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. We can also share each other’s cultures better when we can share a common second or first language. To become an EFL teacher you need enthusiasm to teach English, a degree and an EFL training certificate.
Africa has become one of the most popular continents to travel to as an EFL teacher. Its colonial history lives on with many countries speaking French and German as well as their native language. Where Britain dominated during colonial times English remains but there are several countries where little is known of English.
Rwanda has adopted a national strategy to begin teaching in English at its primary and secondary schools. 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.
The Francophobe feelings that run deep in Rwanda since the 1994 genocide have been put as a reason behind this move away from French. Relations have cooled as both countries blame each other for the mass killings.
The switch to English has not been given this reason by officials but national and international commentators see this as a major factor. The official line is that communication with the rest of the world will be easier with English as the common second language. This does not only apply to potential foreign trading countries like China, England and the US. 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. EFL training is a sure way to becoming a teacher of English in a foreign country.