How to Begin Teaching in Belgium

A Food Lover's Dream - A Beer Lover's Heaven

The students are eager to learn, which makes Belgium a comfortable place to teach.

Officially known as the Kingdom of Belgium (due to its constitutional monarchy), this small country borders France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. It also makes this country a perfect place to explore the surrounding European countries. Belgium is divided into two halves: the northern part influenced by the Dutch, speaks Flemish. The southern part predominantly speaks French, and the people in this region are often referred to as Walloons. For the last couple of years, these two factions have been increasingly at odds with each other, with talk of both sides wishing to separate into two different states. Both French and Dutch are official languages of Belgium, along with German which is spoken by a small minority in the country. When deciding on where you want to live and work in Belgium, you will have to choose which culture interests you the most, and which language you would most like to learn.

The capital, Brussels, is home to many international organisations. The European Parliament, the European Union, and other multinational institutions such as NATO are all situated here. Brussels is also home to both the Horta Museum (a World Heritage site), and the Grand Place, which offer examples of ornate and exquisite architecture. Bruges, another World Heritage site, is also a splendid example of Gothic architecture. Apart from architecture, Belgium would be incomplete without mentioning the many varieties of Belgian beer and chocolate, waiting to be savoured by those who come to live here.

Teaching Opportunities

The TEFL scene, as in many European countries, is competitive. EFL jobs start mainly in September or October and again in January. Many schools in Belgium prefer that you interview in person for any vacant position. Once again, it is very difficult to find a job if you are a non-EU citizen. This means that teachers who wish to be considered for jobs in this country need to be EU citizens.

The main places to find work in Belgium are Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges. There are opportunities in language schools as well as universities. The students are eager to learn, which makes Belgium a comfortable place to teach. To obtain a job, a degree and a 120-hour TEFL certificate are essential. The cost of living is also high, and flights and accommodation are generally not included in your contract. The fact that you also need to come to Brussels to interview, or to find a job, means that you will need on average 4-6 weeks of savings, and flight money to find work here initially. Once you have found work, you will need to budget carefully to enjoy some of the luxuries that Belgium offers without being out of pocket.

Teaching Requirements

Degree Requirement	Typical Contract Length	Peak Hiring Seasons	Visa Info	Typical Students	Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency	Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency

BA/BS required

12 months

September/October and January

EU citizenship or work visa

Business professionals, children

1,500 - 2,000 EUR (1,555 - 1,670 GBP)

Degree Requirement

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length

12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons

September/October and January

Visa Info

EU citizenship or work visa

Typical Students

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency

1,500 - 2,000 EUR (1,555 - 1,670 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency

1,500 - 2,000 EUR (1,555 - 1,670 GBP)

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