| Country | Avg. monthly salary | Degree required | Start of term | Teaching experience | Housing & flights included | Suitable for non-native English speakers | Age restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teach in Belize | BZD 1,409-3,020 (£541 - £1,161 GBP $700 - $1,500 USD) | September | Usually preferred | Not usually | None |
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Teach English in Belize
With countless natural wonders and a population that speaks English, you’d have thought Belize might be more popular with TEFL teachers.
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With Mexico and Guatemala in touching distance, it can be easy to ignore the potential of Belize as a fascinating TEFL destination. Belize, the least populated country in Latin America, has uniquely high English standards for the region. The fact that English is the official language may help that.
Beyond the linguistic intrigue, teaching in Belize opens English teachers up to a natural wonderland. Belize offers its visitors the stunning Maya Mountains, vast forests and the breathtaking Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO Heritage Site, magnificent sights for anyone with even a passing interest in nature and ecology. From a cultural point of view, Punta rock and cumbia are infectious sounds, with dance circles sure to resolve even the most introverted English teacher’s shyness!
With a low population, English existing as the official language, and other, more well-trodden TEFL locales being within reach, it’s understandable that Belize isn’t necessarily the most popular destination in the region. However, there's a lot to like about teaching English in Belize, not least the exciting teaching jobs on offer, the positive impact you can make and the beautiful beaches!
So let’s take a look at teaching English in Belize: the teaching jobs, the highlights of Belize as a destination, salaries, the cost of living and more.
Belize: an overview
An incredibly beautiful country with a rich, varied ecology, Belize is an adventurer’s paradise. Whether it’s exploring dense jungle or scuba diving, there’s plenty for outdoors types to explore, but if you prefer cities, the likes of Belize City and San Ignacio have plenty of bars, clubs and restaurants to pique anyone’s interest.As a TEFL destination, Belize is pretty unique. Again, English is the official language in Belize, but it’s not the only one used - the country’s multilingual population widely uses a Creole patois. Local languages like Yucatec and Kekchi are used by Belize’s Mayan populations, and there are even some Plautdietsch speakers in Belize.
With English being taught across the school system, and used widely, there is some interest in bringing TEFL talent from outside the country. While there aren’t the same number of teaching opportunities as you might find in neighbouring Latin American nations like Cuba, Nicaragua or the Dominican Republic, Belize still deserves attention.
With attractions like the Belize Barrier Reef and the Caribbean Sea on the coast, Mayan ruins to explore and a low cost of living on a teacher's salary, Belize ought to interest anyone with a TEFL certification and an interest in Central American countries.
Requirements
So, what teaching requirements do you need to meet to reach a classroom in Belize? How difficult is it to teach English abroad in ‘The Jewel’?
It’s worth noting, first of all, that you can teach English as a non-native speaker in Belize. This is at the discretion of an individual employer. Usually, if you hold an IELTS or TOEFL certification, or a bachelor’s (or above) from an English-speaking institution, this will sufficiently prove English fluency to any employer.
What else do you need to find teaching jobs in Belize?
TEFL certificate
Completion of a TEFL certification course is typically required for an English teaching job in Belize. The minimum course hours you’ll need to have completed is 120 hours of training, as this is the industry standard. Your TEFL certificate needs to have been conducted by a high-quality provider, one that has been approved by several reputable accreditation bodies.
Degree/no-degree
The vast majority of teaching jobs in Belize will ask for a bachelor’s degree. In some circumstances, employers will ask specifically for a bachelor's degree in education, teaching or English. There will also be job openings where a master’s degree is required, usually in private schools (though private school jobs in Belize are scarce).
Experience
Can you teach English abroad without experience in Belize? Sure, but some prior teaching experience is usually preferred.
Visa
To get a work visa for Belize, you’ll need to receive a job offer from a Belizean employer. From there, it’s a case of filling in some application forms and providing the requisite documents to support your application. For your visa application, you’ll need:
- Completed application form
- Valid passport
- Flight information
- Employment Letter: An employment letter from your prospective employer in Belize.
- Bank statements from the last six months
- A completed application form
- Passport copies
- Eight passport-sized photos
- Police records
- Copies of your qualifications and CV
- Evidence that the job was advertised locally
- Letters of recommendation from local authorities, specifically educational authorities
- Information about your local bank account in Belize.
Overall, the process can take about 2-3 months. Your employer will need to apply for the Temporary Employment Permit (TEP) on your behalf while your work permit and visa are processed. There is an application fee of about $1,000/£774, which is usually handled by the employer.
Download our teaching English in Latin America guide
Salary, benefits and cost of living
Now we know what’s required to teach English in Belize, let’s talk about the average salaries for English teachers, the cost of living, and any kinds of benefits that might be on offer.
Salary
Teaching salaries in Belize can vary depending on where in the country you’re based, your qualifications and your level of teaching experience. The average salary for an English teacher in Belize is about BZD 1,409-3,020 ($700-$1,500/£541-£1,161) per month. You’ll find more generous salaries at international schools, though you can usually live comfortably on a typical teaching salary in Belize.
Benefits
What can English teachers in Belize expect in terms of benefits? Sometimes, though not always, teaching jobs in Belize will include accommodation. Some job offers will also include airfare, while health insurance is usually provided as standard.
Cost of living
What is the cost of living like in Belize? How comfortably can an English teacher live in a city like Belmopan, the capital city?
Let’s start with accommodation. A one-bedroom apartment in central Belmopan usually costs about $260/£202 to rent. If you’d rather live outside the city centre, rents are usually around $199/£154. Monthly utilities cost $59/£46, while internet access is about $36/£28 per month.
Belizean cuisine is definitely worth trying - so how much does it cost to try? A meal for one in an inexpensive cafe or diner normally costs $3.50/£2.70, while if you’re having a three-course meal for two in a mid-priced restaurant, expect to pay $15/£12.
Jobs
The majority of English teaching jobs in Belize are in public schools. Being a small country, and far from an international tourism hotspot, there aren’t a great deal of English private language schools in Belize. English being Belize’s national language is also a factor, so English teaching positions at universities are also quite scarce.
That said, there are a decent number of jobs available in the public sector. State schools are run by the Catholic Church and the Belizean government, while there are also some Methodist and Anglican state schools. You don’t have to be a member of a religious denomination to teach at one of these schools.
The school year starts in September and ends in June, so the best time to apply for teaching opportunities is the summer.
Generally, when you teach English in Belize, you'll be expected to coordinate extracurricular activities for students outside of teaching hours. This is particularly common in public schools, where community participation is a particular focus. At an interview, potential employers will want to know about any extracurricular activities you've organised before - possibly as much as they'll want to know about any teaching qualification or teaching experience you have!
Public schools
Public school jobs can be quite hard to find online, and though they are occasionally advertised through official government websites, they’re usually best found by applying directly to schools. Your best bet is usually finding work in person. Therefore, you’ll need to visit Belize to find and apply for jobs - see if you need a visa here - and then leave the country to apply for a work permit and employment visa if you’re successful.
The majority of schools in Belize are state-run, with private schools few and far between. In the south of Belize, where poverty rates are higher, schools tend to be less equipped, teachers are less well-trained, and drop-out rates are higher. Your expertise is probably more valuable there, but it’s certainly more of a challenge, and salaries won’t be as high.
A TEFL certification and, usually, a degree, will be enough to find public school jobs in Belize.Teach English in Belmopan
When you go to teach English in Belize, you might be confused as to why Belmopan is the capital city.
With a population close to 20,000, Belmopan isn’t an obvious choice to host the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, the University of Belize and a wealth of other vital sites. Yet, after Belize City was devastated by Hurricane Hattie in 1961, tiny Belmopan was chosen as the capital city, and it has remained so ever since.
While it doesn’t boast the same number of teaching opportunities as cities like San Ignacio or San Pedro, due mainly to the difference in population, Belmopan is still well worth considering. As the educational, judicial, political and economic hub of Belize, English is highly valued here, and it’s become increasingly popular, with more people and businesses moving to Belmopan year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much does an English teacher make in Belize?
An average English teaching salary in Belize is about BZD 1,409-3,020 ($700-$1,500/£541-£1,161) per month.
Q. What is it like living and working in Belize?
Belize is a fascinating country, with a low cost of living, incredible ecology, true enthusiasm for English and fantastic culture. From Mayan ruins to the Belize Barrier Reef and the Caribbean Sea, there are countless natural attractions for teachers in Belize to explore and a fantastic English language learning environment in the classroom!
Q. Is it possible to save as an English teacher in Belize?
Depending on the institution you work at, and your lifestyle, it’s generally possible to save money while working as an English teacher in Belize.
Q. Which country has the highest demand for English teachers?
While quantifying demand is difficult, it’s probably fair to say China, with its enormous population and desire for English education, has the highest demand for English teachers.