Job Description
Welcome to the Warm Heart of Africa! Takulandirani! Imagine yourself in a vibrant classroom where eager students are excited to learn and thrilled to have you as their teacher. You will witness the fruits of your efforts as students use their English skills to strengthen connections, explore new topics, and meet new people.
To equip youth for success in today’s global landscape, high school classes in Malawi are conducted in English. The stronger a student’s command of English, the greater their chances of excelling academically across all subjects. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, your primary role will be supporting English education at school, collaborating with dedicated Malawian colleagues to strengthen students’ language skills and open doors to future opportunities. Depending on your placement and interests, you may also support other areas of the school curriculum—such as art, physical education, or life skills education. Additionally, if you have STEM skills, you will have the opportunity to enhance your students’ learning in those critical subjects as well.
As a Peace Corps English and Environmental Educator in Malawi, you'll be part of an innovative approach that blends academic learning with environmental stewardship—recognizing that education is not only a pathway to opportunity, but also a powerful tool for fostering long-term sustainability. In addition to your primary English Education role, you will support environmental and wildlife clubs, mentor students in school gardening projects that improve nutrition, and support tree planting efforts that promote reforestation and climate resilience. These activities will encourage students to apply what they learn beyond the classroom—connecting language and science skills with real-world challenges in their communities. Through this integrated programming, you’ll support young people grow not just as learners, but as changemakers who understand the vital link between a healthy environment and a healthy future.
In your role, you will work alongside your Malawian colleagues to inspire your students to think critically and creatively. Together, you will enhance their command of the English language through engaging classes that utilize interactive techniques and facilitation.
After class, you and your fellow teachers will have the opportunity to support various clubs such as English, wildlife, and debate, along with other extracurricular initiatives like tree planting and sports that your school decides to implement. Promoting a love of reading is essential, not only within your school, but also in homes, the community, and among village leaders.
As an English and Environmental Educator, you will also have numerous opportunities to collaborate with Malawian counterparts to empower girls in academic achievement, goal setting, and leadership through dynamic clubs and camps.
While working in Malawi, you may encounter unique challenges, particularly in rural high schools where teaching and learning resources can be scarce. The training you receive from Peace Corps, combined with your unique experiences, expertise, passion to contribute, and the relationships you build in your community will play an important part in your success. Your flexibility and creativity as a High School English Teacher and co-facilitator will amplify the impact of your service. Your commitment to two years of meaningful work will play a vital role in nurturing Malawi’s next generation of leaders.
As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malawi, you'll have the unique opportunity to collaborate with a Corps Africa Volunteer through our innovative side-by-side program. This exciting partnership is designed to foster teamwork, enhance community development, and empower local communities. Together, you'll share experiences, build lasting relationships, and explore ‘home grown’ strategies for making a meaningful impact. Be part of a pioneering effort to amplify community-driven change in Malawi.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline and a strong desire to teach English
Desired Skills
Competitive candidates will have one or more of the following:
• Experience in classroom teaching (any subject)
• Experience mentoring and/or tutoring English language learners in schools
• Experience promoting youth life skills, leadership, or sporting activities
• Experience planning and delivering lessons in a participatory manner
• Passion/Experience in STEM
• Experience/interest in environmental education, clubs and/or nutritional gardening.
Living Conditions
Living Arrangements
As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Malawian culture. Your housing will typically be provided by the school or the community and consist of a brick house with concrete flooring and a corrugated metal roof. Many Volunteers enjoy the bonus of a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape. While amenities like electricity and running water might not be readily available, you'll have access to mobile phone coverage. You will use a solar lantern for lighting and a gas stove for cooking your meals. This experience offers a wonderful opportunity to embrace a simpler lifestyle, connect deeply with your local community, and contribute to meaningful change.
Transportation
Getting around Malawi is an adventure. As a Volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to walk, cycle, or use public transportation. While public transportation can be unpredictable, it's a great way to meet locals and experience the vibrant culture. If a bicycle is deemed necessary for transportation at your site, Peace Corps will provide one, along with a helmet, for your personal use throughout your service.
Teaching Environment
Imagine teaching eager students who are passionate about learning English! As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you'll be assigned to a rural high school where you'll teach five days a week. While resources might be limited, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of your students. With your dedication and collaboration with local teachers, you'll watch your students grow and flourish during your service.
Cultural Immersion
To succeed as a Volunteer in Malawi, it's essential to be open-minded, motivated, patient, and flexible. By embracing the local culture and learning the language, you'll build trust with your community and become a valued member. As you integrate into daily life, you'll experience the renowned warmth and hospitality of the Malawian people, who welcome strangers with open hearts and smiling faces. Malawi seamlessly blends rich culture, natural beauty, and opportunities for meaningful service, making it an ideal destination for a rewarding and enriching Volunteer experience
Dress Code
In Malawi, dressing professionally is essential for cultural respect, integration, and meeting government employee expectations. For men, this typically includes button-up shirts, slacks, and dress shoes, while for women, sleeved blouses, skirts or dresses that cover the knee when seated, and toe-covered shoes are recommended. By dressing thoughtfully and respectfully, you'll gain respect from your community, facilitate smoother integration, enhance credibility, and amplify your impact as a Volunteer, so always remain mindful of local customs, traditions, and dress codes.
Language Skills Additional Information
Get ready to immerse yourself in the local culture! During Pre-Service Training, you'll receive personalized language instructions from experienced Malawian language instructors. You'll learn to communicate in the local language spoken in your host community, opening doors to deeper connections and meaningful relationships. By the end of Training, you will be expected to achieve an Intermediate-Mid level of language proficiency, empowering you to make a lasting impact as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
Couples Comments
Peace Corps Malawi can accommodate heterosexual couples. Your partner must apply and qualify for the following position in Malawi:
- Health and Environmental Promoter
- English and Environmental Educator
We welcome couples to serve together in Malawi! As a couple, you'll have the unique opportunity to share in the challenges and rewards of Peace Corps service while supporting each other along the way.
Training and Support: During Pre-Service Training (PST), you'll participate in sector-specific language training and technical programs tailored to your individual assignments. You'll also live together with a host family, immersing yourselves in the local culture and building meaningful relationships.
Service and Community Life: After PST, you'll continue to live together in your host community, working with different community organizations and individuals to make a meaningful impact. You'll have the opportunity to share your experiences, support each other's projects, and explore the beauty of Malawi together.
Important Considerations: Please note that Malawian culture assumes cohabiting couples are married. As such, unmarried couples will need to present themselves as married throughout their service. Unfortunately, due to local laws and restrictions, same-sex couples cannot serve together in Malawi at this time.
We're excited to have you serve as a couple in Malawi!
Language Requirements Information
There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.
Environmental Adaptation and Resilience Activities (Public Information)
As an Environment Volunteer, you will be trained on best practices to protect natural resources and promote an understanding of environmental changes and challenges, including their causes. As environmental challenges become more evident, the social, economic, and environmental conditions faced by communities will become increasingly problematic, particularly for vulnerable households in low-lying areas and in historically marginalized communities.
As an Environment Volunteer, you will be trained to support communities’ adaptation to global change through your activities. Such activities may include:
• Rehabilitating natural ecosystems, including by planting trees to manage coastal erosion, extreme heat, inland flooding, and other emerging natural hazards
• Promoting disaster preparedness to increase the resilience of vulnerable households and communities and their ability to respond to extreme weather events such as cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons
• Promoting environmental education to enable community members, particularly youth, to care for nature and be mindful of environmental health, considering trends in heat, precipitation, and natural resource availability
• Assisting in the sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystem services that promote economic, health, and other benefits to the community
• Promoting nature-based solutions that the community has found successful for addressing emerging environmental issues
