Is there a more beautiful country in South America than Brazil? We struggle to think of one. Working as an English teacher here can be an amazing experience where you get paid and get to live in popular destinations like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasilia and Belo Horizonte. There is a growing demand to learn English in Brazil, and foreign teachers are really needed.
How to Apply
If you aren’t yet certified, browse TEFL courses and get your qualification to teach in Brazil.
FAQ
Monthly Salary
500 – 2,000 Brazilian Reals
Visa and Education Requirements
Most recruiters will require a TEFL certification. Being a native English speaker and holding a bachelor’s degree is also beneficial, but not essential for gaining employment.
Do I need to Speak Portuguese?
No, EFL teachers do not have to speak Portuguese, but it will help you when job hunting and also when living here. Browse language schools in Brazil for classes.
The Pros and Cons of Teaching in Brazil
Most teachers in Brazil really like the job. It’s amazing to see how the students are pleased with their progress. Students start with no knowledge whatsoever and in just one month they can follow the English-only classes without many problems. Working with a group, teaching them how to understand and using this strange language is just inspiring. Teachers generally really like the classes and students, but expect to work like crazy, for little money but whilst also learning a lot and doing a job which is really important.
There are problems, foreign language teachers are really poorly paid. Some get as little as 6 reais (“reais” is the Brazilian currency) per hour (“class hour”, which is 50 minutes). It means you might get 12 reais for each class (most classes have duration of an hour and a half). Working 21 hours inside the classroom (plus 10 or more hours preparing classes, correcting tests, and so on). You might end up with a salary of around 680 reais (around 280 dolars). Just to let you know, a cheap rent in Brazil is around 550 reais per month to put the salary into context.
Besides being absolutely poorly paid, another thing bugs some teachers is schools making teachers work like robots pumping information into the students head. It’s all about the money! If there are fewer students in a class, they just move the students to a different class, hindering both the students’ progress and the teachers’ work. It’s funny how the classes/students’ organization is made by non-teachers, who absolutely don’t understand what happens inside a classroom.