Teaching English as a foreign language or EFL teaching is a rewarding career that can help developing countries to gain a voice in the developed world. It can help in terms of education, the economy and trade. It is also easier for us to learn about each other’s culture when we have a common language. To become an EFL teacher you need enthusiasm to teach English, a degree and an EFL training certificate.
EFL teaching is a worldwide career but Africa is becoming a popular place to teach. Because of its colonial past there are hundreds if not thousands of native languages and foreign speech including German and French. Where Britain dominated during colonial times English remains but there are several countries where little is known of English.
In Rwanda’s primary and secondary schools, the government has stated that lessons should be taught in English. They hope that children will be able to communicate with the rest of the worlds better when they become the next generation of politicians, teachers and business leaders.
French has been the traditional teaching language until now and the shift to English has been put down to the Francophone feelings since the genocide in 1994. Relations have cooled as both countries blame each other for the mass killings.
Although this is definitely not a reason behind the switch to English touted by officials, commentators view this as a large reason. The official word is that by learning English Rwanda will be able to communicate more effectively with the rest of the world. As well as the major world influencers like China, England and the US, this applies to other countries as well. Rwanda’s neighbours including Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania also speak English as their second language.
The use of English as a common worldwide language is also used in business so that international offices can communicate with each other. You can teach English in nearly every country after you have completed EFL training.
