Job Discussion Forums

[Amani Renas]

Hey All!

The Brazil forum seems just a little dead as of late...how about we get a roll call going on?!

For anyone reading, are you in Brazil? If so, where are you? What exactly are you doing? Do you like where you are? Do you speak Portuguese?

If you aren't in Brazil yet, when will you arrive? Do you have a job/contract? Where will you be? Are you applying with a special program? Going to university?

I am currently teaching English and French in Tokyo but am applying to the August, 2009 intake of the IICA 2009 program. I am hoping to be placed somewhere in the northeast, particularly in Bahia or Pernambouco.

Is anyone else applying?

I hope we can get some sort of conversation going on!

-Amani

[EyesOnBrazil]

Well, Amani, I'll bite!

I'm not in Brazil but I was and I will be again. I went down to Rio in 2005 with the great gringo hope of teaching English sans certificate, a real plan and enough money to tide me over for the dry spells. I spent my money over a few months (5) and came home.

I was studying Brazilian culture and Portuguese long before I went and I'll be studying it long after I go back (I'm getting to that part). I'm self-taught in Portuguese and consider myself fluent in reading, writing and speaking. In order to spead my love of Brazil and in a sense empty my head of all the knowledge I've collected, I made my own website on all things Brazilian (the link is where the 'www' button is located below).

I've taught English to Brazilians before but it was only for about 3 months and other than that, I'm always available for the many Brazilian friends I've made over the years on MSN and the like. I try to help them with their English needs and half the time, I learn something myself.

In early December 2008, I decided to try my luck again with entering a teacher training program but St. Giles in San Francisco which offers the CELTA course failed majorly in my book. They failed in returning my phone call, failed in returning my various emails and failed in calling me back after I physically walked into their office building at 10AM (where I was told no one was 'in' to be able to talk to me). I even emailed their S�o Paulo office twice, no return...but not surprising after seeing their website and the mistakes it carries.

Anyways, it's Febuary and after a stint of trying something completely different, I am returning with full force to all that English teaching can offer. Money is short (in this e-con-omy its no wonder) so I'm hoping to save as fast as I can until I have enough to take a serious course, which I estimate to be around summertime (to those in the Northern hempisphere). The course itself, I hope to complete in Brazil, most likely following the advice of Evanzinho in the other topic...and after that is said and done, I hope to be placed with a Brazilian school.

In case you were looking for a less lengthy response, I do apologize, but I didn't have time to write a shorter message

[Manaus]

I first visited Brazil in 2002 and have returned many times - mostly as a tourist.
However, I accepted a job with IICA in 2004 to teach EFL in Manaus for one year. It was a wonderful experience!
Since my return to the U.S. I've been teaching middle school Geography and adult ESL classes at Berlitz. I am currently enrolled in a MA for TESOL program and when I graduate I will be applying for EFL jobs in Brazil. This time I hope to stay longer.

EyesonBrazil, I believe I've met you before - on orkut. I sent you information on living in Brazil.
Meredith

[EyesOnBrazil]

Very possible, as your name sounds familiar.

Maybe I'll see you down there then! lol