Brazil

As Latin America’s largest country and the fifth largest nation in the world, Brazil is a force to be reckoned with. Brimming with 15 to 20 percent of the world’s biodiversity, Brazil is home to hundreds of thousands of animal and plant species, extensive mangroves, major coral reefs, vast grasslands, and — in case you’ve forgotten — the Amazon Rainforest, the world’s largest jungle. The Federative Republic of Brazil, as it’s known officially, is also a formidable economic powerhouse and at the forefront of many major global industries like mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. History & Culture Of course, Brazil is much more than its wildlife and economy. The country is renowned worldwide for its vibrant culture: there’s the nonstop party of Carnival, for instance, a national obsession with soccer, and delicious traditional cuisine that’s heady with oil, cassava, and sofrito. Like any country, Brazil also grapples with its own set of problems, which in recent years have revolved around extreme social inequalities, deforestation and land degradation, and at times a rocky financial and political scene. Despite it all, no matter where you are in Brazil you’re sure to become smitten with the nation’s multidimensional character, customs, and traditions. As the country’s tourism slogan so succinctly summarizes: “Brazil. Visit and love us.” Prior to the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, Brazil was inhabited for thousands of years by millions of indigenous farmers, f…

Each country has its own unique requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Brazil. Education A bachelor’s degree is not required to teach in Brazil, but it is preferred by employers. Those who do not have a bachelor’s degree will still have options to teach in Brazil. Citizenship There are no specific citizenship requirements to teach English in Brazil, though some employers might prefer to hire citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa; and especially those already have the legal right to work in Brazil. English Fluency If you are not a citizen of one of the above countries, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs. Background Check A clean background check is not necessary to teach in Brazil on a tourist visa. However, on the extraordinarily slim chance you have landed employment with a school willing to sponsor your work permit, you will need to have a clean federally-issued criminal record check in order to apply for your work visa. Keep in mind though that this is very uncommon in Brazil. Medical Check A medical …

Brazil presents a booming market for English teachers. In the past decade, the Brazilian government has launched a number of nationwide programs aimed at increasing its populace’s proficiency in the English language. In 2012, the government introduced “English Without Borders,” an initiative designed to advance English language learning opportunities in schools across the country. Just a few years later, Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism and its Ministry of Education jointly debuted Pronatec Turismo, an English language learning program meant to prepare the country for the influx of English-speaking tourists anticipated to arrive for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. The program ended up lasting long after the soccer tournament and into 2016, providing hundreds of Brazilians workers with free English classes. Thus, the demand to learn English in Brazil is present and growing. As a major player not only in the Latin American economy but in the global economy at large, Brazil has no shortage of eager English students. Many Brazilians seek out English language learning opportunities to compete in the country’s quickly-growing tourism sector, as well as its English-centric advertising, film, and business industries. Most TEFL-certified English teachers will find jobs at private language schools in Brazil, and many also secure positions as private English teachers or tutors. Teaching at an international school in Brazil is also a possibility, though you’ll need to hold the pro…

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you, it’s time to begin the application process! There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in Brazil, and we have them all outlined below. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa may overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Brazil Timeline , as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on top of your visa documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your draft to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Step 2: Determine Your Preferences A major part of the teaching abroad experience is enjoying where you’ll actually be living! Do you have a preference when it comes to daily living? Do you want to live by the beach in Busan, near the mountains in Daegu, or do you want to be in the middle of all of the action and nightlife of Seoul? Do you value having greater access to specific types of community more commonly found in ci…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Brazil and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one, or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Brazil is 3,000 to 4,800 BRL per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like you’ll be in a rural location with a low cost of living or working longer than average hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours As ITA graduate Rory O. notes, teaching English in Brazil is a “hustle” — it can be a part-time or full-time gig, depending on how much you want to work and earn each month. In general, most teachers work around 20-25 hours per week in Brazil, but there’s more than just your total number of working hours to consider. Will you have to…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this process like a pro. Below, we’ll outline the most common visa routes for foreign English teachers in Brazil, and then dive into a deeper look at the required documents for a tourist there. All-star ITA graduate Amanda M. taught in Rio de Janeiro, and summarizes their experience with Brazilian visas as follows: “All of my friends have different ways of dealing with the visa issue. The schools you work for won’t typically sponsor you for a work visa. A lot of people enroll in Portuguese classes at the university to get a student visa. Others are planning to extend their tourist visa as much as they can then stay in the country illegally. The schools don’t ask about your visa situation, so you could continue to work as a teacher. But eventually you’ll have to pay a fine when you leave the country, and you won’t be able to return for an extended period of time.” As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Brazilian consulate or embassy to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Visa Types Tourist Visa What is it? Many English teachers in Brazil are hired by an employer “under the table” on a tourist visa. Though this might sound like a slightly questionable practice if you’re unfamiliar w…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. Brazil’s public healthcare system is universal and free for residents, but tourists are only allowed to utilize it in the case of emergencies. Thus, you’ll likely want to look into private health insurance options before traveling to Brazil, and do your own research in order to determine which health insurance plan abroad might be the best fit for you, your health needs, and any dependents you might be bringing along. With so many insurance options to choose from, picking out a good provider can be daunting for some teachers. One easy hack? Check out this article about insurance options abroad,…

You have finally made it to the end of the Brazil section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Brazil. This timeline is not only for the planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Brazil to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Use these timelines to nail down your plan of attack, and remember that the peak hiring seasons for English teachers in Brazil are February through March and July through August. Avoid applying to jobs in Brazil in late December to late February, as most schools will be closed for the holidays and Brazil’s Carnival. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. Finding a Job in Advance Please keep in mind that it can be tricky to secure a position in Brazil in advance of arriving in the country. Many Brazilian employers won’t want to sponsor a foreign teacher’s costly work permit, so it’s much more common for English teachers to secure employment on the ground on a tourist visa. Nonetheless, it never hurts to try to land a position from your home country! 5-6 months before departure: Begin your research ___ List out your preferences and priorities. ___ Chat with ITA alumni , watch alumni videos and read about alumni experiences in Brazil…

I worked for a school that offered me close to 20 hours a week to begin, eventually I was working close to 45 hours a week with private lessons and in the classroom. The pay was great, I was able to survive and do everything I wanted to do, but saving was difficult. You make enough money to live and enjoy your stay. I would not recommend trying to save because you will miss out on the fun activities in Brazil. I worked for a private English Institution, that taught all ages and businesses as well. Ben P. Sao Paulo, Brazil In Brazil, they only give work visas to "professional" jobs such as engineers, business workers, University Professors, etc. But working under the table is easy. A lot of schools love having native speakers. It's also easy to establish yourself as a private teacher. If you're planning to teach in Brazil, don't be afraid to go there without a guaranteed job. It never hurts to make contact with school before you go, but schools here are likely going to want to meet you face-to-face before they hire you. Chad K. Sao Joao del Rei, Brazil I work for two schools and have a handful of private classes. I work about 18 hours a week & make roughly $1,000 -$1,500 a month, which isn't very much because Rio is an expensive city. I don't have to pay rent, so I can save a little bit of money each month. But rent can be pretty expensive, and with other living costs, you won't be able to save much money at all. However, in Rio, you can work as much as you want. If you really…