Job Discussion Forums

[netstar28]

[b]*I have highlighted the questions I need answers to. I know there is a lot but please answer as many as you can! Thank you!*
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Hello All,

My name is Nes. I'm a 25 year old recent college graduate with a Bachelor's in Psychology and minor in Political Science. I also recently received a TESOL/ TESL/ TEFL certificate in September from Oxford Seminars. I am a native speaker from Colorado. Currently, I assist at a local, multi-level, adult ESL school 6 hours a week. I'm traveling by myself and this will be my first time living outside the US. I think at this point I'm trying to decide between Salvador, Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo.

I'm trying to get to Brazil ASAP as an ESL teacher, but I'm having trouble deciding if the leap is possible or just too risky. I have done the research. I get the tourist visa thing and that you have to travel to the country in order to secure a job.... Right. My beef is I need more current info!! If there is anyone out there that is in Brazil right now or has gone in the last 2 years, I'm talking to you! It seems that things have changed so much even in just the last few years that pre-2011 info is no longer as relevant (obviously that's arguable. If it's been a while and you still think you can help, please do!).

I'd really like to hear some detailed accounts of what people's process was like securing a job as an ESL teacher (again BE SPECIFIC!)?

I have a list of ESL schools through the job placement services from Oxford, but most of them only provide an address and phone number, no email. I of course try looking up the schools websites, but it almost never provides an email or anything about job ops. The email addresses I'm able to obtain normally have no connection to jobs. Nevertheless I send my credentials anyways, but I'm probably just emailing some random person at the front desk, who doesn't speak English and puts my resume in the trash. It's also impossible calling because no one speaks English at he front desk (yes, I'm learning Portuguese, but I don't know enough yet). I'm scared to venture away from my Oxford "approved" school list, because of the horror stories I have heard about scams. As I previously stated, I am aware that you have to go to the country to secure a job, but I just wanted to try and at least set up an appointment! [b] Is that just a totally ridiculous and unrealistic idea?![/b]

-I should probably ask a question now. [b]How did you find "trusted" ESL schools in Brazil? When you did find them, did you just randomly show up and apply? What was that like? It sounds like a nightmare, especially with the public transportation. Which brings us to the question of, how did you navigate yourself around the city? (<< this question may be irrelevant, since public transit is a headache anywhere, but if you could just include some tips that would be great) Did you just pick one city or apply in multiple cities? [/b]

-One director did email me back. This is quoted directly from the email; "With your qualifications (which are good), few schools like ours in Brazil will be able to hire you. To work as a teacher in Basic education in our country you need to have a university level degree in the subject you are going to teach." [b]Clearly he is saying I need a degree in English to get hired! Is that true? I tried emailing him back with no response thus far. I'm hoping maybe he is only talking about public schools....?
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My second biggest concern is the housing situation in Brazil. I have also heard some horror stories about this with regards to needing residential co-signers or extremely large deposits (neither of which I would be able to do). It seems the most realistic option with this is renting a room. I heard it's a good idea to look in the newspaper for rooms. I also worry this is going to be a nightmare with my basic level of understanding Portuguese.

-[b]So for this portion, if you could just describe in detail what your process was like in securing housing in Brazil... Thanks![/b]

[b]-Is Salvador de Bahia safe or too dangerous for someone like me? Can you describe the current job market in Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo with the high competition and abundance of chain schools? [/b]

[b]-Last but not least. What do you wish you would have known before going to Brazil?[/b]

Thanks again to all those willing to help!


Best Regards,

~Nes

[suncastle]

Hi Nes,

Although my experience isn't current, I hope I can give you some insight. As far as choosing the starting point I would suggest S. Paulo. I know it is the "least' desirable of the three, as in "it's not right on the ocean", but the market here is big, especially if you target "business English".