TEACH ENGLISH IN BELGIUM

About Teaching English in Belgium

As host to major international bodies like the European Union & NATO, Belgium certainly has a high need for English language instructors. That said, Belgium’s ESL job market can be a more challenging one for non-EU citizens to break into. Schools seek to hire those with TEFL certification and are more likely to hire non-EU citizens who already hold residency or enjoy working privileges (including those on a student visa), or those with more experience in the teaching field.  

English teachers in Belgium typically find work towards the beginning of September, and then again in January. Most contracts end in late June.  English teachers will be expected to interview in person once they arrive, and they will also be responsible for their airfare, as well as housing.  Many teachers share an apartment with other English teachers. 

Schools typically offer around 20-25 hours per week of work, leaving you plenty of opportunities to travel and explore.  English teachers need to have a BA to teach in Belgium, as well as a TEFL certification. Major cities for English teaching jobs include Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges.

To teach English in Belgium, you will need a TEFL certificate. A 4-year college degree is typically required. EU citizenship or a work visa and native English proficiency are expected to find a TEFL job. The average salary for an English teacher in Belgium is about $1,500 - $2,000 USD per month.

How to Become an English Teacher in Belgium: Requirements

TEFL Certification

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Belgium. You do not need professional teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you do need to get hired. 

Teachers typically interview for jobs in-person in Belgium. Therefore, it is most common for students to take one of our TEFL course options listed below.

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

You do not need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Belgium, however, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs.  

Degree Requirements

A bachelor's degree is typically required to teach English in Belgium. Please note, your bachelor's degree does not need to be in education, it can be in any field.

TEFL Jobs in Belgium

English Teaching Jobs in Belgium

The most common teaching jobs in Belgium consist of:

• Teaching adults in foreign language schools.
• Teaching Business English to adults.
• Private one-on-one tutoring.
• Teaching English Online.

TEFL Jobs Belgium: Hiring & Visa

Belgium represents a more challenging job market for any teacher who does not already have citizenship from a qualified European Union (EU) nation or working rights in Belgium. If you are an EU Citizen you can work freely in Belgium without the need for a Belgian work permit. We highly suggest to not count on getting a legal work permit to teach in Belgium if you are not an EU citizen. 

English teachers in Belgium can expect to find jobs during the peak hiring months of September and January with an expected downtime in August and from Christmas through the second week of January. Most interviews are conducted face-to-face, meaning you will need to be in Belgium to interview for your teaching job.

TEFL Belgium: Hours

Language schools in Belgium offer approximately 20 to 30 hours of classroom work per week plus additional hours for prep time. This allows for plenty of time to travel and explore. 

Teaching Belgian Students

It is most common that your students will be adult business professionals.  

TEFL Belgium Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $2,250 - $3,000 USD (2,000 – 2,800 Euro). These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Belgium until you receive your first paycheck and may include things like rent, apartment supplies, transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc. 

English Teacher Salary in Belgium

A solid salary enables teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while in Belgium. Teachers can expect to make $1,500 - $2,000 USD per month (1,300 - 1,800 Euro).

There are no flight or housing benefits/stipends provided so you will need to remember to account for accommodation or temporary housing for your first few weeks in your start-up costs until you find an apartment to rent.

Cost of Living & Savings

The average monthly cost of living ranges from around $1,500 - $2,000 USD per month (1,300 - 1,800 Euro).

English teachers in Belgium can expect to break even month over month. This means you can cover your rent and bills, support yourself, live comfortably, and enjoy your life abroad to the fullest, but you should not expect to save money at the end of the month. If you are hustling and taking on private tutoring lessons and/or teaching English online in addition to your regular teaching schedule, you may increase your ability to save.