Teach English in Zambia

Zambia is undergoing significant educational developments, with new schools constantly being built, and more opportunities for English teachers to work abroad.

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If you love nature, are desperate to teach English in Africa and want to be part of exciting changes, teaching English in Zambia is an alluring option. Major education reforms are reshaping the landscape. The government made education free in 2021 and committed $1 billion to build new schools and improve infrastructure.

English is Zambia's official language, but few Zambians speak it as their first language. There’s growing demand for qualified English, particularly in rural areas, where schools often lack resources and support. With large class sizes and a shortage of trained educators, there’s real opportunity to make an impact in both urban and remote communities.

In this guide, we’ll explore what you need to get started, typical salaries, the cost of living, and what to expect from life as a TEFL teacher in Zambia.

Quick facts about Zambia

Country Name: Republic of Zambia
Capital: Lusaka
Official Language: English
Population: 20.7 million (World Bank, 2024)
Currency: Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)

Why teach English in Zambia?

Zambia is an ideal landing spot for an authentic African teaching experience. Known for its welcoming people, rich culture, and incredible wildlife, Zambia offers TEFL teachers both real adventure and purpose.

Victoria Falls might be Zambia’s most famous landmark, but there’s a lot more to this African nation than that. National parks like Kafue and South Luangwa are world-renowned safari destinations, and the country’s cities are lively and friendly.

Although English is the official language used in education, it’s only used as a first language by around 2% of the population. Indigenous languages like Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, and Lozi are widely spoken, with Nyanja most commonly used in cities.

As a TEFL teacher, you’ll use English in the classroom, but daily life may involve other languages. Being open to learning a local language can make a big difference. It helps build relationships, deepens your cultural experience, and shows respect for the community you’re living in.

Basic requirements and qualifications

What do you need on your CV to find English teaching jobs in Zambia?

TEFL certification

A TEFL certificate from a reputable course provider is essential to landing an English teaching job in Zambia. The industry standard is 120 hours of training.

Having advanced TEFL certificates on your CV can make a difference. A qualification in teaching large classes is valuable training for teaching in Zambia, as class sizes in state schools can reach 70 or 80 pupils. A qualification in teaching young learners would help you to separate yourself from other candidates.

Tip: Many Zambians are interested in working and learning abroad. Advanced TEFL certificates in Business English or English for Academic Purposes will help meet the needs of these learners.

Education requirements

You’ll typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to find full-time teaching jobs in Zambia. In some cases, particularly at private schools and international schools, a master’s degree is required.

Tip: Volunteering allows you to teach English abroad without a degree in Zambia.

Teaching experience

Though you don’t need experience teaching English to find work in Zambia, it helps. Experience is valuable in finding higher-paid roles. For volunteering or entry-level positions, however, you can find English teaching jobs without having teaching experience on your CV.

Visa and work permit requirements

For English teachers, there are three main work visa options in Zambia. These are:

Short-term work permit: Foreign employees can work in Zambia for up to three months. You can renew this visa only once and be granted an additional three months.
Employment permit/long-term work permit: This visa allows you to work in Zambia for up to two years. It is renewable.
Temporary employment permit: This visa is for short-term projects under six months. Volunteering opportunities usually require this permit.

You need a job offer to get any of these visas. To get a visa, you need to provide several essential documents, including:

Passport (at least six months of validity and three or more blank pages)
A completed application form
2 recent passport photographs
A police background check from your country of origin
Copied, notarised scans of academic and professional qualifications (including degree, TEFL certificate)
A job offer from a Zambian employer
A cover letter from the employer

Language proficiency

Although English is Zambia’s official language, it’s not widely spoken. The main local languages are:

Bemba (35%)
Nyanja or Chewa (20%)
Tonga (12%)
Lozi (6%)

Nyanja is most commonly spoken in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital city. You don’t need to be fluent in a local language, but learning greetings and basic phrases will help you get about outside the classroom. Knowing a local language makes it easier to engage with students, connect with the community, and find work through local networks and word of mouth.

Download our teaching English in the Middle East & Africa guide

Salary and benefits for English teachers in Zambia

Teaching English in Zambia can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to know what to expect when it comes to finances.

Country	Avg. monthly salary	Degree required	Start of term	Teaching experience	Housing & flights included	Suitable for non-native English speakers	Age restrictions
Teach in Zambia	7,000 - 12,000 ZMW £193 - £331 GBP $248 - $425 USD		February	Preferred	Generally provided by international schools		None

Salary

On average, full-time English teachers earn between ZMW 7,000 – ZMW 12,000 per month (£193 – £331 / $248 – $425).

Your salary will depend on your qualifications, experience, and where you teach. Jobs in Lusaka and Kitwe tend to pay more than rural positions. International and private schools usually offer the highest salaries and best facilities, though they are harder to find.

Cost of living

Zambia’s cost of living is relatively low, especially outside major cities. Even in Lusaka, expenses are affordable on a teacher’s salary.

According to Numbeo, rent for a one-bedroom apartment in central Lusaka averages around £176 / $226 per month. Budget-friendly options can be found for as little as ZMW 1,000 (around £28 / $35) in and around the city.

Monthly utilities in Lusaka typically cost £72 / $92, while transport is inexpensive. A bus ride from Lusaka to Victoria Falls ranges between £24 – £36 / $31 – $46.

Internet access, essential for teachers working online to supplement their income, costs around £97 / $125 per month.

Consult our table for more information about the cost of living in Zambia:

Restaurants	ZMW	USD	GBP
Inexpensive restaurant meal
Domestic beer (0.5 litre)
Regular cappuccino
Water (0.33 litre)
Markets	ZMW	USD	GBP
Regular milk (1 litre)
Loaf of white bread
Regular eggs (1 dozen)
Apples (1 kg)
Transportation	ZMW	USD	GBP
One-way ticket (local transport)
Monthly pass (regular price)
Taxi start (normal tariff)
Gasoline (1 litre)
Utilities	ZMW	USD	GBP
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	ZMW	USD	GBP
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

English teaching jobs in Zambia’s international and private schools can include generous benefits, such as:

Flight reimbursement
Housing or a housing allowance
End-of-contract bonuses
Tuition discounts for children

You shouldn’t expect a lot in terms of additional benefits at state schools. However, teachers working in remote areas may be eligible for arural hardship allowance to support those in less accessible regions.

English teaching jobs in Zambia

What kinds of teaching jobs are available in Zambia? Here are the best options:

State schools
Private schools
International schools
Language schools
Private tutoring

State schools

English is taught in state schools across Zambia, even though English proficiency and take-up are low outside of schools. These schools can have enormous class sizes, sometimes up to 100 students.

Want to teach in a Zambian state school? You’ll need a 120-hour TEFL certificate, a degree (preferably in education), and be registered with the Teaching Council of Zambia.

Private schools

Zambian private schools are primarily found in Lusaka, Ndola, and Livingstone. Class sizes are usually significantly smaller, and teachers can sometimes earn more.

To teach in Zambian private schools, you’ll need a bachelor's degree (at least), a high-quality TEFL certification, and previous teaching experience. Some private schools may offer additional benefits, including travel, accommodation, and bonuses.

Tip: Just because a school is privately funded doesn’t mean it’s the most lucrative. Accounts from TEFL teachers in Zambia describe extremely low salaries in private schools. Before you take a job, read your contract carefully!

International schools

There aren’t many international schools in Zambia, but you’ll find a few in Lusaka and cities within the Copperbelt Province.

The requirements for teaching in these institutions are stricter than in public schools. Usually, you’ll need to be a native English speaker and have a teaching qualification from an English-speaking country. Teaching experience, at least a bachelor’s degree, and TEFL certification are essential.

Language schools

Language schools are available in Zambia’s major cities. You’ll need a TEFL certification of 120 hours or more. Still, advanced TEFL certificates in Business English or English for Academic Purposes benefit aspirational Zambians learning English in language schools.

Language schools aren’t typically the most lucrative employers, but if you have teaching experience, you can usually earn enough to cover living expenses comfortably.

Private tutoring

Opportunities for private tutoring can be readily found in Lusaka and Livingstone, as well as through online platforms catering to Zambian students. The more qualifications and experience you have, the better.

Students are particularly keen to take exams like IELTS and TOEFL. These certificates help Zambians explore economic and educational opportunities abroad.

How to find teaching opportunities in Zambia

There are plenty of opportunities to TEFL in Zambia - if you know where to look.

The TEFL Org Jobs Centre is a great resource. If you’ve completed your TEFL certification through The TEFL Org, you’ll have lifetime access to the Jobs Centre, which regularly posts opportunities worldwide, including in Zambia.

Other useful online job portals include Serious Teachers, Dave’s ESL Cafe, and LinkedIn. Finding reputable organisations for volunteering opportunities is a significant step. International Volunteer HQ, for example, has programmes in Zambia, as do African Impact, Love Volunteers, and more.

Get started teaching English in Zambia

Zambia is a rewarding destination for TEFL teachers drawn to vibrant culture, linguistic diversity, and spectacular scenery. The country’s education system has seen significant improvements recently, with growing investment in facilities and rising school attendance. There’s strong demand for qualified English teachers, particularly in rural areas with limited resources.

With national parks, rich traditions, and welcoming communities, Zambia offers an unforgettable experience for teachers seeking to make a meaningful impact.

Here are some key takeaways about teaching English in Zambia:

Demand is significant. Although English is Zambia's official language, only about 2% of Zambians are proficient.
While teaching in Zambia, you can earn about ZMW 7,000 - ZMW 12,000 per month (£193 - £331 / $248 - $425), with a low cost of living even in major cities like Lusaka.
To start teaching in Zambia, you need a TEFL certificate with 120 hours of TEFL training attached. Advanced TEFL certification in Business English, Exam Preparation and English for Academic Purposes is beneficial.
In Zambia, teaching English through volunteering programmes is common.
Most higher-salaried jobs teaching English in Zambia are in Lusaka and cities within the Copperbelt Province. Rural state schools typically offer a “rural hardship allowance” as an incentive to teach outside major cities.
Zambia is incredibly linguistically diverse. Before teaching in Zambia, learn about Zambian languages and culture. This makes a significant difference and can help you find better-paid jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

The internet has plenty of questions about teaching English in Zambia. Here are our answers!

Q. How to begin teaching in Zambia?

A 120-hour TEFL course provides the foundation to teach in Zambia and worldwide. Many jobs in Zambia also require a degree and some teaching experience.

Q. How much do teachers get paid in Zambia?

Teaching in Zambia can earn educators an average monthly salary of ZMW 7,000 - ZMW 12,000 (£193 - £331 / $248 - $425). Wages in institutions like international schools and private schools are usually higher.

Q. Is it necessary to know the local language to teach in Zambia?

When teaching in Zambia, you’ll realise how linguistically diverse this part of Africa is. The dominant languages are Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, and Lozi. In Zambia, teaching jobs are sometimes found through word-of-mouth and in-person networking, so knowing a local language is very useful. Online tutoring and local language centres are the best way to access Zambian language learning.