| As the largest country in South America, | | | | a legitimate work visa. It is also extremely |
| Brazil is big on business. Their geographical | | | | expensive and complicated, and many companies |
| proximity to the United States, as well as | | | | steer clear of doing so for those reasons. |
| their trade agreement with North America, | | | | |
| makes speaking English a very important asset | | | | With that said, if you are planning on |
| for Brazilian citizens. English is taught to | | | | remaining in Brazil to teach English for an |
| all levels of Brazilian students, from | | | | extended period of time, you may be able to |
| childhood on up. Some Brazilian companies | | | | find an employer who is willing to sponsor |
| will hire English teachers to train their | | | | you. The catch is that you will probably have |
| employees to make foreign communication | | | | to pay for the process yourself. This is |
| easier. | | | | something that you should actively research |
| | | | and discuss with your employer if you're |
| With that said, Brazil is naturally a major | | | | interested in pursuing a work visa. |
| destination for those looking to teach | | | | |
| English in a foreign country. Teaching | | | | So you might be wondering how so many English |
| English in Brazil is a unique and enriching | | | | teachers manage to work in Brazil. The answer |
| experience that anyone who wishes to travel | | | | is, the majority of them are working on |
| should consider. | | | | tourist visas. Technically, it is not legal |
| | | | for a foreigner to work on a tourist visa; |
| What is required? | | | | however, chances are very slim that you will |
| | | | ever get into trouble for doing it. |
| Some countries require English teachers to be | | | | |
| certified in any number of teaching courses. | | | | Tourist visas are fairly simple to get, and |
| TEFL, TESOL, and the Cambridge CELTA are all | | | | require an application through the Brazilian |
| certifications that are often required for | | | | Consulate as well as a valid passport and |
| foreigners wishing to teach English in | | | | other documents. Tourist visas are valid for |
| another country. Brazil, however, does not | | | | three months, which means if you are working |
| consider this a prerequisite. | | | | in Brazil you will have to renew your visa at |
| | | | a Brazilian police office every three months. |
| If you do have a certification, it may very | | | | You are also not allowed to remain in Brazil |
| well help you in the classroom. But chances | | | | on a tourist visa for more than six months |
| are good that if you are hired by a Brazilian | | | | every year. |
| company or school, they will require you to | | | | |
| go through an in-house training program | | | | It is possible to get a tourist visa changed |
| regardless of whether or not you are | | | | over to a work visa, provided you can find a |
| certified to teach. | | | | sponsor. Your best bet may be to begin a job |
| | | | on a tourist visa, get comfortable with your |
| What is recommended is a BA in some subject | | | | employers, and then bring up the subject of a |
| and a working knowledge of Portuguese, the | | | | work visa after they have decided they want |
| official language of Brazil. | | | | to keep you. At that time, they may be |
| | | | willing to sponsor you. |
| What about a visa? | | | | |
| | | | It sounds like a lot of red tape, but the |
| This is where the information can get a | | | | truth is that teaching English in Brazil |
| little sketchy, and keep in mind we're not | | | | isn't as complicated as it sounds. The market |
| advocating one course of action over another. | | | | for English teachers in Brazil is booming, |
| The truth is, getting a work visa for | | | | and with that demand comes an increased |
| teaching English in Brazil is going to be | | | | possibility that you'll be able to find the |
| very, very difficult. | | | | right job for you. With thousands of English |
| | | | teachers needed all over the country, |
| The vast majority of schools in Brazil that | | | | Brazilians are for the most part eager to |
| hire English teachers are unwilling to | | | | help. Do your research and be prepared, and |
| sponsor those teachers for work visas. | | | | you're sure to have the experience of a |
| Sponsorship by an employer is required to get | | | | lifetime. |