- 1). Choose a subject. The majority of Americans or other foreigners who pursue a teaching career in Brazil teach English. As native instructors of the language are a hot commodity, there are many opportunities to find employment in private language schools.
- 2). Get qualifications or experience to give you an edge. Just because you can speak English doesn't mean you will be a good teacher. While many schools prefer a native speaker, Brazilians with teacher education and English teaching experience are often more effective than a native speaker with no experience. Not everyone can teach, and Brazilians have a grammatical advantage for having been through rigorous English instruction themselves. It is therefore wise to prepare for competition by volunteering as an aide for ESL (English as a second language) or EFL (English as a foreign language) courses at a college, language institute or high school. TEFL certification can also give you an edge at the more competitive schools, though it is usually not required. Teacher requirements depend wholly on the specific school of application, the competition may be higher or lower depending on the region.
- 3). Apply to schools or programs. Do not go to Brazil until you have secured a teaching job (unless you are teaching because of special circumstances, such as moving in with your family or relocating to be with a spouse or partner). Applications can be made online through a school's specific website. Once you secure a job, you can prepare to relocate.
- 4). Apply for a working visa. To legally work in Brazil, you must have a long-term or working visa. If employed by a Brazilian school, you must obtain evidence of employment and present the documents (along with the other necessary documents for applying for a work visa) to the Brazilian Consulate or Embassy. To get into the country before obtaining a work visa, you must obtain a tourist visa.
- 5). Learn Portuguese. While you may be teaching English as a job, you are still living in a Portuguese-speaking country and must speak the language. Do not expect Brazilians to speak English. A German traveling to the United States would not expect the clerk at the corner grocery to speak German; in Brazil it is no different. Take courses or enroll in self studies before moving to Brazil, if possible. Otherwise, there are many Portuguese language courses for foreigners throughout Brazil.
- 6). Prepare for life in Brazil. By choosing to work in Brazil you are essentially choosing to be Brazilian, and you must prepare for the cultural differences. Whether your teaching goals are short-term or permanent, assimilation into the Brazilian way of life is crucial. There is no need to worry, however. As far as adopted cultures go, adopting the Brazilian way of life--the culture, food, people and rhythm--is a great, fun way to live.
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