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English Teaching Jobs in
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English Teaching Jobs in Brazil

There’s considerable demand for English teaching in Brazil – so are there great jobs on offer?

If you’re a TEFL teacher seeking unique landscapes, a party lifestyle and passionate locals in an incredibly multicultural and ecologically diverse setting, teaching English in Brazil is the choice to make.

With an audience for English learning and an economy on the rise, Brazil is well worth investigating. TEFL teachers who want to explore the vast teaching opportunities available can find rewarding teaching jobs in state schools, private schools, international schools, language schools, universities and private tutoring. With Brazil’s economic growth over recent decades and the global popularity of English being so high, there’s plenty of opportunity for any TEFL-certified teacher.

A culturally diverse and enormous country, you won’t find two cities alike in Brazil, nor two teaching jobs. With so much to explore, so many people to meet, and so much fascinating history, music, literature and nature to enjoy, Brazil is an adventurer’s dream. So, how do English teachers find work teaching in Brazil? What requirements do you need to meet to teach English in Brazil? Where can jobs be found? Let’s take a deep dive into teaching in Brazil, jobs and where to find them.

English teaching jobs in Brazil: an overview

In Brazil, English teaching jobs—especially in the bustling cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro—are highly sought-after and competitive. Typically, for senior positions, candidates for English teaching jobs need to be highly qualified and have a specialised area of experience to be considered. Having a specialty, like business English, or experience teaching young learners, can make a significant difference in securing a position in private schools or international schools.

You don’t have to be a native speaker to teach English in Brazil. Indeed, most of the English teaching talent in Brazil is local. Some schools require applicants to take a written English test when they apply for a TEFL job. In some cases, applicants will participate in group interviews, performing tasks in small groups. Unpaid training courses are also common in the hiring process for teaching jobs in Brazil.

If you’ve taught English abroad elsewhere in Latin America or other parts of South America, you won’t find significant surprises in Brazil’s educational system. Brazil’s educational infrastructure is similar to that of much of the world, with elementary/primary schools (Ensino Fundamental), high schools (Ensino Médio), and private and international schools. English lessons within these schools are common, especially in international schools. Private schools also emphasise the importance of the English language.

Overall, Brazil’s level of English language proficiency isn’t brilliant—the country is ranked 81st of 116 nations by EF’s English Proficiency Index. While enthusiasm for the English language is widespread, with about 10 million learners and counting, the facilities and standards of teaching vary by location. About 5% of the country is learning, but only 1% of Brazilians can speak English fluently. That’s where you come in, English teachers! The demand for qualified English teachers is high, and the opportunity to teach English in Brazil is vast.

Country	Avg. monthly salary	Degree required	Start of term	Teaching experience	Housing & flights included	Suitable for non-native English speakers	Age restrictions
Teach in Brazil	3,839 BRL £538 GBP $693 USD		February				None

Download our teaching English in Latin America guide

Public schools

Brazilian teachers hold most English teaching jobs in Brazilian public schools. However, state education jobs in Brazil sometimes come up, and they can offer government-provided benefits and stability, making them a desirable option for English teachers.

To be considered for these teaching jobs in Brazil, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and TEFL certification. Experience is also highly desirable for those looking to teach English in Brazil. Some proficiency in Portuguese would undoubtedly help, especially given that these jobs are usually advertised locally. You're more likely to find state school jobs if you're already job hunting in Brazil instead of looking online.

Private/international schools

If you have at least a master’s degree, considerable experience teaching English (ideally in Brazil), and impressive TEFL certification, private and international schools in Brazil are well worth considering. In Brazil, international schools are where the highest average salary and benefits can be found. Private schools are a close second regarding financial rewards, class sizes, and facilities.

Private schools will care more if you speak Portuguese fluently, as you’ll primarily teach Brazilian students. International schools, as you’d expect, cater more to pupils from around the world, and this can include students from countries where English is spoken.

Language schools

Entry requirements to teach English in Brazil’s many language schools are relatively straightforward. Additionally, with decent salaries and - sometimes - excellent benefits, language schools in Brazil are often a solid choice for any English teacher.

These schools, run as businesses, can vary in quality and facilities. They're usually more prevalent in the bustling cities of Brazil, like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, and Brasília. To work in a language school, you will need a TEFL certificate and, ideally, some experience as an English teacher. Learners will have specific learning goals, so the more tailored TEFL courses you complete, the better. Teaching English in Brazil at these language schools offers a different kind of teaching experience in South America, as you’ll meet a wide variety of learners.

Universities

With English literature and English language degree choices available, and even some universities offering courses in English, don’t rule out Brazilian universities as an option to teach English in Brazil.

You’ll need at least a master’s or even a PhD and a wealth of experience and demonstrable research experience to land a job as a course leader or lecturer at a Brazilian university. At a lower level, it’s worth looking for openings as a teaching assistant or translator. There are also many international students studying in Brazil, many of whom speak English, so if you can speak Portuguese, there are opportunities for translation work.

Private tutoring

Private tutoring is an option for teaching English in Brazil if you'd rather work one-on-one or with small groups.

Naturally, the more experience you have as an English teacher, the better. TEFL certification is a must. The more qualifications you have while teaching English abroad, the better, and that's as true of tutoring in Brazil as anywhere else. However, there’s much to be said for enthusiasm, people skills and being in the right place at the right time, too!

Skills in teaching business English and English for academic purposes will be extremely useful in Brazil's major metropolises. Students looking to boost their career prospects or their educational opportunities will most certainly seek tutoring from high-quality English teachers. Alternatively, teaching young people outside of school hours is a great route for TEFL teachers in Brazil.

How to find English Teaching jobs in Brazil

So your plan is to move to Brazil, teach English, and enjoy everything the country has to offer. With high demand for English teachers, it's surely pretty straightforward to find jobs, right? Well, here are the best ways to find opportunities to teach English in Brazil, both offline, and online.

Offline

Going offline to find English teaching jobs in Brazil is sometimes the most effective approach. A practical approach is to visit local schools and universities directly with your CV in hand. Many teachers have found work doing this, even though it sounds incredibly old-fashioned.

Building a network is crucial once you've got your work visa and started teaching in Brazil. English teacher meetups in the bigger cities in Brazil are relatively common. Making a good impression at a teacher's meetup can lead to opportunities along the way. Believe us when we tell you that word of mouth can be extremely valuable.

Online: jobs boards

As always, The TEFL Org Jobs Centre is a fantastic place to look for opportunities to teach English in Brazil, across Latin America, or even online. This platform is a valuable resource for teachers hoping to land English teaching jobs in Brazil.

Brasas has franchises in various locations around Brazil, catering to Brazilian students of all ages, including kids, teens, and adults. It offers a great opportunity for TEFL teachers aiming to secure teaching jobs in Brazil.

CalEnglish also caters to adults, kids and teenagers, offering conversation classes and one-to-one lessons. They prefer candidates from English-speaking countries like the USA or Canada. A TEFL certificate and experience with kids are preferred, while a bachelor's degree is desired. Contact them to explore opportunities for English teaching jobs in Brazil.

Linguae frequently advertises opportunities to teach English in Brazil and is always looking for talented English teachers to join its team.

New Start seeks TEFL-qualified native English speakers for teaching positions in Brazil, focusing on business professionals. They offer contracts for a minimum of five months, which is a great way to find out what it's like to teach English in Brazil. If you want to teach English in Brazil, Serious Teachers is another very useful resource for finding teaching jobs in Brazil.

Read our Brazil Country Guide for info about salaries, living costs & requirements

Guide to Teaching English in Brazil

Challenges and tips for success

Landing a teaching job in Brazil comes with its own set of challenges. First, obtaining a work visa is crucial and can be time-consuming. Asking an employer to help is common, and it’s a good idea to become as familiar as possible with your nearest embassy while you complete your application.

Adjusting to Brazilian culture and teaching methods requires patience and effort. Many teachers you’ll speak to will emphasise cultural sensitivity's importance for classroom success. The language barrier is also a challenge for teachers moving to Brazil. While some Brazilians have some level of English proficiency, even basic Portuguese skills will significantly enhance your interactions with colleagues and students. Living in shared accommodation when you first arrive is a good idea, as it can help you to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers through sheer immersion.

Engagement with other English teachers in Brazil is really important. This can be done through online message boards, social media and local meetups.

Explore job opportunities in Brazil

Internship

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English Teacher Internship

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How to get a teaching job in Brazil?

To teach English in Brazil, you’ll need at least a TEFL certificate with 120 hours of training, and some teaching experience. Degrees are desirable, but not always necessary for jobs in Brazil.

Q. Do I need to speak Portuguese to teach English in Brazil?

You won’t necessarily need to speak Portuguese to be an English teacher in Brazil, but it can certainly help.

Q. Are teachers respected in Brazil?

Just like anywhere, if you’re an English teacher who can connect with students and give effective lessons, you’ll be respected. English is highly sought-after in Brazil - only 1% of the population is fluent.

Q. Is English taught in Brazil?

Yes, English is taught in Brazil, so if you’re an English teacher you’ll find plenty of great teaching jobs in Brazil!

English Teaching Jobs inBrazil