

What to expect at private language schools in Madagascar:

• Teaching in evenings and on weekends
• Small class sizes, mainly adult learners
• Emphasis on ESP subjects
• Wide variety in student ages

International schools

There are only a small number of international schools in Madagascar, but they offer some of the highest quality education, salaries and benefits. At these schools, you’ll teach international students learning English as a main language from a British, American, or other international curriculum.

With high tuition fees, student standards are much higher at these schools, and so are the requirements and expectations of teachers. Popular examples include the British School of Madagascar and the American School of Antananarivo.

What to expect at international schools in Madagascar:

• Teaching international students
• Following a British, American, or IB curriculum
• Teaching English as a main language
• Excellent salary and benefits, but high requirements and expectations

Volunteer programmes

Volunteer teaching programmes in Madagascar are popular for new English teachers looking to gain teaching experience and cultural exchange opportunities. Many volunteers work between 10–20 hours per week, and some placements might include English teaching but focus on other areas of local community development.

Popular programmes include IVHQ, Volunteer World, and MRCI, with opportunities in local schools, community classes, and even organisations like the oceanographic research institute. If you’re not into “volunteer travel” or “voluntourism”, US teachers can volunteer as a teacher with the Peace Corps for two years, receiving housing, a monthly allowance, and a $6,000–$10,000 readjustment allowance when returning to the US.

What to expect as a volunteer in Madagascar:

• Short-term opportunities, part-time hours
• Unpaid, but benefits include volunteer accommodation, meals, and local team support
• Usually requires a programme fee
• Flexible entry requirements, year-round start dates

Teaching English in Major Cities

With 33+ million citizens, lush rainforests and plenty of cities, there’s plenty of choice for English teachers in Madagascar. But of Toamasina, Antsirabe, Mahajanga and more, the capital city — Antananarivo (or Tana) — is where you’ll find the best combination of opportunities and lifestyle options.

Teach English in Antananarivo (Tana)

For English teachers, it’s in Antananarivo where the vast majority of teaching jobs can be found. Surprisingly, the tourism sector is small, but as the capital city of a major trading hub in the Indian Ocean there’s a higher demand for English classes, especially in Business English.

There are also a number of British and American international schools in the capital like the British School of Madagascar and the American School of Antananarivo.

When you’re not teaching English, there’s a varied island life to enjoy. Soak up history at the Queen’s Palace and the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, or head to Lemurs’ Park to witness some of Madagascar’s indigenous species. If you want to up the tempo, head to Analakely Market to barter for souvenirs and other goods. If you have more time, explore Madagascar’s northwest coast for lush rainforests and wildlife in remote locations like Nosy Be!

Ready to Teach English Abroad? Don’t Forget Your TEFL Certificate

Before you head off to Madagascar teaching English, you’ll need to get your TEFL qualification. Teaching English abroad isn’t just a fantastic opportunity for teachers but also the students, and employers need to know that whoever they’re hiring has the teaching skills to lead a lesson.

From classroom management skills and lesson planning to teaching complex grammar structures, studying for a TEFL certification helps you become a more skilled and confident teacher.

Get started today with our 120-hour TEFL course for a lifetime of diverse teaching opportunities!