Teaching Sports, Arts, English, Music, Drama

Product Details

The placement at a glance

Accommodation in pairs with food and allowances provided. Four-day in-county orientation followed by 3 months at your school. Then one month extensive travel including the amazing AV group safari.

Country knowledge

Malawi is known as 'The warm heart of Africa' and lays just south of the Equator in the southern part of the Rift Valley. With one fifth of the total land mass covered by the magnificent Lake Malawi and its 3000-meter mountains to the North, it is indeed a spectacular country. The climate is based on 3 seasons: a cool dry period from May to August followed by hot humid weather until the rains break in November and the weather becomes more tropical.

Orientation and Training

Our 4-day orientation course is held on the shores of Lake Naivasha, about 80km north of Nairobi in the Rift Valley and, whilst getting to know your fellow AVs, you are introduced to the local language, culture and customs, health and hygiene, TEFL teaching practices and all you need to ensure your precious time in East Africa is the best it can be. You will then fly to Lilongwe, where our main AV representative Heather Wallace will meet you.

"My memories of being accepted by the community are ones I will treasure forever."

School Selection

AV has built up incredible relationships worldwide and selects suitable rural primary and secondary schools in which volunteers can be placed in pairs. Pupils have a huge desire to learn and, with class sizes from 40 upwards, there will be lots of smiling faces to get to know! Schools are selected within areas that allow you to meet up with other AVs most weekends, though we do encourage you to contribute in full to festivals and ceremonies in your village as well as the extra-mural activities in your school.

School Location

In Malawi some of our schools are on the plains of the central region, near the new capital of Lilongwe and fairly close to the lake. Others are a little further south, near the original capital of Zomba. Chichewa is the national language although English is the language used in all schools for teaching.

Teaching

You will work as an Assistant Teacher and we will place you, where possible, in schools to enable you to teach your preferred subjects. You will undoubtedly be in demand within the schools and will be expected to help in a wide variety of activities- especially teaching music, drama and arts. Sports coaching and PE are also particularly in demand. The school year in Malawi starts in January and ends in November. School terms are mid January to mid April, early May to late July and late August to mid November.

Adventure, Travel and Safari

Following your teaching attachment you have a period of free travel for 2-3 weeks until departure from Nairobi on our awesome 6 day safari. You may decide to forego the use of your return air ticket to Kenya and make your way there overland, through Tanzania – the choice is yours! Our Safari takes in the vast amounts of game and flamingos living around the edge of Lake Nakuru as well as 3 nights in the famous Masai Mara where you can see all of the 'Big Five'

Culture shock and Security

Many AVs have walked this path before you, but this is not a scheme for the faint hearted. There will be periods of frustration and, initially, a considerable culture shock. The safety and security of our volunteers is our utmost concern. We provide a comprehensive medical and general travel policy arranged by Endsleigh Insurance, including 24 hour medical cover and air repatriation, in-country medical back up and air rescue with the Flying Doctors society of East Africa.

Apply below for free brochure. There is no application fee.