Spoken English Immersion Program

Application Status: Actively Recruiting
Status Closed for 2026, Open for 2027
Application Deadline August 17, 2026

The Spoken English Immersion Program (SEIP) at The School of St Jude in Arusha, Tanzania, is an annual initiative implemented by volunteers. The program aims to help students build fluency and enhance their pronunciation and confidence through fun, interactive lessons, each of which is designed with a variety of activities focused on developing oral English skills.

Volunteers will support around 350 secondary students, mostly aged 13 and older, many of whom have recently come from government schools. The students have written English skills but limited chances to practise speaking with native speakers, so they lack confidence in their oral English. They are bright, respectful, and eager to improve, knowing that strong spoken English greatly enhances their future job prospects in Tanzania.

Volunteers must commit to a teaching program for two full weeks including Saturday mornings, as well as a two-day planning and preparation program prior to the arrival of the students. Volunteers will work in a small team, rotating through student groups supported by the program’s leaders. In addition, the school will offer late-afternoon and weekend activities where volunteers can experience Tanzanian culture firsthand and explore the local area. The core purpose of this program is to work as a team to help the students build confidence and fluency in spoken English and as such, during the program the focus of the volunteer team is entirely on the students and not personal travel goals. Any activities you wish to participate in that are not part of the planned program must be done prior to the planning days or after the final day of the program.

Position Details
The Spoken English Immersion Program (SEIP) at The School of St Jude in Arusha, Tanzania, is an annual initiative implemented by volunteers. The program aims to help students build fluency and enhance their pronunciation and confidence through fun, interactive lessons, each of which is designed with a variety of activities focused on developing oral English skills. Volunteers will support around 350 secondary students, mostly aged 13 and older, many of whom have recently come from government schools. The students have written English skills but limited chances to practise speaking with native speakers, so they lack confidence in their oral English. They are bright, respectful, and eager to improve, knowing that strong spoken English greatly enhances their future job prospects in Tanzania. Volunteers must commit to a teaching program for two full weeks including Saturday mornings, as well as a two-day planning and preparation program prior to the arrival of the students. Volunteers will work in a small team, rotating through student groups supported by the program’s leaders. In addition, the school will offer late-afternoon and weekend activities where volunteers can experience Tanzanian culture firsthand and explore the local area. The core purpose of this program is to work as a team to help the students build confidence and fluency in spoken English and as such, during the program the focus of the volunteer team is entirely on the students and not personal travel goals. Any activities you wish to participate in that are not part of the planned program must be done prior to the planning days or after the final day of the program.
Volunteers must be:
  • Be a native English speaker with exceptional oral and written English communication skills.
  • Be creative and able to interpret and implement a prescribed curriculum and engage students in interactive activities using a mix of dynamic teaching strategies.
  • Be a good team player who enjoys working, sharing, and collaborating with other volunteers.
  • Be flexible, creative, and resilient with the ability to change and adapt to the unexpected.
  • Be willing and able to plan, make, and bring multiple copies of each resource as needed for teaching their classes (a copy of each required resource will be provided when you receive the teaching plan).
  • Be willing to align their own behaviour and expectations with the ethos and expectations of the School of St Jude.
  • Be friendly, conversational, and outgoing with a sense of humour.
  • Have a current Working with Children Check or current teacher registration.
We are looking for applicants who
  • Are passionate about the education of young people.
  • Have prior educational experience with teenagers and young adults.
Other information to consider before applying:
  • The 2027 program will run from 17 June to 3 July 2027 INCLUSIVE. You must be able to arrive at the school NO LATER than June 16, 2027.
  • Any past or present connection to the School of St Jude is not an advantage. Selection is made by the program leaders and is completely independent of the school leadership.
  • You need to be willing and able to teach around 6 ½ hours each weekday with two short breaks and 3 ½ hours on Saturday mornings. This will require stamina and fitness to teach 12 days of 13.
  • You should be open-minded and culturally respectful (e.g., school norms and procedures, greetings, clothing)
  • Should you wish to apply as a couple, you must apply separately – please do not send a joint application.
  • If you volunteered on the 2026 SEIP, you must submit a new application addressing the selection criteria as well as your CV.
  • You must be available for a video interview if you are shortlisted.
What's Provided:
  • Free accommodation at the school
  • Airport transfers to and from either Mt Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airports
  • Three meals per day at the school for US$25/day
  • Support with planning and teaching strategies
  • An unforgettable experience with eager-to-learn students and fellow volunteers
Costs you'll need to cover:
  • Return flights to Tanzania
  • Tanzanian Business Visa (US$250)
  • Personal medical and insurance costs
  • Some optional activities provided by the school
  • Cost of materials and copying/laminating all resources as included in the curriculum you will receive

St Jude's is located in Arusha, a town that serves as the gateway to popular East African national parks and game reserves such as Ngorongoro Crater, the vast plains of Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and Arusha National Park. It is also near Mt. Kilimanjaro—the largest free-standing mountain in the world. You'll have the opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty of Africa before or after your volunteer period at the school.

How to apply:

Please apply using your personal (not work) email address by sending a cover letter that addresses the above criteria and a CV to the program leaders, Annette and Geoff Hilton, at annetteandgeoff@gmail.com. Applications without both of these documents attached will not be considered. Applications for the program open on August 3 and close on August 17, 2026. No late applications will be considered. If you have any questions, these must be sent to the program leaders, and not to the staff at the School of St Jude.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted after the closing date to arrange an interview.

How to Apply:

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Please email your CV and cover letter (briefly outlining your background and why you’re interested) to Annette and Geoff at annetteandgeoff@gmail.com by 12 September 2025. We’ll be in touch to arrange a video chat. We hope you’ll consider joining this meaningful new program and help us make it a success for years to come.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.