Foreign Language Learning In Belarus: A Requirement?

Belarus, also known as White Russia, is a country with a population of around 9.5 million people. The national composition is diverse, with 83% Belarusians, 8% Russians, 3% Poles, 1% Ukrainians, and 5% other nationalities. The official languages of Belarus are Belarusian and Russian, with Russian being the most spoken language. The literacy rate in Belarus is 99.7%, indicating a strong willingness among citizens to study.

English is also taught in schools as a foreign language, and there is a growing demand for English teachers, particularly those with a TEFL certificate. Additionally, street signs are starting to be written in English, and locals are recognizing the importance of understanding this language.

For those interested in learning Russian, Belarus offers an immersive environment as it is widely spoken throughout the country. Universities and colleges in Belarus provide Russian language courses for foreign students, allowing them to learn the language while also experiencing the culture and history of the country.

Foreign language education in Belarus

Belarus has a well-regarded education system, including universities and further education institutions that attract numerous foreign students. The literacy rate of the adult population is one of the world's highest at 99.7%two official languages within the education system in Belarus: Russian and Belarusian. However, the majority of children are educated in the Russian language, and some regions have no schools that teach in Belarusian.

English is taught in schools as a foreign language, and there is a demand for teachers with TEFL certificates to teach in international and language schools. German is also taught as a foreign language.

Belarus has a three-tier education model:

• General education (including pre-school, secondary, and vocational education)
• Continuing education for children and adults
• Special needs education for people with special needs

Pre-school education is not compulsory, but around 70% of children attend kindergarten (at the ages of 3 to 5) before starting school.

Primary and secondary education is required for children from the ages of six until fifteen and lasts for 9 years. After this, students can enter a professional technical institution where they can complete their high school education and study for a professional certificate.

Completion of 11 years of school or a professional certificate allows students to enter higher educational institutions.

English as a foreign language in Belarus

English is one of the foreign languages spoken in Belarus, alongside German. Around 450,000 Belarusians can speak English freely, while German is spoken by 138,000 people.

English is taught in schools in Belarus as a foreign language, and there is a demand for English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers. ESL teachers are in high demand in language and international schools, as locals need to communicate with international companies due to the country's economy relying on refining and marketing Russia's crude.

The U.S. Embassy in Belarus offers English Language Programs, including the English Language Fellow Program, which provides trained American teachers for universities and other educational institutions. The Embassy also offers the English Language Specialist Program, which provides training for academic institutions, and the English Teaching Assistantships (ETA) Program, which invites recent graduates and young professionals to be English teaching assistants.

Belarus has a high literacy rate of 99.7%, suggesting a willingness to study among citizens. However, English is not widely spoken across the country. In the 2009 census, 72% of Belarusians reported speaking Russian at home, while only 11.9% actively used Belarusian. Additionally, there are no Belarusian-language universities in the country.

While English is not a requirement in Belarus, learning the language can be beneficial for tourists and those seeking employment in international schools or as ESL teachers.

Teaching English in Belarus

For those interested in teaching English in Belarus, a Bachelor's degree and relevant English teaching qualifications, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate, are typically required. TEFL-certified teachers can find job opportunities in popular ESL destinations such as Minsk, Vitsyebsk, Hrodna-Grodno, Mahilyow, and Homyel.

The salary for ESL teaching jobs varies depending on the school, with international schools typically offering higher salaries and benefits such as health insurance and accommodation. The cost of living in Minsk is higher than in other parts of the country, but ESL teachers generally earn enough to live comfortably.

To teach English in Belarus, a valid work visa is required. Obtaining a visa includes providing a valid passport, sufficient funds, and medical insurance.

Russian as a foreign language in Belarus

Russian is one of the two official languages of Belarus, the other being Belarusian. Russian is the de facto most widely spoken language in the country, a result of the Soviet period in its history and post-Soviet era development. It is spoken in the capital, Minsk, in region centres, and large cities. In small towns, people speak a mixture of Russian and Belarusian, called Trasyanka.

Russian is the dominant language in the media, education, and other areas of public life in Belarus. This is due to the influence of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, which led to the Russification of Belarus. After the Partitions of Poland and the destruction of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, most ethnic Belarusian lands became part of the Russian Empire. The Russian government began to arrest Belarusian officials and church leaders, replacing them with Russians. In 1772, Catherine the Great signed a decree mandating that sentences, decrees, and orders in the annexed territories be issued exclusively in Russian. This was followed by another decree in 1773, which provided for the mandatory use of Russian in the judicial system.

The Belarusian language was suppressed during this period, with Belarusian literature being burned and sacred buildings destroyed. The Russification of Belarus continued after the collapse of the Belarusian People's Republic and the creation of the USSR, with a policy of "Belarusization" being pursued. This ended with the beginning of mass repressions in the 1930s, during which most of the Belarusian intelligentsia were killed. After World War II, most educational institutions in Belarus were converted to using the Russian language.

In 1995, following a referendum, the Russian language was declared the second official language of Belarus. According to the 2009 Belarus Census, 41.5% of the population declared Russian as their mother tongue, while 53.2% declared Belarusian. However, 70.2% declared Russian as the language spoken at home.

Russian is widely spoken in Belarus, and it is important for foreigners living in or visiting the country to learn the language. There are Russian language courses available at universities and colleges in Belarus, and it is possible to learn Russian before travelling to the country. Learning Russian will make it easier to communicate with locals, navigate everyday life, and access entertainment and tourist establishments.

German as a foreign language in Belarus

German is one of the foreign languages taught in schools in Belarus, alongside English. German is spoken by 138,000 people in Belarus, according to ratable data. In 2009, a study by the Belarusian government found that 72% of Belarusians speak Russian at home, while only 11.9% actively use Belarusian. The remaining population speaks a mixture of Russian and Belarusian, known as Trasianka.

German is also one of the languages used in menus at restaurants in Belarus, alongside Russian and English. German is the language used in the country's German Flute, written by Francišak Bahuševič in 1891.

Belarusian is one of the two official languages in Belarus, the other being Russian. However, there are no universities in the country that provide education in the Belarusian language.

Foreign language requirements for teaching in Belarus

Teaching English in Belarus requires a Bachelor's degree and a relevant English teaching qualification, such as a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate. While it is not mandatory to be a native English speaker, proficiency in English, both spoken and written, is essential. Additionally, some institutions may require prior teaching experience.

TEFL Certificate

The TEFL certificate is the minimum requirement to teach English in Belarus and can be obtained through online courses or in-person training. This certification provides the necessary skills for teaching English to non-native speakers and is often the deciding factor for many schools and language centers when hiring teachers.

Other Requirements

When applying for teaching positions in Belarus, it is beneficial to have a strong command of the English language and relevant qualifications, such as a degree in education, linguistics, or English. While not always mandatory, these additional qualifications can enhance your application and increase your chances of securing a desirable role.

Furthermore, it is important to adapt to the local culture and demonstrate a genuine interest in the Belarusian education system. Respect for elders and authority figures is deeply ingrained in Belarusian culture, and this is reflected in the classroom through students' respectful behavior towards their teachers.

Salary and Benefits

Salaries for English teachers in Belarus vary depending on the type of institution and location. Public or government schools typically offer lower salaries, ranging from 800 to 1,500 BYN per month, while private language schools offer higher salaries, ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 BYN per month. International schools provide the highest salaries, ranging from 2,500 to 4,500 BYN per month, and often come with additional benefits such as accommodation and flight assistance.

Cost of Living

Belarus is known for its low cost of living, allowing teachers to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle even with modest salaries. Housing is generally the most significant expense, with rent prices varying depending on location and apartment size. Other expenses, such as utilities, internet, food, and transportation, are relatively affordable, making it possible for teachers to save money while experiencing the rich culture and history of the country.

Frequently asked questions