Learn Swahili and teach English in Kenya

Swahili is an official language of four African countries - Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and the Congo (DRC) and spoken unofficially in areas of a further seven sub-Saharan nations, making it one of the most frequently spoken languages on the African continent. We have teamed up with teachers in three beautiful towns across Kenya to offer you a fantastic opportunity to learn and practice Swahili whilst working in a local primary school outside of lessons. You will have private daily lessons in small groups delivered by a teacher who will assign tasks to complete outside the lessons in order to quickly enhance your oral ability. Your lessons will take place in the mid-to-late afternoon and you'll be able to perfect your Swahili during the morning and early afternoon by working with children similarly grasping the basic concept of English - making the learning process easier and more enjoyable. This placement presents a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in African culture in every possible way. Very few Westerners are able to speak Swahili and the locals will be surprised and impressed in equal measures when you show off your new skills!

Whilst outside of your daily Swahili lessons, you will be based at a nearby school where you'll be needed to help play games with kids, offer care and support, prepare and serve meals as well as assisting in English lessons. As the kids have not received any formal education, basic teaching of maths, art and music can be essential to shape basic learning as well as great fun. This will be an opportunity for you to practice some of your Swahili in an environment conducive to productive learning. Being able to speak Swahili will undoubtedly endear you to class pupils even more. As a community volunteer, you'll also have the chance to make home visits to pupils' families, local hospitals and wholesalers to help select food for meals.

No formal qualifications are necessary. If you enjoy working with children and have a positive and flexible approach together with a willingness to help, your work will be appreciated immeasurably. All ages and abilities are welcome as we know different people bring different talents to the projects. Wet season is April to July, which can help cool off from the hot temperatures during November to February. Your project coordinator will decide at the beginning of your placement whether to hold your Swahili lessons in the morning, afternoon or evening. Your lessons will last approximately an hour each and you will have the chance to regularly assess your new skills. You will then work around the itinerary of volunteers on the community work with children projects.

Your role as a community worker with children will be invaluable as you provide help, assistance and care for children in deprived area. A typical day will see you get up at approximately 7.30am, before having breakfast and meeting your fellow volunteers and project coordinator at approximately 8.45am before assisting in transporting any children to school who are unable to do so themselves. You'll have a short 'play-time' before they start lessons and you leave the school and make any home visits to those unable to come to school altogether. This period may include any hospital visits for or with children to see relatives too. Following this, you will head back to school to help prepare the lunchtime meals for pupils with the other volunteers.

You can enjoy a well-earned break before playing games with the kids or even conducting your own sports class ahead of their afternoon lesson. In the afternoons, you'll source stationery, food, drink and materials for the coming days before returning to school to walk the kids home. Your working day will finish at approximately 4pm, giving you plenty of time to catch up with your home-stay family or visit the nearby town.