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Brazil is a large country so first you need to decide where you want to live and, most importantly, what kind of lifestyle you desire. I have recently returned from teaching in Rio de Janeiro for the past seven years. Rio is the home of Samba and boasts some of the best world-class beaches. Another lucrative option is São Paulo, one of the largest cities in the world.
There are jobs in other major cities, but none offer the same opportunities as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. These two cities, even though they are arch rivals, are the major economic centers and provide the best chance for you to support yourself teaching business English, which is King in Brazil. Major international companies such as Petrobras, Vale do Rio Doce, Chevron, Shell, Fresenius Medical Care, Ipiranga, and KPMG, have offices in these cities. If you want to teach in a traditional preparatory school such as The British School or The American School, then you need University teaching credentials.
But, wait a second before you pack your bags and head south. Teaching English in Brazil isn’t like working in Asia, where you receive a contract, reimbursement for travel, and room and board. In Brazil, you’re on your own. So, before you go, you’ll need a good amount of money to float yourself for a couple of months, until you get settled.
HOW TO GET A JOB
If you’re outside the country and have found a school, the first thing you need to do is send your resume. If the school is interested, they will write back and set up an interview. Once you are living in Brazil you have two options. You can email your resume to them or you can simply go to the school. Always have your resume in hand. And remember, even though Brazil is an informal country, you should show up to your interview and classes smartly dressed. You will find many schools once you are living in the country, so don’t worry about locating all the schools before moving. There is a high turnover of teachers in Brazil, so opportunities always exist.
TYPES OF SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS
English schools in Brazil range from traditional preparatory schools, business English Schools, and general English school such as CCAA, Cultura Inglesa, CNA, Fisk and Brasas. The general English schools are where most Brazilians begin. Most of the students you teach will have taken a class in one of these programs from one to ten years. So, you will be refining their communication skills and helping them develop a more sophisticated, natural English. Students range from college level to seventy-years-old.
PAY SCALE
The pay scale for the business English and general English schools ranges from 15 to 29 Reais per hour. But at most of these schools, your pay is not guaranteed. This means that if you don’t show up for work, you’ll lose money, and if a class is canceled, then you won’t get paid. Brazilian employers can be cutthroat when it comes to pay. You are unlikely to receive a contract and you only get paid for actual class time. Teachers don’t receive paid vacations. If you want a vacation, then you have to save up enough money to pay for all of your living and travel expenses for the duration. The pay for the traditional preparatory schools starts around 3,000 Reais a month with free housing. Teaching at a traditional preparatory school provides you with all the perks that come with a regular salaried teaching job.
HELPFUL ADVICE
The way to make money in Brazil is by filling up your schedule with classes as fast as possible through the different business English schools. Once you have a feel for the students, then you need to branch off and start building up your private student clientele. It’s not unusual to get an offer for private lessons after your first class. Once you receive private students, your income will rise because you can charge from 35 to 100 Reais an hour depending on the student. 50 Reais an hour seemed to be what most teachers charged, yet, as I was leaving a few month ago, I was coming across teachers that charged 60 Reais an hour.
A FEW GOOD SCHOOLS TO WORK FOR
Times, Cultura Inglesa, CCAA, Brasas, and Fink are among the leaders in the market, but it can be difficult getting work with these companies. Almost all of these schools require a work permit, or visa, and most foreigners don’t have either one. Yet, if you are a native speaker with a TESOL certificate, you’ll be surprised just how many doors will open for you. The schools you should contact are Newstart, Falaridomas, and Britannia Schools. |
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From 5 People
