Hi fellow TEFLers, (is there a name for a collection of TEFL teachers??)

I decided to take the plunge and move to Brazil so have been living here (there?) since late November 2009. Took the online TEFL course (plus all the specialist certificates) before I left, and have now bought a house and am settling down to the great life in a quiet part of Bahia province. Unfortunately "quiet" means that there is not much scope for English teaching, but I am helping out at a small local charity and so far have helped teaching Maths, Portuguese, History and Geography (all in Portuguese!). Not quite what I expected, but am thoroughly enjoying life.

Anyone else living here who would like to share experiences? I chose this part of Bahia for the tranquillity and security - a city of 10000 with virtually no crime, and no need to barricade the doors and watch your back the whole time.

A very Happy New Year to everyone.

David (already feel like a Bahiano!)

Hi my name is paul im moving to manaus in april. Im doing the tefl course myself and i hope to get a job when i get there just haveing a problem with module 4 the project ah well any advice would be nice. By the way im irish.

Hi Paul, still not doing any teaching, but enjoying life here. Not sure if you have any experience of Brazil but don't expect things to get done quickly! They get done, but in their own sweet time. Shopping is limited where I am too (out in the back of beyond!) but you can get just about all you need. Internet is a major issue - great in the big cities (don't know if Manaus counts?? All I know, I think, is that it is halfway up the Amazon??? Really want to go up there before there is no jungle left.) but terrible away from the major conurbations - other than that I am finding the cost of living very cheap, and with no rent to pay as I bought life is great!

If you need advice on the course the forum in here is a great place to start, or just quiz your tutor, they are usually a helpful bunch.

No need to apologise for being Irish (just kidding!) Brazil is one of the most multi-cultural countries I have ever lived in and they are very accepting of foreigners - even the Irish, I guess! Living in a small community I am starting to be recognised as a "resident" (though still not got myy visa!), and really feel at home here now.

Best of luck with the course, and when you get here.

Regards,

David.

Greetings all, glad to hear your settling in well and enjoying life David! I am looking to head to Brazil starting with Rio in around a 4-6weeks time! looking forward to it a lot and the exciting opportunities that lay ahead. Will gladly share some experiences when I am over there! Hope all is great! have fun. Hickey

Well i just got my first teaching job here in manaus, I passed my TEFL course and i am working for yazigi. I hope you are doing well and have sorted your visa out.

Hi, I’m new to all this so please bare with me! My husband is in love with Brazil after living there for a year, and now wants to de-cap permanently. As I can only say 'beer' and 'potatoes' in Portuguese, I fear the worse. I have just started my TEFL course (today in fact) and I was wondering on other people’s experiences of finding work in Brazil.

Cheers

Helen

Hi Helen, good way is to look at various websites that are recruitment agencies simply hired has one in Brazil in Parana state a few months ago had six teaching jobs . that's why I want advice also. I lived with my fiancé for over a year in Guarapuava. will help anyway can Bianca is still there for six months then coming to England for perhaps couple of years then back to brazil

Hi all! I have only just joined up to this but i am about to start a TEFL course and would really like to teach in South America as i have always wanted to go there. I am nervous and excited about my future opportunites and challenges. I am only 18 but i really want to make a go of this and really find my feet. Any advice or information would be really appreciated!!

Hi everyone!

I was wondering if any of you can help me! I'm Portuguese and speak the language, but have lived in England all my life! I'm thinking of doing the TEFL course and move to Brasil, as it's been a life long dream! I've been to Brazil 7 times now, and was there for 5 months once! But from what I've been informed it's very difficult to get a visa there!

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thnk you in advance

Hey all

Planning on moving to Brasil in September. Have been there 5 times and love it!! Hoping to get a job teaching english. About half way through the online part now. Will be living in Sao Paulo state (about 6 hours from the city) so if anyone has any info about work it would be much appreciated :D

Tchau!!

Hey, loving how many people have realised how great Brasil is! I fell in love with the country in 2009 when my now husband took me to his home town of Itaipu, we are going to move there next year and my plan for now is to do the TEFL course to try teach when I'm there. Any tips on which course to do, I'm confussed about which one would be best for me? Gunner, what course did you do? We have apartments in Niteroi so if anyone is looking for somewhere to rent check out our site www.surftriptobrazil.com or call us on 00353 894369593.

Hi i was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. I am thinking of going to Brazil with my girlfriend when she goes back home, however it seems particularly tricky to get a visa other then a tourist visa. I would obviously want to get a teaching job over there and just wondered if anyone could advise me on the route to take.

I'm in the same situation as Elkist, I'm moving to Brazil in January next year because my partner will be there and I'm planning to go there on a tourist visa and see if I can get a job (first illegally and then try to get a work visa from there).... It's a pretty big risk though. Wondering if anyone else is in the same situation as us or has gotten around the illegalness of teaching in Brazil. :)

Even a reassurance that when you get there on a tourist visa someone will be willing to sponsor you for a work visa...lol. As you say it is a big risk...Has anyone actually gone there on a tourist visa and got a job then work visa? Some advice would be very useful right now! :P

The three most common (easiest?) routes to getting residence are:

1. Marry a Brazilian (though the Fed Police do come round to check it is a genuine union and not just a "marriage of convenience")

2. Have a child with a Brazilian - though you will be paying maintenance for years to come!

3. Come in as a tourist - disappear and stay illegally (many follow this route, but obvious set-back is that if you need to leave the country they discover your illegal status, fine you - not that much - and you have to stay away 6 months), and then wait for an amnesty, which happens every 2-3 years and they give you permanent residence. Iam not condoning this one, especially as I did everything by the book and got a volunteer visa (2 years maximum), and at the end of this I have to leave!

I guess there must be those who come as tourists and find permanent work, but I think that you still have to leave the country to come back in and "activate" the work visa (just pop over the border at Iguacu Falls into Argentina!)

The three most common (easiest?) routes to getting residence are:

1. Marry a Brazilian (though the Fed Police do come round to check it is a genuine union and not just a "marriage of convenience")

2. Have a child with a Brazilian - though you will be paying maintenance for years to come!

3. Come in as a tourist - disappear and stay illegally (many follow this route, but obvious set-back is that if you need to leave the country they discover your illegal status, fine you - not that much - and you have to stay away 6 months), and then wait for an amnesty, which happens every 2-3 years and they give you permanent residence. Iam not condoning this one, especially as I did everything by the book and got a volunteer visa (2 years maximum), and at the end of this I have to leave!

I guess there must be those who come as tourists and find permanent work, but I think that you still have to leave the country to come back in and "activate" the work visa (just pop over the border at Iguacu Falls into Argentina!)

Cheers for the info. I dont suppose you know or anyone here knows someone who actually went on tourist visa and got sponsorship? I am not overly keen about the whole disapearing and working on tourist visa indefinitely. Not fun wondering whether or not you will be getting caught and kicked out :P

Thanks for the info! The thought of being deported is pretty scary... Apparently people work on a tourist visa and skip the border every 3 months to renew it again, and not really skipping that far to marry my partner just yet haha! 

Although, my partner is Brazilian and she says it should be fairly easy to get a teaching job as long as you're well qualified (e.g. TEFL certificate, college degree) and they will be able to sponsor you, perhaps if you pay for the work visa out of your own pocket. 

Does anyone know if you can go to Brazil on a tourist visa, then change it to a work visa while you're out there?! Or would you have to leave the country and then go back? :)

Hi everyone!

In order to try to help you guys, I`ve looked for some visa info ìn the official site and I`ve found that it is not possible to  get your visa changed here in Brazil. I suggest you to look for a job in the internet, eg: there are many English courses here so get in touch with them. It`s possible that some of them might be interested in hiring native teachers. Another possibility, you can check with the local consulate if they have a job list for foreigners.

Big Hug,

Débora

How long do working visa last?

As far as I know you can apply to change your visa while living in Brazil, but you will have to leave to return on the new visa. I know someone who just went to Buenos Aires for 24 hours to activate the visa. I am not familiar with the process though. They had overstayed so had to pay a small fine too, but had no problems with it.

Hi, i've just finished my tefl course and i'm ready to set off to brazil, im heading up to florianapolis, ( santa catrina ) does any one have any experience living or working in this beautiful state of brazil? I'd love some information and to hear anyone elses experiences ....

finding work in Brazil can be challenging. I live in Sergipe, I am in the USA for a few months before I return. I would recomment that you make a list of 5 schools. Visit these schools and volunteer your time. You will make the right connections. Networking is all about building relationships. Submit your resume and through those connections you will find a job. I have lived off and on in Brazil, I can think of 3 schools that would hire me, but for years I have been visiting these schools volunteering, dancing, and just having a good time. It is also a great way to make friends with the students. Many of them need and enjoy learning from native speakers. Take care

Hi everyone, I'm from Brazil

I'm living In Newquay, Cornwall UK.

I'll be back to Brazil at the end of 2012

At the moment I've been searching for a job position, and I've found

a lot of English teacher job positions that pays Between 1200 real up to 3000 real,

this positions are on the South Coast Florianopolis, where I've my house.

And remember the 2014 World Cup is in Brazil, it's a good chance to make some extra money, at the Airports, Hotels, travel agency, every where you can imgine that the  tourist will need some help with the language. Brasil is not a country that speak english at all.

If anyone have any problems with the language (portuguese) 

you're welcome to contact me.

Kind Regards

Daniel Zanicoski