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teach english in madagascar

Teach English in Madagascar

Though opportunities in Madagascar can be limited, the incredible ecology and the gorgeous landscapes mean it’s well worth seeing what’s available.

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An island nation, just off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is a truly fascinating location to teach English as a foreign language. The fourth biggest island in the world, Madagascar is perhaps best known for its nature and ecology - with a reputation no doubt boosted by Hollywood! - featuring staggering wildlife across its immense, nearly 600,000 square kilometres of land.

Madagascar is the 20th most populous African country, whose 29.6 million citizens live in a country with both lush rainforests and desert regions. There are also a decent number of medium-sized cities, including Toamasina, Antsirabe and Mahajanga, as well as the capital Antananarivo. For English teachers, it’s in Antananarivo where the vast majority of teaching jobs can be found.

Teaching jobs, admittedly, are far from widespread in Madagascar. The country is French-speaking, and English isn’t a particularly common language. Malagasy and French are the most regularly used languages. English was an “official” language in Madagascar until it was voted out in a 2010 referendum - it was largely voted out because only a small minority of Madagascans spoke it. English used to be compulsory in primary schools, but this no longer remains the case.

Nonetheless, there are opportunities if you know where to look. International schools and private language academies still offer English tuition, while private tutoring is also an option. So, let’s talk about what it's like to teach in Madagascar. Is it possible to live in Madagascar and teach English? Is it just for volunteers? Let’s take a more detailed look.

Madagascar: an overview

Again, there used to be a minority of Madagascans who spoke English. However, during a wave of political instability, a 2010 referendum ended the status of English as an official language. Though it’s an incredibly useful language for trading, especially given Madagascar’s importance as an island in the Indian Ocean, it isn’t widely spoken there. In fact, EF’s English Proficiency Index ranks Madagascar at a pretty poor 78th of 113 countries, lower than countries including Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania.

So, is there a demand for quality education in English across Madagascar? It’s hard to say. Certainly, there is some demand for English - some international schools are teaching in English, and private language schools are teaching English courses. Volunteering in Madagascar is also relatively popular, especially for newer English teachers who want to gain experience in exchange for accommodation and the chance to see the natural splendour of Madagascar first-hand.

It’s also worth mentioning that some primary schools teach English, but it’s no longer compulsory - as it was before the 2010 referendum. Primary schools introduced compulsory English lessons around 2003, so there is a generation of Madagascans who have relatively decent English proficiency.

Requirements

So, you want to teach English in Madagascar. What requirements do you need to meet to teach English abroad in this fascinating island nation?

It’s very possible for non-native English speakers to teach English abroad in Madagascar. In fact, of the limited job opportunities there are in Madagascar, you’ll likely be competing against Malagasy or French-speaking teachers. That said, having qualifications on your side definitely helps - an IELTS or TOEFL certificate will demonstrate English fluency, as does a degree from an English-speaking country.

For volunteer positions, a TEFL certificate is broadly preferred.

TEFL certificate

If you’re keen on becoming an English teacher in Madagascar, you need a TEFL certificate. 120 hours of TEFL study is the industry standard and what you’ll need for full-time teaching positions, or working with other volunteers. It can’t just be from anywhere, either - your TEFL certification must be from a reputable course provider, recognised by multiple accreditation bodies.

Degree/no-degree

Usually, TEFL employers in Madagascar will ask for a degree. International schools, in particular, will ask for a degree in education or English. If you want to teach English abroad without a degree in Madagascar, however, volunteering is a great way to do it. There are some excellent opportunities to work on a voluntary basis in Madagascar teaching English.

Experience

If you have prior experience, that’s valued in Madagascar. Again, it largely depends on the job, but international schools will usually look for at least two or three years of experience. However, if you want to teach English abroad without experience, volunteering is the way to go.

Visa

To get yourself a work visa to teach English in Madagascar, you’ll need to provide the following:

A valid passport with two blank pages
A signed and completed Madagascan visa application form
A passport-sized photograph, in colour and from within the last three months
Proof of accommodation
An invitation letter from a host in Madagascar (an employer is best!)
Flight itinerary
Health insurance policy (usually provided by employer)
Yellow fever card

Work visas in Madagascar are valid for up to five years.

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Salary, benefits and cost of living

What’s the average monthly salary when you’re teaching English in Madagascar, and what’s the cost of living like in the capital city, Antananarivo? Let’s take a closer look.

Salary

In Madagascar, the average English teaching salary is around 600,000 - 1,700,000 MGA (£100-£284/$130-$372) per month in a full-time position. Highly qualified teachers can earn higher wages in the limited number of international schools, which are primarily located in Antananarivo.

Benefits

All schools in Madagascar should provide some form of health insurance. International schools may be able to help English teachers with accommodation and some career development training, while volunteers should expect some training, accommodation and plenty of leave to explore Madagascar.

Cost of living

What’s the cost of living like in Madagascar’s capital city, Antananarivo? The best place to start is by looking at rent. Living in the centre of the city, in a one-bedroom apartment, is likely to cost about £314/$412, but these costs come way down if you’re willing to live a little outside the city centre. A month’s rent can cost as little as £55/$72 if you’re fine with commuting and you want to live in a one-bedroom apartment.

What about your monthly bills? Utilities cost about £32/$42, while internet access costs around £40/$52 - not bad, especially if you’re able to supplement your income by teaching English online.

Malagasy food is well worth trying, but how much does it cost? If you’re eating solo in an inexpensive restaurant, expect to pay about £2/$3, whereas a three-course meal for two in a mid-priced restaurant costs about £13/$17.

Types of English teaching jobs in Madagascar

Where can you find work as an English teacher in Madagascar? While options are relatively limited, there are some jobs available in this vast island nation. Let’s take a closer look.

Public Schools
Private Language Schools
International Schools
Private Tutoring
Volunteer

Public schools

En masse, public schools aren’t teaching English as readily as they did before 2010. A limited number of primary and secondary schools teach English, largely as an optional subject, meaning that when there are jobs available, they’re extremely competitive openings. If you have a degree, TEFL certification and some teaching experience, you will have a shot at teaching in a Malagasy state school full-time. Generally speaking, though, the best opportunities to take part in Madagascar’s state education system as an English teacher are at the voluntary level.

Private language schools

Language schools and businesses exist in Madagascar, and though they’re not necessarily widespread, they do sometimes have jobs. Facebook has the best information here, as these schools in Madagascar tend to advertise their courses on the social media platform, as well as job openings. You’ll need a TEFL certificate and, ideally, some teaching experience on your CV to qualify for a job teaching in a Malagasy English language school.

International schools

There are only a small number of international schools in Madagascar, but they’re certainly worth keeping in mind as an English teacher. If you have at least a bachelor’s degree in education, a TEFL certificate and plenty of experience, you can apply for jobs which typically have excellent salaries and benefits.

Private tutoring

Private tutoring is a great way to supplement your income if you’re working as an English teacher in Madagascar. Though the demand for English teachers isn’t as high as it once was, plenty of Malagasy citizens want English skills for career advancement, or to move to English-speaking countries, particularly for academic reasons. Therefore, having specialist TEFL skills and advanced TEFL certificates can help here, like Business English and English for Academic Purposes.

Volunteer

Becoming a volunteer is a fantastic way to teach your first English classes, gain teaching experience and explore an incredible part of the world. There are plenty of opportunities for volunteers in Madagascar through organisations like GVI and Volunteer World, which place budding English language instructors in schools and community spaces. Normally, volunteers work between 10 and 20 hours per week, leaving plenty of time to explore the beautiful terrain of Madagascar, seeing the gorgeous coastlines and the incredible wildlife!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much do English teachers make in Madagascar?

How much do English teachers make in Madagascar?

The typical English teacher's salary in Madagascar is around 600,000 - 1,700,000 MGA (£100-£284/$130-$372) per month in a full-time job.

Q. Is English widely spoken in Madagascar?

No, English is not particularly widely spoken in Madagascar.

Q. Can I teach English in Madagascar?

Yes, you can teach English in Madagascar. However, opportunities can be quite limited, due to the lack of demand for English classes. International schools and working alongside volunteers are usually your best bet - there are lots of great options for volunteers who are keen on experiencing Madagascar!

Q. How many countries accept TEFL?

How many countries accept TEFL?

A TEFL certificate is accepted worldwide! The industry standard for TEFL training is 120 hours of study.