Teach English In Namibia

If you’re after spectacular landscapes and awe-inspiring natural beauty rather than bright lights and big cities then Namibia may be your destination of choice. Namibia is one of the least densely populated places in the world, thanks to the sprawling Namib Desert which occupies most of the country. The Namib is considered to be the oldest desert in the world, and its sand dunes are the highest and are the iconic symbol of Namibia.

Namibia is a huge country with lots to offer. Lush and traditional in the north and with vast open spaces in the south, there are many reasons tourists visit the area: the dunes of Sossusvlei, the seaside town of Swakopmund, safari in the salt pans of Etosha National Park, the Quiver Tree Forest, the Fish River Canyon and, to top it all off, 300 days of sunshine every year.

Once a German colony, Namibia became independent from South Africa in 1990. English is the official language, but Namibia is definitely a multilingual country, speaking also German, Afrikaans, and local languages Oshiwambo, Nama, Kavango, and Otijherero. Traditional culture is alive and well in Namibia, with Afrikaans culture as well as tribal culture peacefully co-existing together.

There are some spectacular and historic locations to visit across Namibia. With its low level of the population compared to its land surface, it’s one of the most populated locations for wildlife around the world. An example of this is Skeleton Coast: boarding the Atlantic ocean, it’s densely populated with seals. The name originates from John Henry Marsh’s book chronicling the shipwreck of Dunedin Star. The coast was known for its unassailable fog causing hundreds of shipwrecks; so much so that Portuguese sailors referred to the locations as ‘the gates of hell’. With its long and grizzly history, the coast is covered in rusting ship hulls and bones of seals, whales, and humans.

Cheetahs are another mammal that thrives in Namibia. With the largest population of free-roaming cheetahs, the world’s fastest mammal on land can be seen in its natural habitat through several tourist initiatives across the country. The endangered Black rhinoceros is also found across the stunning Namibian landscape.

If you love hiking the Sossusvlei sand dunes in Namibia are one of the must-do activities whilst traveling. Namibia is home to some of the highest sand dunes in the world, with the suitably-named Big Daddy being the highest at about 325 meters. It’s located in the southern part of the Namib Desert.

There are numerous volunteering opportunities available in Namibia, though you are likely to be placed in a rural area where you will be the only foreigner. Volunteers teach English, but also Maths and Science and possibly other subjects as well. The cost of living in Namibia is relatively high because almost everything has to be imported but if you are volunteering you are usually given a monthly stipend as well as accommodation.

It is also possible to find a position in one of the international Schools, but these positions often require Namibian permanent residency because schools prefer to hire locals rather than foreigners as a result of the high unemployment rate in Namibia. There are a few language schools where it is possible to find openings.

Teaching English in Namibia requires a BA/BS degree, and contracts typically last from one to twelve months, with hiring occurring year-round. A permanent residency status is preferred for obtaining a visa. Students typically range from children to teenagers.

The average monthly cost of living in Namibia ranges from 8,500 to 10,500 NAD, while the average monthly salary ranges from 15,000 to 25,000 NAD in local currency. With these factors in mind, teaching English in Namibia can be a great opportunity for those looking to gain international teaching experience while immersing themselves in the culture of Southern Africa.

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