Paris may be the first choice for those seeking English teaching jobs in Europe, but Brussels offers many benefits. Firstly, there is no shortage of jobs there for good teachers. Brussels is also a small city which is easy to navigate and as the capital of Europe, its international setting makes it a great place to mix with people from all over the world. Rents are also much more affordable than in Paris.

The going wage for English language teaching in Brussels ranges from 500-900 Belgian francs (BEF) per hour (USD $13-$26). Many schools will also allow you to take reduced-rate or free language classes. Also, employers in Belgium pay once a month and most teachers are hired on a freelance basis.

The best way to go about getting a job there is not by sending a resume from abroad. If you are serious about living and working in Brussels, go there on a vacation and interview for some jobs. And do not expect to get a job before an interview, like in some places in the world. Also, buy The Bulletin, Brussels' English-language weekly magazine. These days it seems to be filled with job ads, including some for teachers. A word of warning, like elsewhere, be weary of schools with any "shady" practices. Trust your instincts and take a good look around before taking up employment at a school.

It is good practice to start out by teaching one or two classes for a school and then if you have a good feeling and have been paid for your work, accept more. Other teachers are also excellent sources for referrals. They will have already "tested" out schools so be sure to ask them about schools where they have worked.

I have had experiences with several of the language schools in Brussels, of which there are plenty, and I'd recommend a handful of them as a starting point.

On the top of my list is Eurospeak. It is a small school run by Marleen Das who is very loyal to her teachers. If you have landed a job, she will assign you a few classes. And be prepared to accept one for Saturday morning's. Once she learns about your competence and you earn a reputation for being on time, organized and effective, you should be able to gain regular work there. Also, remember that because Brussels is at the seat of the European Union, it is very transient. and thus might make for a good "short-term" spot. It also boasts the Grand' Place, a magnificent square enclosed by tall, gabled medieval buildings dripping with ornamentation. It has also been cited as one of the top five best places to live in Europe.

SOME PLACES TO START

I'd recommend the following schools in Brussels, however there are plenty of others.

Eurospeak, Rue de Stassart, 49, 1050 Brussels (011) 322-511-89-12.Contact Marlene Das. She is loyal to good teachers and will provide regular work once they have established a good track record.
Foundation 9, Avenue Louise, 428 1050 Brussels , (011) 322-640-21-92. Contact Claudine Duquesne. It is a good school, but note that they pay 45 days from the end of the month in which you taught.
May International, Rue Lebroussart, 40, 1050 Brussels: (011) 322-217-23-73. They are good for a first school and usually require two years of experience. They tend to pay a bit less than others and require a lot of paper work.
CPAB, Galerie de la Toison d'Or, Chaussee de Ixelles, 29-31, 1050 Brussels (011) 322-511-0109. They are only able to hire native speakers for certain classes.

Below are some additional schools who often seek to employ native speakers of English:
Linguarama, Rue Lincoln, 64, 1180 Brussels (011) 322-343-1456. Contact Nicky Robinson. E-mail: brussels@linguarama.com
Call International, Avenue d'Auderghem , 277, 1040 Brussels. Contact Pascale Jantcheff. E-mail: callinter@skynet.be
Brussels Language Studies (BLS), Rue du Marteau, 8, 1210 Brussels. Contact Sylvaine. They cater to school-age learners.
ELC, Rue du Champ Roi, 1040 Brussels Contact: Jean-Paul Dullers (011) 322-287-34-91.
Languages Unlimited, Chaussee de Charleroi, 77, 1060 Brussels (011) 322-534-76-84. They seem to have a lot of Asian adult learners.
LTC, Rue Willems, 14 bte 308, 1040 Brussels: (011) 322-230-98-10. Contact Michel Leclerc. They had a tendency to pay a bit slowly.
Language Workshop, Avenue A Blaivie, 4, 1950 Kraanim (011) 322-782-18-50. Exercise caution.

Wendy B. Schatzman teaches EFL in Brussels