Why Learn a Language?

Belize is the only English speaking country in Central America. Due to the country's colonial history, English was chosen as the language for the educational, legal and political systems of Belize. While English is the official language of Belize, Creole (Kriol) and Spanish are commonly spoken and Spanish is taught in schools to encourage bilingualism.

Although English is the official language of Belize, Creole is the language that most native Belizeans speak. Belizean Creole originated from West African slaves that were brought to the country by the British. Creole features aspects of the contact languages found in many parts of the world that were colonized by European powers. It borrows words from English, African languages, Moskito Indian, Spanish and Maya.

Spanish is also spoken in Belize. Spanish is the main language in towns that border Guatemala to the west and Mexico to the north, and it's possible to run into several other languages such as Mayan, German, Chinese, Lebanese, and Arabic.

Studying in Belize can offer the opportunity to be exposed to many languages at once. The variety of languages reflects the mixed heritage and culture of the residents. When studying at a university in Belize you can expect the classes to be conducted in English. If you are interested in learning a different language, contact your program's coordinators.

Read on AllAbroad.us – Why Study Abroad and find answers how study abroad can affect your personal growth and career path.