How to Teach English in Brazil

If you like traveling and want to experience more of Brazil than the typical tourist experience, teaching English to Brazilians may be for you. Because English has become the international language of business and tourism, English as a second language (ESL) teachers are in high demand all over Brazil. Not only is teaching ESL rewarding, it will afford you the opportunity to live like a native and get to know Brazil and its culture intimately.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Apply for a work visa. The easiest way to get one is by securing a job with a well established school beforehand and asking the school to apply for the visa. Brazil requires a work visa for all foreign nationals who plan on working in Brazil for any length of time. See the Brazilian Embassy Web site for more information.

2. Choose a city you want to live in. Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are the most popular choices, but there are many other interesting cities that may appeal to you more, so do some research.

3. Find an English school. Once you have chosen the city you want to live in, research schools located there. Most big cities have hundreds of schools to choose from.

4. Consider where you want to work. There are two main types of English schools in Brazil. The traditional chain schools compose a large national franchise with locations throughout Brazil. These schools require that you have a work visa and generally offer low pay rates.

5. The other type of English school caters to working executivos. These schools are generally small and often operate out of an office. Unlike a traditional school with classrooms, these schools send the teachers to the students. Generally, this is a less formal institution. It will not require you have a work visa and often will pay double what you would receive in a traditional school.

6. Apply to the schools online or by mail. Most places will accept electronic resumes via e-mail.

7. Make travel arrangements once you have secured a job. Some schools can help you find accommodations, possibly as a homestay with a Brazilian family or some other arrangements.

8. Don't expect to get wealty. You can make a decent living by Brazilian standards, but you will not earn extra take-home cash.

Tips & Warnings

• You don't need a degree or TESOL certificate to teach English in Brazil. Most schools will not require this of native speakers. However, for your own peace of mind you may want to take a TESOL course. You will feel prepared and be a better teacher for it.
• If you stay with a family, be respectful of their customs and any house rules. Take a gift for the family when you arrive and always do your share of cleaning.
• Study Portuguese before you go and practice it whenever you can. Only speak English in the classroom and try to speak Portuguese elsewhere.

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[daniellebrazil]

on 10/24/2008 I'm a teacher in Brazil, too. I wrote out some tips for anyone who's considering it:

http://daniellebrazil.blogspot.com/2008/10/danielles-tips-for-teaching-english-in.html

Thanks!

[kevinginbrazil]

on 6/4/2008 Really, the biggest qualification is that you are a native English speaker. I am here in Brazil teaching English, and it is a bit different than other jobs. I am here on a tourist visa an I have never had a problem. I arrived with no job and found different jobs as I went a long. I am making enough money to live in Sao Paulo comfortably. It can be tricky in the beginning, but if you are flexible then you can make it work. The experience is amazing.

I found a good website that provides some tips. The website is http://teachingenglishinbrazil.googlepages.com

You can read about two guys’ experience teaching there, and if you want more information, they created a guide in pdf format that you can buy. It helps a lot. Even if you do not want to buy the guide, their website provides a lot of good tips. Good luck to all who are interested in doing this!

-Kevin