How realistic is my plan ?

09/01/23 @PunchItBaby. Welcome! With respect to your plan, #1 probably isn't a bad idea. The Portuguese course in #2 is a very good idea if you're planning on spending a lot of time in Brazil, since this is basically a monolingual country. A language course that provides accommodations would be very unusual, though; the best you might be able to find is one that will provide some guidance in finding a room to rent. If you do find one that provides housing, I hope that you'll post about it. Otherwise, you'll need a separate housing budget.

You're highly unlikely to find a language school, no matter how "scummy", that's willing to hire you under the table: they're intensely aware of the labor laws, there are plenty of English speakers here legally, and the pay is low anyway.

You may have more luck with private students. With them, a lot will depend on your particular dialect. North American English is in great demand here, British English not so much. If your English is "Mid-Atlantic", chances are that you'll be ok. If you can teach in pretty flawless RP you may find niche work: there are probably some Brazilians who consider it prestigious, and will pay well for it. The more regional your accent, the harder it will be; if you're a Geordie, enjoy the beach and work on your Portuguese.

Brazil, like any big country, is a whole world of its own. It's fantastic, but it certainly isn't for everybody.  Before you determine to live the outlaw life of the serial visa overstayer, make sure that you can stand living here first. That Portuguese course should help a lot, so enjoy it and don't be in a rush to make a lot of decisions in advance. Best of luck.

Hi there, yes there are two schools that offer what sounds like a very similar deal. Student visa, optional accommodation for 6 or 12 months in RDJ or SP. I don’t have the details to hand but will post about them when I have more time. One of them is Camino language school I believe...

I need to make sure they’re reputable and do a ton of research before I commit, but it sounds essentially like a very expensive way of being able to live in Brazil for a year, with you paying for the convenience of them sorting everything.

From what I’ve seen on forums for British people who have gone to Brazil to teach English at CELTA/TEFL level, the consensus is that doing it illegally is the only way to do it. Native English isn’t even required, and qualifications won’t help much. So if you’re a French guy with very good English and no qualifications you can find work. Native English, qualifications, classroom experience are all things that can help get you into better places, but the better places are still pretty dreadful and low-paying. I’m talking about the language schools that are all over cities; certainly nothing prestigious. This is what I’ve heard, anyway. If that’s wrong I’d love to know because it’s a huge part of  the plan!

That’s interesting about North American English. I hadn’t heard that but it makes sense. I could teach in a passable American accent if I had to.

Hello everyone,

Welcome on board @PunchItBaby !

Now you have your own thread on the Brazil forum so that you may better interact with members. I hope you'll obtain more useful input like you've been given by @Abthree

All the best

Bhavna

Slightly off your topic, I have taught English to the very young, like 6-10 year olds, and high school science, in English, for non-English speakers just for fun, outside of New York City at a HUGE English emersion school, a live in campus for up to about 4,000 younger foreign students. The location is a former IBM think-tank located on an isolated 40-acre campus. I've loved doing this. But then, I'm old, with a lot of world experience, along with five college degrees. BTW, English is my second language.

Hello everyone,
Welcome on board @PunchItBaby !

Now you have your own thread on the Brazil forum so that you may better interact with members. I hope you'll obtain more useful input like you've been given by @Abthree

All the best
Bhavna
-@Bhavna

You're great! So proactive here, thank you

Hi there, I’m 42, British. Here’s the “plan”:
1: Get TEFL/CELTA qualification depending on which appears to be more suited.
2: After much research, pay one of the language schools I’ve found that offer Portuguese classes in RDJ including taking care of the 12-month student visa and accommodation in their fee. During that time, network a lot and try to find (illegal, naturally) work in a language school with an eye to getting private students asap.
3: After the student visa expires, return on a 180-day tourist visa and pick up where I left off (except accommodation of course), whether that be in a scummy language school or with private students.
4: After the BR visa expires, bounce around SA on tourist visas teaching remotely, or find a stable job elsewhere until BR lets me back in.

Here to see how realistic that is. Also, let me know if this isn’t the place to discuss the above, particularly breaking the terms of my visa. I don’t want to offend anyone! I’m here for practical advice and I don’t have any skills or sufficient savings to qualify for a DN visa - it’s the only way I can do it short of marrying.
-@PunchItBaby

Slightly off your topic, I have taught English, and high school science, in English, for non English speakers for fun, just outside of New York City at a HUGE English emession school, a live in campus for up to about 4,000 younger foreign students at one time. The location is a former IBM think-tank located on an isolated 40 acre campus

@PunchItBaby Very smart to do lots of research before making this big step.  We are in Brazil for a total of 4-5 years (for my husband's work) . In the US I was a RN and decided to get the TEFL certification before coming to Brazil so I could teach.  I did not speak portugese when we came so I knew I could not work as a nurse.  Since coming I have not once been ask what kind of certification I have so I am note sure how important that is unless you work for a language school.  Once we arrived here I realized that most Brazilians can not afford to pay for  English classes.  The salaries here are very low so taking private English classes is only for the upper class.  Since I had no desire to teach this group of the population I started giving lessons as a volunteer to people that are motivated but don't have the means of taking lessons.  I am in a position where I don't need the money and I understand your situation is very different.  I am just not sure how big the demand is.  You may want to secure a job with an online forum teaching English, (probably based in Asia) so you have a steady pay check. Once you are in Brazil you will have more flexibility to look for options locally.  Since the pandemic many language schools have started teaching online and I know here in Campinas some language school have closed their physical buildings. Good luck with your new adventure!

It's your plan, your deed.

I would be wary of plans as far as being in  Brazil. 

Yet, if this is what you are pursuing it, best of luck, and keep at it.

09/03/23 @PunchItBaby.  Droplover's suggestion of earning through an online language instruction forum outside Brazil deserves consideration.  Having non-Brazilian students paying you in your UK bank account which you then access through ATMs here would sidestep a lot of the legal issues with working in Brazil while on a student visa. 

The only thing I can offer as far as insight going on here, is that the PF @ Immigration don't particularily like foreigners who overstay, and tend to apply rules as written. So, whatever those rules are at the time and day of your getting caught, would be the only variable iMHO.

Thing is, I go thru the country 6 times a year and have for many years. They've asked me questions at times when multiple entries are close together, etc, and I have actually seen my PF computer profile as well. The info is all there.

I don't have an ethical problem with your plan at all, just worried you'll get tripped up and expelled/banned when caught. Is it worth it ?

@PunchItBaby l would advise against it. My advice is to return to your home country. Work hard. Save as much as possible. Return to Brazil when you are self sufficient and don’t need to work to survive. It’s my opinion and it means nothing. But at 42 you are at a crucial point in your life. Retirement age will come much faster than you can ever realize, and you will never recover those lost years. With that being said, best of luck on whatever path you decide.