How to Begin Teaching in Belize

March 28, 2021
by denidimchev@webohub.com +

Belize may be a small country in Central America, but for a TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) teacher, there are many reasons to consider this beautiful country as a destination for your teaching career.

For a little bit of background Belize can be found on a map near Mexico and Guatemala. This proud country gained its independence from Britain in 1981. You will feel a warm welcome when arriving in this country as the people are renowned for their friendliness and good nature.

They live in a tropical paradise so it is really easy to see why. It is a popular location for ex-pats and there are many people who have relocated here from places like the UK, USA, Canada, and beyond.

It is no wonder that Belize is an ideal place for coming to teaching English due to its amazing cultural heritage. Outside of teaching hours, there is a multitude of things to go see and do. A special shoutout needs to go to the many Mayan ruins and ancient temples. One of the best-known places in Belize is the Lamanai ruins, here you go walk to the highest Mayan pyramids.

You can also do things like caving, snorkeling, horseback riding, the list goes on. Another extremely popular activity in Belize which is seriously good fun is ziplining over the rainforest. What’s more, Belize has over 400 tropical islands and some of the most beautiful sand beaches in the world, sounds heavenly right? Or if you are a keen fisherman, Belize is the place for you also because it has some of the best fly-fishings in the world.

If cats are your thing, and we all know they are, you simply must visit Belize. The country is home to an amazing Jaguar sanctuary. In total there are 6 different cats that are indigenous to Belize and Central America. The sanctuary goes by Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Preserve.

Teaching English In Belize

So, let’s get down to brass tacks. Teaching English in Belize what’s the deal? Well, it’s important to know firstly that the official language of the country is English but Spanish and Creole are widely spoken too. There are plenty of jobs in the many public and private schools or language schools in the country.

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The school curriculum in Belize is delivered through English which means that it is an ideal place for someone with a TEFL qualification to come to teach and develop their skills. One important thing to note that you will need a degree in order to become a teacher in Belize, this is a requirement of the government. There is also an expectation that teachers will take part in extracurricular activities further to teaching hours, but that is all part of the fun!

Some other important pieces of information that someone armed with a TEFL qualification thinking of going to teach in Belize are as follows; You will need to secure a work visa in advance of entering Belize. The average cost per living in the country is BZD 2,800 – 3,600, which converts to £950 – £1200. The average monthly salary is ZD 2 800 – BZD 3 600 (£950 – £1 200).

There you have it! Belize is truly an amazing place to go and live while teaching English as a foreign language. So why not secure your TEFL qualification and equip yourself with the tools you need to have the experience of a lifetime!