Expert: Sandra - 7/14/2011

Question
Hello Sandra,

I have one year left before I finish my bachelor's in English.  Would I still have to be TESL certified?  Would it increase my chances of finding a school that would pay more than if I wasn't TESL certified?  Would it increase my chances of finding a school that would help me to extend my visa over 6 months?

Is marrying a Brazilian really the only way to be able to stay in Brazil over 6 months?  I really want to make Brazil my home.  I lived there for a year in Sorocaba, SP when I was 17.  I learned to speak Portuguese fluently and made friends that I still keep in contact with.  I would like to return to the state of SP, but I know it's tough to find a place to live because of the rigid laws.  I also know people in the state of Rio, but I guess I'd prefer to go back to SP.  

Also, I have a cat.  I've been looking up information on all the steps I need to take to bring him with me.  But I wanted your advice on this matter.

Much appreciated,

Caitlin

Answer
Hi Caitlin.
You must know that you can't work legally on a tourist visa. And that very few, if any, ESL schools will go to the trouble to apply for a proper work visa for you, although some may hire you under the table, but for a pittance, certificate or not. My impression is that a certificate of any kind is not so important, nor is esoteric knowledge of English literature, nor will the certificate leave you better placed for a school to consider applying for a work visa for you. Most gringos earning a reasonable living teaching English make the majority of their money teaching private students, which requires you be in one place in Brazil long enough to build up a clientele.

As far a teaching skills and qualifications, IMO, logical thinking about grammar and instructional progression, one's own experience in learning a second language, lots of creativity, an outgoing and resilient personality, a strong knowledge of grammar rules in both English and Portuguese, classroom management experience, and a reasonable amount of ability in Portuguese to explain grammar points, as well as a head for business and enough savings to make one less vulnerable to frequent holidays and cancellations, none of which are taught in a TOEFL class, are what makes a good ESL teacher in Brazil. Not everyone who speaks English, not even someone whose major it is/was, can teach.
You might find this thread in particular, on the forum of a busy expat site, interesting:
http://www.gringoes.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12563
You can also find very specific info about bringing animals into Brazil on that forum by doing a search. (Just ignore the rude, the ignorant, and the trolls who sometimes post there.)

As far as staying in BRazil...
You can overstay your tourist visa and pay a daily fine, up to a maximum of about R$800.
You can marry and apply for permanencia. You can have a Brazilian citizen child and apply for permanencia. You can invest R$150K and create 10 jobs for an investor visa. You can retire with a guaranteed pension income of U$2K/month.

As far as finding a place to live, you would probably need to find a republica that was renting rooms, or a fiador as a guarantor to help you rent an apartment.

Good luck.