Job Discussion Forums

sghovd · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 9

hello,

I am from Belgium (native language is Dutch) and am interested in T E as a FL in Brazil.

I have details in the newbie forum and would like to see what you guys think, so I have a better time developing a sense of direction in what to look for/ what to avoid.

here's the link to my post in the newbie forum.
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=25943

Thank you

sghovd · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 9

A lil bumping the bump won't hurt anyone Wink

fragganika · Joined: 12 Dec 2004 Posts: 60 Location: North American

Hi there... I skimmed your other posts, and didn't agree with the detractors either.

I worked for Wizard Idiomas in a small town in Brazil, where plenty of non-native speakers have taught before. In the small towns, native speakers are rare, since, of course, most people go to the big cities for their foreign living experience. So, you'd probably have a good chance at gaining employment - WITHOUT CELTA OR ANYTHING ELSE - there. Yep, I mean, Brazil is so informal in business you don't need a certificate at the franchise schools most of the time.

The one thing that I, as a native speaker, found frustrating, is that the students get used to the very often slightly slower, more anunciated speech of fluent non-native speakers. So, when I come in to teach with my generic American accent, the students freak out and can't understand me! When my mom (who's not American) visited me in Brazil, my students started joking (with quite a serious, real sentiment!) that she should be their teacher instead of me, because she spoke more like the German man who'd taught them English the year before. Yikes Wink

PKB · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 88 Location: USA

How do most people find openings at franchise schools? Do you just go door to door or are there standard publications to check?

FILCARIOCA · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 2

im from a non-native English speaking country and i managed to get into an English course in Rio de Janeiro. moreover, i got a very good fixed monthly salary for teaching at most 30 hours/week. my boss extended my one year contract but due to visa complications, i only got a six month extension. she paid my return ticket in december and gave me a month's holiday - paid. so i don't think it'll be a big problem for you. just make sure you secure your CELTA. it's definitely going to give you the edge. Some Brazilian English teachers i know haven't got a degree. by the way, i didn't have any certifications and ESL teaching experience prior to my stint in Brazil.

don't expect on getting replies from franchise schools if you send your resume online. it's better you drop you resume "door to door" and sometimes they even interview you right there and then. start sending your resume in december/january or june/july.

i hope this gives you hope! BOA SORTE=)