| Country | Avg. monthly salary | Degree required | Start of term | Teaching experience | Housing & flights included | Suitable for non-native English speakers | Age restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teach in Malawi | 2,591,070 - MWK 3,454,755 £1,165 - £1,550 GBP $1,500 - $2,000 USD | August/September | Preferred | Sometimes | At least 21 years old to 60 years old |
Teach English in Malawi
It’s beautiful, it’s famously friendly and it has English as an official language – but can TEFL teachers actually live and work in Malawi?
Most accredited
TEFL course provider
TEFL course provider
Internationally recognised
TEFL certificate
TEFL certificate
Over 185,000
teachers trained
teachers trained
80% of graduates
find work within 2 months
find work within 2 months
Known as the "Warm Heart of Africa," Malawi is a landlocked country bordered by Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. It is famous for its welcoming population, the stunning Lake Malawi, and tobacco and coffee production. Although Malawi is popular with tourists, given the wildlife and views, it is not widely considered as a viable destination for TEFL teaching.
Even though English is Malawi's official language and is used in politics, business, and education, it isn’t widely spoken. English proficiency in Malawai is minimal despite its considerable exports and its history of British rule. Given the importance of English in global business, Malawian authorities are keen to change this situation, so there’s significant demand for TEFL teachers in schools and for volunteering roles.
Malawi is an untapped and under-resourced TEFL location, but it represents an exciting opportunity for TEFL teachers who want to contribute significantly. In this guide, we’ll explore why teaching English in Malawi is a great opportunity, why Malawi needs TEFL teachers, and what to expect as a teacher in this African country.
Quick facts about Malawi
- Country Name: Malawi
- Capital: Lilongwe
- Official Language: English
- Population: 3.1 million (Worldometer)
- Currency: Malawian Kwacha (MWK)
Why Teach English in Malawi?
Malawi’s stunning beauty is a significant draw for teachers who love nature. Nature-based and cultural heritage tourism brought nearly a million visitors to Malawi every year pre-pandemic, and the number is expected to increase. However, for a country of around 22 million people, that level of tourism isn’t as prominent as the Malawian government would hope.
It’s little wonder that Malawi attracts at least some tourism, however. The waters of Lake Malawi, the wildlife reserves and the stunning views could inspire any visitor to think about staying long-term, whether they’re an English teacher or not. Malawians also contribute to this: the hospitality of Malawian people is famous. It isn’t called the “Warm Heart of Africa” for no reason.
So, ESL teachers know it’s a beautiful place with nice people. Are there teaching opportunities? Yes, there are. English is the official language of Malwai, but the level of national proficiency isn’t high. Chewa is the most commonly spoken language in Malawi, with about 70% of the population speaking it regularly. For the majority, English is a second language, but not an overwhelmingly popular one.
However, English proficiency leads to more educational and occupational opportunities. In Blantyre, Malawi’s business centre, English is spoken more widely. What’s more, English is taught in schools, and programmes aim to raise proficiency levels nationwide. State schools and volunteering roles provide the vast majority of teaching opportunities.
Basic requirements and qualifications
What do you need to teach English abroad in Malawi, one of Africa’s most welcoming and beautiful countries? Let’s take a look.
TEFL certification
Completing a reputable, highly accredited TEFL certificate with at least 120 hours of training is essential to teach in Malawi. With 120 hours of teaching from experienced tutors, you’ll be equipped to meet the needs of English learners in Malawi.
If you’re interested in carving a niche for yourself and creating more opportunities to teach English, we’d recommend Advanced TEFL certification in Business English or Teaching Young Learners. Most of the learners you encounter will either be adults looking for career advancement or children in government schools.
Education requirements
Most schools in Malawi will seek candidates with a bachelor’s degree, preferably in education or English. Volunteering opportunities, however, may not require a degree. Prospective teachers studying for an undergraduate degree may wish to explore these kinds of roles as they provide an excellent foundation for a career in TEFL.
Visa and work permit requirements
To gain a Malawian work visa to start teaching in the country, you’ll need:
- 2x passport photos
- A cover letter describing why you’ve chosen to work in Malawi
- A travel itinerary and plane tickets
- Evidence of accommodation
- Bank statements from the last three months
- Proof of yellow fever vaccine (if you’re arriving from a country where yellow fever is a risk)
Once you have a visa, it's time to get a Temporary Employment Permit (TEP). Usually, employers handle this, but they will require you to provide documents including:
- Your employment contract
- Scans of your passport
- An up-to-date CV
- Completed job application
- Advertisement for the job vacancy
- Copies of academic qualifications (including TEFL certification)
Language proficiency
Non-native English speakers who want to teach in Malawi must provide evidence of their fluency. Usually, an IELTS or a TOEFL will be required, though a degree certificate from an English-language institution will suffice.
As for languages in Malawi, learning local languages in advance can be difficult, given the lack of popular learning materials. Once you’re in Malawi, expressing interest in learning the most local language will endear you to employers and help you find other employment opportunities in the wider area.Download our teaching English in Africa & the Middle East guide
Salary and cost of living
What can TEFL teachers expect to earn while teaching in Malawi? More to the point, can you live comfortably while earning a teaching salary in the “Warm Heart of Africa”?
Salary
Malawian teaching salaries have extremes at both ends of the spectrum. The lowest-paid jobs are incompatible with the cost of living to the extent that there have been disputes between teachers and the government. On the other end of the scale, international schools can pay around MWK 3,400,000 per month, equivalent to about £1,546 / $2,000 per month. The disparity between salaries at the highest and lowest ends means giving an accurate average salary is difficult.
The median salary in Malawi for a teacher with TEFL certification, an undergraduate degree, and some teaching experience usually ranges between MWK 1,570,000 and 3,000,000 per month (£700 - £1,338 / $905 - $1,730).
However, some salary aggregators report that teaching wages can be as low as the equivalent of £92 / $124 per month. Simply put, Malawi's economic crisis has distorted salary and cost-of-living data.
Malawi's international schools offer the best salaries. Government schools, on the other hand, offer wages that are difficult to live on. If you plan on teaching abroad in Malawi, the best-paid teaching jobs are in local primary or secondary schools financed independently.
Cost of living
With incredible levels of inflation currently affecting Malawi's economy, it can be difficult to gauge the cost of everyday items.
The lowest rent we found for a one bedroom in Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital city, is about MWK 434,000 per month (£193 / $250). If you venture outside the city centre, Numbeo reports that rents can be as low as the equivalent of £52 / $67 per month.
Utilities in Malawi cost around £35 / $45, while travel is extremely cheap. You can travel cross-country by bus for under $25 / $19.33 and eat three courses at a mid-priced restaurant for about £25 / $32.
The most popular internet packages start at £22.50 / $28.55, meaning you can teach English online relatively inexpensively. However, internet access isn’t the most reliable, so bear that in mind before planning too many online classes.
| 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 |
Other benefits
Despite the economic crisis, there are opportunities to earn a decent living and some additional benefits in Malawi, but only in specific circumstances. The only schools in Malawi offering significant benefits are international schools.
The benefits listed on job adverts for international schools can include accommodation, medical insurance and flight reimbursement. Some schools in Malawi even offer to pay the tax on your salary.
It should be noted again that additional benefits are far from the norm in Malawi. Teaching jobs outside international schools or the most elite private schools rarely offer incentives beyond a teaching salary.
English teaching jobs in Malawi
Where can you find teaching jobs in Malawi? Is there a robust state education system where English teaching jobs are widely available? Are there private language schools where teaching opportunities can be found? Let’s find out.
Public Schools
Since 2014, English has been the language of education in Malawi. This means there are opportunities for teachers, but only in different subjects.
Jobs are at a premium in primary or secondary schools if you’re specifically interested in teaching English in Malawi’s public education system. Usually, Malawian schools can’t afford to look outside of the local area for teachers. Due to the current economic crisis, volunteering is your best option, since the funding available to employ foreign teachers isn’t there, and help is needed to boost overall levels of English proficiency.
Tip: A TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours is required to maximise volunteering opportunities. If you are one of the rare foreign teachers who conducts English classes in a state school in Malawi, it’ll be because you have both a TEFL certificate and a bachelor’s degree.
How to find teaching opportunities
How can a qualified TEFL teacher find teaching opportunities in Malawi?
The TEFL Org Jobs Centre is a great place to start your job search. If you take a TEFL certificate through The TEFL Org, you’ll have lifetime access to the Jobs Centre and can find opportunities for teaching in Malawi, across Africa, or online!
TES, Serious Teachers’ Malawi page, LinkedIn, Alljobspo, and Dave’s ESL Cafe are worth following for salaried positions.
If you’re interested in volunteering, organisations like Ripple Africa and Volunteer Africa are both excellent resources. International Volunteer HQ, Go Volunteer Africa and Volunteer World are amongst the most prominent sources of volunteering opportunities for teaching in Malawi and further afield.
Getting started teaching in Malawi
Now that you understand the TEFL scene in Malawi, you’re ready to get started as an English teacher in the “Warm Heart of Africa.”
Overall, here’s what you need to do:
- Meet job requirements: To teach in Malawi, you’ll need a TEFL certificate with 120 hours of training. A bachelor’s degree, some experience and proof of English proficiency (if you’re a non-native English speaker) are also necessary for salaried positions.
- Research the demand for English: Malawi’s official language is English, yet proficiency levels are low. Therefore, teachers are needed.
- Get a visa: A Malawian work visa requires passport photos, a cover letter, bank statements, proof of accommodation, and a yellow fever vaccine certificate (if applicable). Employers will help you attain a Temporary Employment Permit (TEP).
- Know the TEFL scene: International schools offer the best salaries and benefits. Outside of international schools, salaried roles are hard to come by.
- Understand salaries: Salaries range from MWK 1,570,000 – 3,000,000 per month (£700 - £1,338 / $905 - $1,730), with international schools paying the most. The cost of living varies, with rent starting from MWK 434,000 (£193 / $250) in Lilongwe. Local primary schools and secondary schools funded by the Malawian government don't pay well, and jobs aren't readily available.
- Find opportunities: Job boards and volunteering organisations are your best bet.
- Embrace the culture: Once you've arrived in Malawi, try to learn some of the local languages. Language depends on region, with Chichewa being the most commonly spoken language.
Good luck, and keep us posted on your TEFL adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What qualifications are required to be a TEFL teacher in Malawi?
To work as an English teacher in Malawi, you need a TEFL certificate with at least 120 hours of training. For higher-salaried positions, you'll need a degree and, ideally, some experience in teaching.
Q. Is teaching experience necessary to secure a teaching position in Malawi?
Experience isn't necessary for volunteering positions in Malawi. However, if you aim to teach in a secondary school or a high-level international institution, you'll need experience.
Q. What is the typical duration of a teaching contract in Malawi?
Teaching contracts in Malawi can last anywhere from three months to two years, depending on the role and institution.
The internet has plenty of questions about what being an ESL teacher in Malawi is like. Here are our answers: