Teaching English Volunteer Project in Ghana - Accra Region
Dreaming of Teaching English in Ghana? International Volunteer HQ’s Teaching English project is a great opportunity for volunteers to help with lessons in schools in rural Ghana. A shortage of teachers in these areas means even in a country where English is spoken, there are often few quality learning opportunities for students outside the main cities. Native and fluent English speakers bring a high level of expertise which can make a huge difference to the learning ability of students.
Highlights:
- Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
- Affordable fees from $270 for 1 week
- Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
- Teach English to students in disadvantaged areas
- Experience Ghana off the beaten track
- Stay with other volunteers in a rustic village
Who is this program suited to?
Key information
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Although Ghana is officially an English-speaking country, under-resourcing means school children often don’t have the best opportunities to learn the language. Volunteers who can speak English fluently can provide assistance and guidance that can help boost the quality of education especially for disadvantaged students in rural areas.
Teaching English volunteers will be based in schools in rural communities, either teaching solo or assisting local teachers. Duties often include:
- Teaching English
- Tutoring students
- Teaching music, math, geography and arts
- Lesson planning
You are welcome to bring your own resources to assist with these lessons.
Please note the school year is broken up into three terms, with four week breaks in between. Because volunteers assist children in schools, if you apply for the Teaching project during these holiday breaks, it will be unavailable. During these times, you can instead work with school directors and placement staff on school holiday workshops. These often include fun and physical activities that you will be able to lead in English.
Why do Teaching English volunteering in Ghana with IVHQ?
Why volunteer to Teach English in Ghana with IVHQ? As a volunteer English teacher in Ghana you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving the quality of English language education in rural Ghana
- Helping students in a range of school subjects
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining teaching experience
- Immersing yourself in the Ghanian way of life
- Exploring beautiful Western Africa
Volunteer requirements
Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate in this program, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more. All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
Recommended online TEFL course
We encourage volunteers on IVHQ’s Teaching and Childcare projects to come prepared by completing some relevant training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. Although formal teaching qualifications are not required on these projects as volunteers are supported by local staff, taking a TEFL course enables you to gain more from the experience. Visit our Online TEFL Course page to learn how to gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification at a discounted rate.
Get TEFL certified online”The fact that I shared this experience with my daughter and was able to join her in the outreach projects was very special. The flexibility in my placement was excellent in that I was able to work with the schools and was also welcomed to participate in the malaria testing and wound care outreaches. This made for a very rewarding experience . Our 4 weeks pro...” read more
Carolyne, CA , 51
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Location
When you volunteer in Ghana with IVHQ, you’ll get the opportunity to experience the country’s vibrant, diverse culture and get to know the people who are said to be some of the friendliest locals in Western Africa. While Ghana is a rapidly developing country which has seen an economic upturn in the last decade, there are still many places where people face the challenges poverty brings. This is especially true outside of the major cities in the rural areas where volunteers are most needed.
Rural volunteer placements are typically in low-income areas which often lack the funding, labor and resources they need to develop their communities. By choosing to volunteer in Ghana you can make a real difference by assisting with local initiatives that seek to improve the quality of life for the people who live there.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins on the 1st and 15th of every month and volunteers need to arrive in Accra on the day before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Accra. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Ghana prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up at a prearranged location in Accra on the day before your program orientation.
Orientation is hosted by our local team in Accra and begins on the morning of your chosen start date. This covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program Ghana – an introduction to Ghana, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
After orientation you will be taken to your placement in a rural Ghanian community.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On the first day of volunteering, volunteers will be escorted to their placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff they will be working with. A typical daily schedule would be as follows:
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer house. |
| 8:00 AM | Travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project. There is usually a tea break and a lunch break. |
| 2:00 - 5:00 PM | Work at the project usually ends and you are free to relax and use the remainder of the day as you wish. |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner at the volunteer accommodation. |
Please note this schedule can vary depending on your project and placement.
Weekends
During the weekends, volunteers have spare time and usually just relax or take the opportunity to discover the brilliant colors, music, food, fashion, history and nature that combine to make Ghana a true feast for the senses. Head to the capital city of Accra to see markets, museums and live music, or take a trip to Cape Coast and Elmina where you’ll find the Elmina Slave Castle - the first trading post built South of the Sahara - and pretty, palm-lined beaches where you can relax in the sun. You can also spend long weekends visiting other Western African countries like the neighbouring nations of Côte d’Ivoire and Togo.
Looking for more ideas of things to do in Ghana? Check out our Ghana Travel & Tours page!
Accommodation and WiFi
You’ll either stay in a volunteer house, at your placement with other volunteers or in a volunteer house alongside a local family. There are separate rooms for male and female volunteers with shared common room and toilet facilities. Living is basic but the majority of volunteer houses have electricity, while only few have running water. Power cuts are common in Ghana and most rural houses do not have running water during times of drought. Pillows and sheets are provided, however it is recommended that you bring your own towels and mosquito nets - or buy them in Ghana.
There is WiFi access available at local cafes and restaurants in a nearby village, which is a 15 to 20 minute walk from the volunteer accommodation. You can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone to keep connected.
Meals
Volunteers in Ghana are served three meals per day. Breakfast generally consists of tea and coffee, and a hot breakfast. A typical lunch and dinner can include meat and vegetables with rice or noodles. If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know ahead of time so that we can make arrangements for you.
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $270 Equivalent to $39/day |
| 2 weeks | $410 Equivalent to $30/day |
| 3 weeks | $530 Equivalent to $26/day |
| 4 weeks | $650 Equivalent to $24/day |
| 5 weeks | $770 Equivalent to $22/day |
| 6 weeks | $920 Equivalent to $22/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,210 Equivalent to $22/day |
| 10 weeks | $1,500 Equivalent to $22/day |
| 12 weeks | $1,800 Equivalent to $22/day |
| 16 weeks | $2,420 Equivalent to $22/day |
| 20 weeks | $3,040 Equivalent to $22/day |
| 24 weeks | $3,660 Equivalent to $22/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Certificate of International Volunteering
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of $299 in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Ghana generally find US$50 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including water, toilet paper, transport and miscellaneous spending.
Check what's required to visit Ghana
Fill out the quick form below to find out what the Covid-19 restrictions and visa requirements are for Ghana, based on your country of residence.
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Protecting against COVID-19:
Volunteers tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours of travel
Health & safety information provided during orientation
Strict disinfecting standards for programs & accomodation
Greater physical distance between volunteers
Essential country information
| Capital | Accra |
| Population | 30.42 million |
| Languages | English |
| Currency | Ghanian Cedi (GHS) |
| Time zone | UTC+00:00 |
Weather and climate
Weather and climate: Ghana has a tropical climate and the average temperature falls between 21°C to 28°C (70°F to 82°F). In the north, there is a rainy season from April to June and September to November. The rainy season in the south lasts from April to mid-November. The weather is typically humid however, over the dry season, desert winds in the north can create cooler evenings and a drier atmosphere.
