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Teach English in Botswana

Do you love wildlife? Are you looking for a mix of modern architecture and breathtaking nature? Botswana might have the answer.

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If you’re looking to combine your TEFL talents with a love of wildlife, Botswana might be one of the premier destinations on the planet. All species from hippos to elephants, giraffes to lions and even more obscure animals like sitatungas, aardvarks and adorable cape foxes can all be found on safari in this incredible, landlocked southern African nation.

Botswana is certainly a country with an upward trajectory. Known for its political stability, rising levels of literacy, compulsory primary education and high quality of life - especially in the cities - “The Peaceful Nation” has its nickname for a reason. In schools, government and business, English is the dominant language.

In an interesting position, Botswana is rapidly developing, yet is still considered an unequal, comparatively poor country. A lot of teaching opportunities in Botswana are voluntary, and the English teaching work is extremely competitive. While the cities boast some good schools and even some excellent universities, rural areas and smaller towns have not seen the benefit of the growth in Botswana’s ever-growing economy.

A country of contrasts, but how does a TEFL teacher fit in? How easy is it to find work teaching English as a foreign language in Botswana? What requirements do ESL teachers need to meet? What is a typical teaching salary in Botswana, and how does it compare to the cost of living? Let’s take a detailed look.

Botswana: an overview 

To understand Botswana and the opportunities that exist there today, it’s important to understand some historical context. When the Republic of Botswana gained independence in 1966, it only had 12km of paved road and only 22 of its citizens had attended university.

Now, Botswana has a literacy rate of 88%, making it one of the top 10 most literate countries in Africa. Primary education is compulsory, and the mission by 2030 is to put secondary education under the same bracket. However, compulsory education does not necessarily equal high-quality education, and there is a significant skills gap between high-ranking institutions in the big cities and rural schools, which lack qualified teachers.

Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, is the perfect example of the “modern” Botswana. Home to excellent modern infrastructure, including good schools, an airport, shopping malls, hotels, government buildings and all the trappings of a current capital city, it’s also surrounded by gorgeous natural landscapes. It’s here that you’ll find the best-paying and best-funded TEFL jobs.

Requirements 

So, what do you need to teach English in "The Peaceful Nation"?

Based on job adverts and visa requirements we’ve seen, non-native English speakers can teach English abroad in Botswana. Of course, holding an IELTS or TOEFL certificate, or a degree from an English-speaking country, will help to demonstrate your English language fluency.

From a visa perspective, you’ll need a job offer to be considered for an employment visa and work permit. Meet the requirements for a job, and you’ll meet the requirements for a visa. When we talk about general requirements, we do so having taken into account numerous job adverts and norms for employment in Botswana.

For volunteer positions, it's different - volunteer opportunities are generally open to students with a general interest in teaching abroad. It's not just for native English speakers, either, there are volunteer positions for anyone who can teach English - if you're TESOL certified, all the better.

What else will you need to teach English as a foreign language in "The Peaceful Nation"? Let’s take a look.

TEFL certificate 

A TEFL certificate is an absolute must to teach English in Botswana. Job adverts for teaching positions in Botswana typically demand a teaching certificate - completion of a TEFL course fits the bill. 120 hours of TEFL study is the industry standard. Your TEFL certification must be from a reputable, well-known course provider, one that has been recognised by multiple accreditation bodies. Otherwise, employers in Botswana will be cynical about the validity of your teaching certificate and might be wary of hiring you.

Degree/no-degree 

Employers in Botswana will usually ask for a degree. More elite institutions ask for specific bachelor’s degrees in Education or English. If you want to teach English abroad without a degree in Botswana, however, volunteering is the best route. There is a raft of teaching opportunities at the voluntary level, and these kinds of experiences can provide a fantastic grounding in TEFL instruction and a chance to make a really positive social impact.

Experience 

Previous teaching experience is highly valued in Botswana. Some employers ask for as much as five years of experience in the classroom, though two or three years of prior teaching experience is more common.

If you’re looking to teach English abroad without experience, however, volunteering is - again - an excellent option if you’re able to do it. 

Visa

To get a visa and a permit for paid teaching jobs, in a salaried position, you’ll need to follow a fairly straightforward procedure. You’ll need to go to a Botswanan embassy or consulate and submit an application for a visa in person. Once you’ve sent your application, you’ll need to go back to the same embassy/consulate to find out whether you’ve been successful, and if your visa has been approved, it’ll be printed there.

What do you need to provide?

  • 2 recent passport-size photos (in colour)
  • A valid passport, with copies of the first two pages. Must be valid for over 6 months.
  • A cover letter, detailing the reasons for visit.
  • Flight itinerary, accommodation bookings/address in Botswana.
  • Re-entry permit to your country or origin (if applicable)
  • Waiver from Department of Labour.
  • Employment contract/confirmation letter of employment/volunteer position
  • If volunteering, proof of financial means
  • For a visa extension: a letter of justification, copy of previously issued visa

It usually takes about 1-2 weeks for your visa application to be processed, and can cost between BWP 500.00 ($50/£39) to BWP 1,500.00 ($150/£117). The cost depends on whether you want a single-entry visa, for up to 3 months, or a multiple-entry visa for up to six months.

Work permit

To secure a permit and start teaching English, you’ll need permission to teach from the Ministry of Education. This involves a qualification evaluation from the Botswana Qualification Authority (BQA) - so having a properly accredited qualification from a reputable provider pays!

In addition to this, you and your employer will need to provide:

  • A copy of the original job advert (less than 6 months old)
  • Employment contract
  • Signed application letter
  • Letter of offer or appointment letter
  • CV/Resumé
  • Certified copies of educational certificates. Please note that all certificates in foreign languages must be translated into English and be confirmed by the Botswana Qualification Authority
  • Certified copy of a valid passport and 2x passport-size photographs (white background)
  • 2 x Passport-size photos (with a white background)
  • Supporting letter from relevant Ministries for Government projects (if applicable)

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Salary, benefits and cost of living

So you're ready to start teaching English in one of sub-Saharan Africa's most fascinating countries, eager to show off your skills and qualifications and find English teaching jobs. Great! But when an English teacher moves to Botswana, what kind of salary can they expect? Are there any bonuses on offer, and what’s the cost of living like? Let’s take a detailed look at how well teaching positions in Botswana pay, and what kind of bonuses you can expect while teaching abroad in "The Peaceful Nation".

Salary 

In Botswana, the average English teaching salary is about P147,000 ($10,868/£8,459) per year, equivalent to $905/£704 per month, in a full-time teaching position. Of course, this can be much higher in the limited number of international and private schools, which exist primarily within the larger metropolitan areas like Gaborone. 

Benefits 

In terms of benefits, Botswanan employers can be extremely generous. Teaching positions usually last about 12 months (although they can be renewed), and it’s quite common for English teachers to receive end-of-contract bonuses.

TEFL jobs at more elite institutions will also come with accommodation assistance, relocation assistance (including the processing of visa fees and other administrative costs), medical insurance and bonuses after a certain number of years.

Cost of living 

The cost of living in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana, is more expensive than anywhere else in the country, making a good barometer of what’s affordable. We start with rent - to rent a one-bedroom apartment in central Gaborone costs about $241/£188 per month. This is reduced to $138/£108 if you’d rather live outside the main hub of Gaborone.

Basic utilities, including water and air conditioning, are about $53/£41, but internet access is comparatively expensive, costing about $64/£50 per month.

If you’re keen to head out and sample some of the local Botswanan cuisine, you can eat solo, at an inexpensive eaterie, for about $4/£3. A three-course meal for two at a mid-priced restaurant usually costs about $29/£23.

Country Avg. monthly salary Degree required Start of term Teaching experience Housing & flights included Suitable for non-native English speakers Age restrictions
Teach in Botswana P12,250
(£704 GBP
$905 USD)		 January Not usually None

Teaching opportunities and types of jobs in Botswana 

Given that English is the official language in Botswana, and has already been used in education for generations, it can be very difficult for TEFL teachers to find work. 

Volunteer opportunities are an excellent way to get into English teaching in Botswana, and provide invaluable experience and the chance to make a tangible impact, especially in rural communities where education spending isn’t as high.

Where can the teaching jobs be found? Where are the jobs? Let's take a look.

Public schools

Though schools teach in English anyway, you might find some interest - especially in bigger cities - for foreign English teachers at the public school level. You’ll need at least a degree, as well as TEFL certification and some previous teaching experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. How much do English teachers make in Botswana?

    English teachers in full-time, salaried positions in Botswana typically make about P147,000 ($10,868/£8,459) per year, equivalent to $905/£704 per month.

  • Q. How do I get permission to teach in Botswana?

    To teach in Botswana, you’ll need to gain a visa and an employment permit. This process involves a qualification evaluation from the Botswana Qualification Authority (BQA). To start this process off, you’ll typically need a job offer from a Botswanan employer, or you can volunteer.

  • Q. What qualifications do you need to be a teacher in Botswana?

    To teach full-time in Botswana, you’ll usually need a degree, a TEFL certificate (from an accredited, reputable course provider) and some teaching experience.

  • Q. How to apply for a teaching job in Botswana?

    Most teaching jobs in Botswana can be found online. For visa and employment permit reasons, you’ll need a concrete job offer before you move over. Volunteer positions can also be found online.