Belgium

Each country has its own requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Belgium. Education You will need to possess a bachelor’s degree in any subject in order to teach in Belgium. Keep in mind, however, that if you bear a degree from a college or university outside of the European Union, your degree might not be recognized in Belgium. Belgium is divided into three regions with separate regional governments (there’s Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels Capital Region), so you’ll want to do your research to make sure your college degree(s) are recognized by the Ministry of Education in your region of choice. Citizenship Citizenship requirements for teaching positions in Belgium vary depending on your school or program type. Most private language schools and international schools will only hire foreign teachers who are citizens of the European Union or Switzerland, or who are already able to work legally in Belgium on a cohabitation visa, working holiday visa (this visa type is available to teachers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan), or student visa. Citizens of the United States have the opportunity to teach in Belgiu…

There is considerable demand for English language instruction in Belgium, but if you don’t have EU or Swiss citizenship, possess Belgian residency, or already have working privileges in the country, it can be extraordinarily tough to break into the teaching market. Those able to work legally in Belgium will be able to find positions instructing learners of all ages, from children to teens and adults. Many Belgians seek out English language learning opportunities for academic purposes, to advance their career goals, and to communicate with English-speaking business partners. English teaching jobs can be found throughout Belgium, though more densely-populated cities like Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges hold the most opportunity and biggest markets for prospective ESL teachers. The majority of foreign English instructors in Belgium teach at private language schools and/or work online or in-person as private tutors. Qualified English instructors can apply to teach English with the government-run Fulbright program, and instructors bearing a teaching license or master’s degree will also be able to secure positions in international schools. Each of these job types comes with their own specific set of advantages, so you’ll want to understand the basic differences between them before you begin applying. Private Language Schools Private language schools are privately-run and typically for-profit language training centers that can cater to students of all ages, backgrounds, and a…

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you, it’s time to begin the application process! There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in Belgium, and we have them all outlined below. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa may overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Belgium Timeline , as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on top of your visa documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. To take a deeper dive into international resumes and cover letters, visit the Resume and Cover Letter section! Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your draft to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Step 2: Determine Your Preferences A major part of the teaching abroad experience is enjoying where you’ll actually be living! Do you have a preference when it comes to your daily routines and surroundings? Do you want to live in the dynamic capital city of Brussels? Or do you crave a picturesque, fairy-tale backdr…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Belgium and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Belgium is 1,300 to 1,800 EUR per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like you’ll be in a rural location with a low cost of living or working longer than average hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Teaching English in Belgium can be a part-time or full-time gig. However, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week (typically 20-30 hours) to consider. Will you have to work in the morning for a few hours and then come back for more in the evening? Does your school require that you show up an hour …

While it’s sometimes possible for foreign English teachers who are not citizens of the European Union or Switzerland to break into the Belgian teaching market, it can be extremely tough. The main reason? It’s pricey, complicated, and time-consuming to sponsor a foreign teacher’s visa and work permit, so many Belgian employers prefer to cut costs by hiring English teachers who are already able to work legally in the country without a work permit — namely, EU citizens and local Belgian teachers. However, if you are not a member of the EU but are looking to teach in Belgium, fear not! You still have options. Below, we’ll outline four potential visa routes for foreign English teachers in Belgium, and then dive into a deeper look at the required documents for a work permit there. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Belgian consulate or embassy to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Visa Types Work Permit (B) What is it? This Belgian work permit is issued to foreigners who have accepted a job offer and signed a fixed-term contract with a Belgian employer willing to sponsor their permit costs and apply for the permit on their behalf. It can be extremely difficult for foreign teachers to obtain this work permit, as employers will have to provide a labor market test that confirms the position can’t be filled by a citizen of Belgium or the E…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. All foreigners who begin full-time work in Belgium are required to register for the state health insurance scheme or purchase their own private health insurance plan. If you’re coming to Belgium on a student visa and you’re from the European Union, you’ll typically be able to receive coverage in Belgium with the state health insurance of your home country. Students coming to work in Belgium from outside of the European Union will generally have to purchase their own private health insurance plan to cover them in Belgium. With so many insurance options to choose from, picking out a good provi…

You have finally made it to the end of the Belgium section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Belgium. This timeline is not only for the planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Belgium to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job in Advance Teachers who need a work permit to work in Belgium should try to find a job in advance of arriving in the country. Teachers from the European Union or Switzerland, or instructors who plan to teach in Belgium on a student visa, working holiday visa, or cohabitation visa do not need to apply to positions in advance of arriving in the country, but they are welcome to submit applications in advance if they wish. Use this timeline to nail down your plan of attack, and remember that the peak hiring months for English teaching jobs in Belgium are September and late January, whereas August and late December to mid-January are traditionally slow hiring times. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. Teachers planning to apply to the Fulbright program should consult the program’s website for an official timeline and application deadlines. 6 months before depart…

Belgium is known for its beer, chocolates, and waffles... and I have had my fair share of all of them! I recommend teaching in Belgium but living in Brussels or Ghent. Brugge is a beautiful city but not very 'young'. There are also more expats in Brussels and Gent, giving you more opportunities to meet people and join social groups. Leigh H. Brussels, Belgium Food is amazing! There are markets everywhere with every possible kind of food that is pretty affordable compared the restaurants, which can get pricey fast. Haven't traveled very much beyond Brussels because we are living on a student budget, but there is plenty to do in Brussels to keep us occupied. We live in Boitsfort right near a huge forest with lots of trails. If you like living more urban, there are plenty of places in the different communes that would make a good fit. If you like nature, I highly recommend Boitsfort, Auderghem, or Uccle. Marieke L. Brussels, Belgium