Country Profiles
Travel and Teach in Brazil
Brazil, the largest country in South America, is well-known for its sensational nightlife and dazzling Carnival. During your visit, explore some of the best beaches in South America in a country whose coastline seems endless. Those craving adventure will be gratified by its many opportunities for trekking in the steamy jungles of the imposing Amazon, or kayaking and snorkeling amongst its opulent tropical islands and lush waters. Deep jungle exploration will give you a sense of the immensity of the country. Excursions to the Minas do Ouro Gold Mine, Copacabana Beach, Igreja Sao Francisco, the Meeting of the Rivers, and the Quilombo Valley capture the unique personality of the country. The people of Brazil are charming, the food delectable: it comes as no surprise then that travellers believe there is no better place on earth.
Prospects for Teachers
There is an abundance of teaching opportunities for English language teachers in Brazil. Job-hunting in the majority of cities and towns usually leads to employment. Hundreds of jobs exist in private language institutes for teachers of young learners, young adults and business professionals. That being said, work visas are extremely difficult to come by. Most English language teachers presently working in Brazil do so through university internship programs, cultural visas, or enter the country on a tourist visa, apply for an extension when it expires and do visa runs to the nearby Paraguayan boarder. Cultural visas are typically valid for 12 months with the possibility of extension up to an additional 12 more months. These visas seem to be one of the least bureaucratic to obtain. Whichever means teachers use to work in Brazil, those who do generally have wonderful teaching experiences.
Conditions of Work
| Requirements | Work visas for English teachers are very difficult to come by. Teachers with specialized expertise can sometimes obtain a visa. For everyone else, going to Brazil on a tourist visa and working illegally seems to be the most shared option. |
|---|---|
| Peak Hiring Season | January |
| Contract Length | Typically 12 months but shorter contracts of 5-6 months can sometimes be available |
| Teaching Hours | Full-time teachers can usually be expected to teach 25-30 hours a week |
| *Monthly Salary | From 1,500 to 3,000+ Brazilian reais per month depending on qualifications, experience and location |
| Saving Potential | Depending on spending habits, how much overtime has been worked, and if private tutoring has been undertaken, teachers can save anywhere from $200 to $400+ per month. |
| Airfare | Not usually provided by the employer |
| Accommodation | Employer assisted |
| Health Insurance | Typically provided by the employer |
| Work Visas | Sometimes employer assisted |
Are you teaching and living in Brazil? Do you have any information you'd like to share with us? Please send us an e-mail at info@travel-teach.com. We'd love to hear from you!
*Please note: wages may vary according to the fluctuation in exchange rates. For this reason, teachers should regularly monitor exchange rates, convert their foreign income into the currency of their home country, and have it transferred to their local bank accounts on a regular basis.
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