English Teaching Jobs in
Brazil

Requirements  

So what requirements do you need to meet to teach English in Brazil?

To teach English in Brazil, a TEFL certificate is essential. You’ll need a TEFL certification on your CV with at least 120 hours of study, as this is the industry standard worldwide. Having advanced TEFL certification on your CV can be a significant help, especially for private tutoring.

While a bachelor's degree is not mandatory, it is highly preferred by employers in Brazil. For senior positions, especially in esteemed institutions like international schools and universities, you’ll typically need at least a master’s degree.

Non-native English speakers from outside of Brazil will usually be considered for English teaching jobs if they can demonstrate fluency. As always, the likes of IELTS or TOEFL qualifications really help - having experience with these certificates is useful for exam preparation. As evidenced by the number of English teachers from Brazil, you don't have to be a native English speaker to teach English in Brazil.

When you're looking for teaching jobs in Brazil, you'll usually find teaching experience is desired, but it's not always essential to give English language lessons in Sao Paolo, Belo Horizonte or anywhere else in the country. Ultimately, it depends on the employer.

Finally, if you can start learning Portuguese before you head over to find jobs in Brazil, you'll find it helps. While English teaching jobs in Brazil aren't usually incumbent on your abilities in Portuguese, it can only help to speak the local language. You'll find TEFL jobs easier if you can read job adverts locally, and when it comes to teaching English generally, it's always handy to be able to speak a learner's native language.

Salary and benefits 

What’s the average salary for an English teacher in Brazil? TEFL teachers can earn a salary of R$4,403-R$11,009 (£607-£1,517/US$800-$2,000) per month with full-time jobs at language schools. Tutoring rates are about £11-£19/US$15-$25 per hour, although an English teacher with considerable experience, advanced TEFL certification and other relevant certificates can charge more. The average salary for English teaching jobs tends to be higher in bigger cities like Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro or Brasilia.

In terms of benefits, perks like accommodation and free wifi aren’t limited to international schools and private institutions, meaning you can save money on amenities even if you aren't an English teacher at an elite school. Even language schools will sometimes offer a living space on-site, as well as performance bonuses and public holidays. Of course, elite institutions across Brazil will have the most comprehensive benefits packages and the highest salaries.

Living and working in Brazil

So when you’re teaching English in Brazil, how much does it actually cost to live in one of the big cities, like Rio de Janeiro? Does the salary awarded to teach English in Brazil contrast well with the cost of living?

Looking at Rio, it’s important to consider accommodation first of all. If your job doesn’t include an apartment or even a room in shared accommodation, you’ll need to rent somewhere. A one-bedroom apartment in central Rio de Janeiro costs about £333/$440 per month. Venture outside of the city centre a little, and you can expect to spend about £228/$301 per month on a one-bedroom apartment.

Utilities, meanwhile, usually cost about £76/$100, while internet access in Brazil comes to around £16/$21, depending on your provider. As for dining out in Brazil? A three-course meal for two in a mid-priced restaurant will set you back around £27/$36.