TEFL Course in Sao Paulo

Monthly Salary for English teachers in Brazil

By teaching English in Brazil, you can earn a monthly salary between $800 USD to $1,600 USD (that is between 3,000 – 6,000 reais), depending on your previous teaching experience and academic background.
If you also teach private lessons, you can charge from 80 – 100 reais per hour, which is around $25 USD.

The most widely used language in Brazil is Portuguese. Brazil is a growing economic power. As such, English is becoming more and more important because it allows access to the international trade community. São Paulo is, in fact, the financial heart of the entire South American continent. Full of high-risers and modern buildings, this city makes up for natural beauty through sheer modernity and opulence. Over the years, it has developed as the palpable symbol of Brazil’s rise up the economic scale. Brazil is a very exciting place to visit, and its wild beaches and beautiful forests attract a huge number of tourists each year.

American and British English in Brazil

Language schools in Brazil typically teach American English and use American teaching resources. Most culture in the form of television, music, and movies comes from North America, so students are much more accustomed to the American accent. This is why it is important, if you are not American, to slow your speech and pronounce your words clearly. Students might have a little difficulty with your accent in the beginning. Yes, some schools specifically teach British English, but American English is most predominant. Setting up a job before you arrive without any contacts can be a little difficult, but it can be done with patience and persistence.

Work Visas

Teaching on a tourist visa is not impossible but with a 6-month limit on your stay, time is short. With a tourist visa you can not get a CPF (equivalent of a social security number) which also means you can not open a bank account. This obviously forces you to work for cash, but this isn’t a major problem. Typically, Brazilian work visas are easier to get when you are working for a multinational company in Brazil, or you have found an English school willing to sponsor you.

Helpful Tips for Foreign EFL Teachers in Brazil

• Engage in learning Portuguese. The average person in Brazil doesn’t always speak English.
• Always carry your identification around. A photocopy of the passport is sufficient.
• In light of the laid-back, time-flexible way of life in Brazil, one should be prepared for slow line ups in stores, supermarkets, etc. Having a pocket phrase-book handy to study the language while waiting may help to alleviate the anxiety caused by waiting.
• Adopt an adventurous attitude and experience the cuisine, culture, and sites of Brazil.
• Consider getting an international driver’s license in your home country.
• Ensure meat is well-cooked. Vegetables should also be cooked well and fruit should be peeled.
• Tipping is common in Brazil, and much appreciated due to low wages and high unemployment. Rounding up to the nearest Real for taxi drivers and giving $R1 for each normal-sized bag for baggage carriers is standard. Sit-down restaurants generally add an automatic 10% to the bill.

Most of our students use Airbnb (visit https://www.airbnb.com) to arrange their own accommodation while taking the course. You can find housing in apartments, hostels, or single rooms at very affordable prices. The benefits of using this App is that you get to see different photos, read reviews of the place, a map to see the distance from the school, and you can talk to the owner directly.

Alternatively, we will gladly assist you set up your housing with an additional fee of $150 USD (plus the cost of the accommodation).

What is the best way to find a job after taking the TEFL course in Sao Paulo?

The best method for finding work in Brazil is to simply walk through the front door of a school and talk to someone. Make sure you’re well dressed, as Brazilians take presentation seriously, slow your speech down a little and avoid using slang or colloquial expressions. Please communicate clearly during yur job interview.

What are the usual Requirements for EFL Teachers in Brazil?

The requirements and guidelines below are listed for EFL teacher applicants to Brazil who are citizens of: United States, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. Minimum Requirements to Apply for Teaching Positions in Brazil:

• 120-Hour TESOL certificate
• Native English speaker
• Non-native English speaker with excellent English skills.

When is the best time to look for work in Brazil?

The best time to find work with schools is before the semester commences. Most  schools don’t hire teachers in the middle of the school year. For the first half of the year, late January and early February are the best times to approach schools; whilst June or early July should maximize your chances for the second semester.