Teaching English in Rio de Janeiro
Finding Work, Visas, Where to Go and What do do
An informal overview of ESL teaching options in Brazil including Newstart, Falaldiomas, Britannia School, including rates of pay, lifestyle, and more.
Are you thinking of ESL teaching in Rio de Janeiro? You can, here's how.
Cultural Inglesa, CNA, CCAA, Brasas, Fink are among the leaders in the market, but it can be difficult getting work with these companies.
Almost all of these schools require a work permit, or visa, and most gringos / estangeiros, don' t have one. However, being a native English speaker with a CELTA, or TEFOL qualification will open most other doors in Rio, with or without a degree.
The schools that we suggest you contact are:
Newstart, Rua Carioca, near the Carioca metro
FalaIdiomas, Petrobras building close to Carioca station.
Britannia Schools, Gavea, Ipanema, Leblon area RJ
Newstart is a good option. The classes are for multinationals, and the pay is R27.00 per hour. Classes generally last an hour and a half, and are located in Barra de Tijuca, which is about an hour by bus from the city centre. Barra is Rio's answer to the American dream, with shopping malls, neon, generic, homogenised lifestyles. They pay $15.00 extra for the commute, but it's still is a hassle. Newstart make customized courses for their students, and expect detailed reports, and lesson plans. They're a good school to work for if you want autonomy, and structure. Class sizes are normally 1 to 5.
Falar Idiomas offers work conveniently located near the middle of the city, at Petrobras. Petrobras is South America's largest employer, with head office located in Rio de Janeiro. Falar Idiomas don't pay well (R22.00 per hour), and the classes are generally for an hour. So once you've taken the metro, and had a coffee, there's very little left to pay the bills. It's a good starting point, and fills in the gaps in your diary. It's easy to get a job, as the company's approach is informal. No lesson plans, no reporting, more or less do your own thing. Petrobras is a great place to make contacts though, so this can be an advantage if you're thinking long-term. Classes are one-on-one. Phone number is 55 21 8747 4104
Britannia are a wealthy school located in the best suburbs of Rio. They are quite particular about your professionalism, and will quiz you more than the schools above. The pay is good, and teachers who work there recommend the school. Up to 15 students per class, with pay around R28.00 and more per hour.
No-one will employ you sight unseen, unless you're experienced with at least 2 years teaching experience, a degree, and a CELTA or TSOL certificate.
When you enter Brazil you will be issued with a renewable three-month visitor's visa. Many people miss the deadline, and have to leave the country to renew their visa elsewhere. That means a 30-hour bus ride from Rio to Foz de Iguacu, and the Paraguyan border. It's highly recommended to avoid this by going to the Federal Police Station at least 14 days before your visa expires. Given bureaucratic muck ups here are a daily occurrence.
The most lucrative way of making money teaching english in Rio de Janeiro, is through private classes, which pay anywhere between R25.00 and R55.00 per hour. By advertising, delivering flyers in your neighbourhood, and through word of mouth it's possible to make good money.
What's in store for you in Rio
The lifestyle is fantastic. Great bars, nightlife, beaches and restaurants. Rio really is "the marvelous city".
Portuguese is a difficult language to learn, so don't expect to come here and just pick it up. It can take up to a year constant contact with the language before you gain any sort of fluency. That aside, it's a beautiful language to listen to and learn.
Try and study a few phrases before you come to help you along the way. Most Cariocas don't speak English, and appreciate a gringo who can speaks Portuguese. Or at the very least, attempts to speak Portuguese.
Renting an apartment or studio is relatively inexpensive (R700.00 to R1200 a month including basic utilities) for clean and tidy accommodation in a good area. Try areas such as Copocabana, Botafogo, and Flamengo. The wealthiest suburbs are Ipanema, Leblon and Gavea, which might charge a few dollars more, however these are the most lucrative areas for teaching opportunities.
Food is cheap, accessible, and of good quality. Many meals can be had for R6.00. You won't starve if you are on a tight budget.
Rio offers a fantastic lifestyle, a friendly environment, warm weather and the most beautiful city beaches in the world. Go there with an open mind, a few dollars in your kicker and start knocking on doors. Don't expect to make ends meet for 6 months or so, until you're established, and know the ropes. Also, expect a culture shock. There's alot of poverty, crime, corruption and violence, as well as opportunity. But you need to be street wise, savvy, and resourceful to find it. Use teaching as a backstop, and pursue other opportunities while you're there.
Cariocas really are the friendleist people in the world.
