Teach English in Brazil

Carnaval, tango, salsa, beaches, jungle: it is all there for people who want to teach English in Brazil. Brazil is the iconic brand of South America. Get ready for the Olympics!

Formalities

It is rare to be able to obtain legal working papers as an English teacher in Brazil.  The great majority of teachers work on a tourist visa. This is technically illegal, but pretty much ignored by the authorities.  The tourist visa is for 90 days and can be renewed by leaving the country and reentering or by paying a fee at the Federal Police.  Education visas are available for people studying Portuguese and this visa will allow you to teach a specific number of hours per week.

Teaching Jobs

Demand is strong, but the Rio jobs market can be quite competitive as that is were everyone goes.  Other major cities tend to offer more opportunity.  Recife and Salvador are good alternatives to Rio or Sao Paulo.

Business English is predominant in the EFL market for Brazil. This can mean teaching at the language institute or traveling about the area to companies to teach on their site.  Business English can also mean early morning, late evening or even an occasional Saturday class.  Teaching business English usually pays better than generic English classes and you can get a jump on the competition by getting a business English certification.

Hiring Season

You’ll have better luck with a job search in middle to late winter (July-August) and after Carnaval in late February and early March (the best time).

What Schools Provide

Some teaching jobs are paid by the classroom hour and can be upwards of US$10-15 an hour.  Private tutoring can be found for US$20 an hour.  Salaried jobs, when they can be had are usually in the US$1200-$1500+ per month range.  This all varies by city, school and your qualifications.  Accommodation is not usually paid and other benefits are not usually offered.  A few schools will offer assistance finding accommodation and/or Portuguese lessons.

What is Expected of You

A bachelor’s degree is preferred, but not always required. Teaching experience and a TEFL certification are preferred.  A specialty in teaching business English can be a real advantage in a competitive environment like Rio and Sao Paulo.  Since business English classes are so popular, previous experience in the business world is valuable.  Away from Rio and Sao Paulo, schools are more flexible about their requirements.

 

 

Teach English in Brazil