Belgium isn’t known as a major TEFL hotspot. Being a rich western-European country, it already has a good education system with much of the population already fluent in English. That said, there are still opportunities for enterprising and experienced TEFL teachers to make a living. But how much can you earn there?
Typically, TEFL teachers in Belgium earn €1,400-2,400 ($1,500-2,500) a month. Language academies are the main employers. The best international schools pay as much as €4,000 ($4,200) a month. Private tutoring earns between €15 and €30 ($16-32) per hour.
Compared to living costs in the country, TEFL salaries are far from outstanding. But they’re enough to live on, provided you have the right qualifications and experience to get hired in the first place. Keep reading to find out your options.
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Options and earnings for TEFL teachers in Belgium
Most new and inexperienced TEFL teachers should look to language academies for work in Belgium. Those with a few years of experience and a teaching degree to their name (equivalent to the PGCE and QTS status in the UK), can consider international schools.
For everyone, private tutoring is a viable side option. But non-EU citizens looking to make a full-time deal of freelancing private classes will struggle to get a visa without official employment by a Belgian company.
| Earnings Source | Per Hour ($) | Hours Per Week | Per Month ($) | Annual Estimate ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International schools | 15-30 | 30-40 | 2,000-4,000 | 25.2K-50.4K |
| Language academies | 15-25 | 20-30 | 1,500-2,500 | 18K-30K |
| Private tutoring | 16-32 | 20-30 | 1,300-2,400 | 15.6K-31.2K |
It’s important to put these salaries into the context of living costs. As a wealthy country, monthly expenses in Belgium are typically quite high, with €1,400-2,400 ($1,500-2,500) a rough estimate.
Of course, you can cut this number down by living frugally and avoiding costly rent in major cities.
But you also have to consider tax. Personal income tax rates in Belgium are pretty high, with the lowest earners paying 25% on their income beyond a personal allowance of about €9,000. That’s a pretty big chunk of your earnings.
As a result, you’ll struggle to save large amounts in Belgium. What you’ll get in return is a high standard of living and excellent public services.
If you’re looking for employment, make sure to get applications sent off well ahead of the start of the school year in September. That’s when most new contracts being, along with the post-Christmas period.
Schools generally start at 8.00 – 8.30 am and finish at around 15.30 – 16.30 pm.
How much do TEFL teachers make in language academies in Belgium?
For most TEFL teachers looking for work in Belgium, language academies are going to be your best bet.
Pay ranges from €1,400 to €2,400 ($1,500-2,500), with a relatively light schedule. You’ll work around 20-25 teaching hours per week, and when that’s coupled with planning and prep time, it gives you an hourly rate in the region of €14-24 ($15-25).
The absolute minimum requirement for this kind of job is a 120-hour TEFL certificate. However, you might struggle to find many employers who’ll hire you at that level, so unless you have experience, a Level 5 TEFL or CELTA are going to be much more competitive.
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Berlitz is by far the biggest language academy chain in Belgium, with branches in most major cities. CLL is another big name, too. Head to this list at ESL Base to see the major companies and small businesses that operate in the country.
How much do TEFL teachers make in international schools in Belgium?
Belgium hosts the official seats of several major international organisations, notably the European Union, European Council and NATO. So you can imagine there are plenty of rich diplomats living there.
And those diplomats have children, meaning the country has plenty of prestigious international schools where experienced and qualified TEFL teachers can get work.
A strong CV is compulsory, mind. A teaching license plus a couple of years of experience behind you are required for entry-level jobs, and the top-paying schools are even more competitive.
If you do land a job at one of these schools, you can expect to earn from €2,000 up to well in excess of €4,000.
How much do TEFL teachers make from private classes in Belgium?
Private classes are always a good way to make a little cash on the side. In Belgium, you can charge €15-30 ($16-32) per hour, which is roughly the same rate you’d get working in a language academy.
However, if you can land corporate and business classes (of which there are quite a few in major cities), you can charge higher fees.
The problem with private classes, as is the case in most countries, is that they don’t allow you to get a visa. That means you can’t go full time as a freelancer. Unless you’re a citizen of the EU, employment by a Belgian country is required to gain the necessary work permits.
But even if it’s a side gig, you could take three classes a week at €15 an hour, earning you an extra €180 a month – that could make the difference between scraping by and enjoying yourself!
Conclusion
I wouldn’t recommend Belgium to TEFL teachers starting out in the industry. The high cost of living and mediocre salaries mean you’ll barely pay the bills, and it’ll be tough to find good employers to begin with.
On the other hand, If you’re experienced and qualified, and Belgium is your ideal destination, it’s definitely possible.
Once you’re there, you can enjoy the wonderful and unique culture on offer, from beer and waffles to awesome folk music and an array of different art styles. Oh, and don’t forget the chocolate!
Why not head over to my resource: How Much Do TEFL & TESL Teachers Make? Countries compared to see what countries around the world can offer?
