Teaching in Belgium

Belgium is home to many international schools with opportunities for English speaking instructors. At the very minimum, a TEFL certificate is required to teach in Belgium, but any further qualifications such as a college or university degree are beneficial steps towards landing a job.

Salary and benefits when teaching in Belgium

Teaching in Belgium tends to be a well-paying career move. Many educators earn between $1800 and $2200 USD. This is a ballpark figure; teachers may earn more or less depending on their experience and place of employment. It is also important to note that despite bringing in a fairly high wage or salary, a teacher should also expect to be highly taxed.

The Belgian school year starts in early September. Teaching jobs become available throughout the year as well as during the summer months prior to the new school year. Be sure to check the Teach Away job board for any upcoming teaching jobs in Belgium.

Qualifications to teach Belgium

Most candidates will need a TEFL certificate in order to qualify for more competitive ESL teaching jobs. University and college degrees are also beneficial, but may not be immediately recognized by Belgian education institutions. It is recommended that you do your research and request that the appropriate Ministry of Education recognize your degree.

Visas for teachers in Belgium

Non-EU citizens require a visa to teach in Belgium. Teach Away Placement Coordinators will provide more information to successful candidates, although it is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure that all documents are submitted.

Residents of Belgium enjoy a high standard of living. The cost of living in Belgium is relatively high, so the higher teacher salary is balanced out to some extent. Housing prices are reasonably priced and in some instances significantly lower than in other major European cities.

Living in Belgium, you can expect unpredictable weather patterns inclusive of rain (in its various forms), snow, sunshine, and everything in between. Belgium’s history has resulted in a multilingual nation with Dutch, French, German, and Flemish speakers living in different regions of the small, but dense country.

When it comes to food and drink, Belgians enjoy indulging in what they are famous for; chocolate, waffles, frites, and beer.

Many private schools in Belgium require applicants to possess an OISE TEFL certificate. The University of Toronto’s OISE TEFL Online Certificate can help you become a leading candidate for some of the top Belgian private school positions.

Register for a teacher account to apply for teaching jobs in Belgium.