TEACH ENGLISH IN BRAZIL

About Teaching English in Brazil

The largest country in South America, Brazil has emerged as an international economic powerhouse, creating unprecedented demand for certified English language teachers. English teachers typically find work between March and August.

While a very limited number of English language schools interview teachers in advance over the phone, the best way to find a job is face-to-face upon arrival in Brazil. English teachers in Brazil are responsible for their own airfare and housing. Most teachers end up living in apartments recently vacated by previous teachers, and many share accommodations with coworkers.

English teachers can afford a comfortable lifestyle in Brazil. Schools typically offer 20 to 25 hours of work per week, leaving plenty of time to travel and explore. A Bachelor's degree is not required to secure a job in Brazil, it still can be strongly preferred by employers.  If you do not have a degree, you should be prepared for a more competitive job search.

English teaching jobs in Brazil are concentrated in larger cities such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Recife, Salvador, and Brasilia.

To teach English in Brazil, you will need a TEFL certificate. A 4-year college degree is not required but is strongly preferred. Native English proficiency is also expected to find a TEFL job. The average salary for an English teacher in Brazil is about $800 - $1,300 USD per month.

How to Teach English in Brazil: Requirements

TEFL Certification for Brazil

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Brazil. You do not need professional teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you do need to get hired. 

Teachers typically interview in-person in Brazil. Therefore, it is most common for students to take one of our TEFL course options listed below.

A popular option is also to take your TEFL course in Latin America: 4-Week In-Person Latin America TEFL Course.

Read more: The basic requirements for teaching English in Brazil.

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

You do not need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Brazil. However, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs. Citizenship from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa is typically preferred but not always required.

Can I Teach English in Brazil Without a Degree?

While a bachelor's degree is not required to secure a job in Brazil, it still can be strongly preferred by employers. If you do not have a degree, you should be prepared for a more competitive job search.

TEFL Jobs in Brazil

English Teaching Jobs in Brazil

The most common teach English in Brazil jobs consist of:

• Teaching adults in English language schools
• Private tutoring
• Teaching Business English to adults
• Teaching English Online

TEFL Brazil: Hiring & Visa

English teachers in Brazil can expect to find jobs during the peak hiring months of March to August. While there are some opportunities to interview in advance over the phone and via e-mail, most English teachers interview on the ground,  in-person.

ESL teachers in Brazil typically teach on a tourist visa in Brazil. In order to enter Brazil, most teachers must apply for a 90-day tourist visa through the Brazilian Consulate before arrival. Prices and documentation may vary depending on the consulate. Once you're in Brazil, you can apply for an additional 90-days on your tourist visa. 

Teaching in Brazil: Hours

English language schools in Brazil offer approximately 20 to 25 hours of classroom work per week plus additional hours for prep time. This allows for plenty of time to travel and explore. 

Teaching Brazilian Students

It is most common that your students will be adults and business professionals. 

TEFL Brazil Salary & Cost of Living

Strat-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $1,200 - $2,000 USD. These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Brazil until you receive your first paycheck and may include things like rent, apartment supplies, transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc. 

Teaching English in Brazil Salary

A solid hourly wage enables teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while in Brazil. Teachers can expect to make $800 - $1,300 USD per month. It is common for teachers in Brazil to also teach English online to supplement their income.

There are no flight or housing benefits/stipends provided so you will need to remember to account for accommodation or temporary housing for your first few weeks in your start-up costs until you find an apartment to rent. 

Read more: How much can English teachers make in Brazil?

Work in Brazil: Cost of Living & Savings

The cost of living typically ranges between $800-$1,300 USD per month.

English teachers in Brazil can expect to break even month over month. This means you can cover your rent and bills, support yourself, live comfortably, and enjoy your life abroad to the fullest, but you shouldn't expect to save money at the end of the month. If you are hustling and taking on private tutoring lessons and/or teaching English online in addition to your regular teaching schedule, you may increase your ability to save.