Teach English in Senegal with Projects Abroad

  Senegal

Saint-Louis

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: All Year Round (you set the start and end dates)

Description: As a former colony of France, French has long been the language of education, commerce and the media in Senegal. However, with the recent increase in tourism, Senegalese society is increasingly realizing the benefits of being able to also use the English language. English is compulsory for Senegalese school children from the age of eleven to the end of secondary education. Many university students continue to pursue English studies regardless of their majors.

There is also great interest among adults - particularly those working in internationals fields like tourism, trade and education - to improve their English skills. Educating the local population will have a positive effect on the many social problems in Senegalese society; half of the population is currently estimated to be living below the poverty line.

Our volunteer opportunities teaching in Senegal can be done without a TEFL and without having any previous teaching experience. All we require are strong English language skills and a passion for engaging with others. Whether you want to get involved with teaching abroad during your gap year, career break or an extended vacation you will have a role to play on one of our placements, and your efforts will be greatly appreciated.

Volunteer Opportunities Teaching English in Schools with Projects Abroad

There are many secondary schools in and around the urban island city of St Louis, Projects Abroad Senegals base, in the north of the country. Some schools are private and some government-funded.

At the College AHL Guillabert, the school is open from 8am to 5pm, with classes running throughout the day. The children here range in age from about 12 to 18 years old with classes of thirty pupils on average, although sometimes you may find this can go up as high as sixty due to a lack of funds to pay for extra staffing. Volunteers will be expected to teach around four hours a day. There is a friendly staff-room where you can spend time with other teachers, mark work and plan lessons.

Volunteering on a Teaching Project in Senegal

As a volunteer in Senegal, you will work alongside local English teachers, encouraging the students' confidence in spoken English and helping to plan and teach lessons. Lessons are often based closely on textbooks and a set curriculum, but there are plenty of opportunities for volunteers to develop interesting themes over subsequent lessons, and to introduce more creative teaching methods.

Past volunteers have taught lessons on subjects as diverse as society, religion and women's rights, and found great enthusiasm among students to tackle such topics. Due to the fact that there are no organizations outside Dakar that offer English classes outside of school environments, Projects Abroad volunteers are in demand. You may get involved in Clubs d'Anglais in your school, as well as give lessons to adult learners in evening classes or workplace-based groups.

The schools take their long summer vacation from the end of June to mid October. During this time, summer school projects are arranged for children who want to take extra classes. The emphasis is on fun and variety and those interested in summer volunteering abroad tend to teach English and a second subject of their choice; which could be sports, drama or science, for example.

Whatever skills and talents you have, volunteer work in Senegal will give you the opportunity to put them to good use. Be imaginative with your teaching to make learning fun and enjoyable for the students and yourself!

Highlights: Saint Louis, where Projects Abroad is based is on the coast in the North of the country, close to the border with Mauritania. Dakar, the capital is about 4 hours journey south down the 600km coastline. Senegal possesses many tropical palm fringed beaches and several national parks including Parc National de Niokolo- Koba where you can view wildlife like hippos, monkeys, chimpanzees, warthog, crocodile and if you're lucky the elusive lion and leopard.

In terms of accommodation, all our volunteers in Senegal stay in a home stay which is a great way to get totally immersed in the culture, and practice speaking French too! There will be a community of volunteers there for you to get to know and socialize with.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: Volunteers must be 16 years old and submit 1 letter of recommendation.

Cost in US$: From USD 2,895 and up

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Anyone with an open mind and a desire to travel

Age Range: 16-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Senegal Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992