Lost in Translation

One reason that there is such high demand for EFL teachers is simple - bad English! Go to any non-English speaking around the world and it won't be long until you see some extremely poor translation. We thought we would have a quick chuckle in today's blog post by having a look at some of our favourites from around the world.

You'll need some pretty comprehensive travel insurance if you want to order this dish. Or maybe you're best just asking for a plate of chips...

This one got us wondering, in who did the taste test?

We're considering suing this company under the Trade Descriptions Act.

It's always worth getting your mayhem evaluated by a professional.

Available in all good supermarkets.

Definitely worth looking out for.

These are all the rage in South Korea apparently.

And finally...answers on a postcard for this one. Happy Friday!

Brilliant Brazil

With the Brazil World Cup now in full swing, we thought this would be a good time to take a closer look at the host nation. Here we give a quick rundown of what can be expected in terms of lifestyle, working conditions and job opportunities for EFL teachers.

A few years ago a report by English First showed that Brazil had one of the worst English competency levels in the world. Thankfully that is starting to change. Hosting two of the world's biggest and best sporting events (Rio was also chosen to stage the 2016 Olympics) has given a huge shot in the arm to English learning in Brazil. The tourism, business and media glare that come with the tournaments mean that the government has made a concerted effort to increase the country's language level. The Ministry of Tourism introduced a programme called 'Ola Turista', offering free English and Spanish classes in the 12 cities that are hosting the World Cup. Brazil's burgeoning economy (it now ranks at sixth in the world) has also helped fuel fresh demand for language learning as it does more and more trade on the global stage.

The main places you can look for work are the dozens of Culturas Inglesas and Instituto Brasil Estadios Unidos, as well as Wizard, the country's biggest language-teaching chain. Alternatively you can try the British Council, who have centres in Rio, Sao Paolo, Recife and Brasilia. Even if they have no positions they may be able to point you in the direction of language schools in the local area. You should also look in the usual places, such as www.tefl.com or www.eslcafe.com.

Getting a working visa can be a bit of a headache so many teachers decide to fly in to Brazil on a tourist visa and start searching once they get there. You can drop your CV off at universities and colleges but be aware that they may ask you to take a written English test on the spot, so come prepared. On passing the test, you would usually be invited back for a group interview which consists of a few potential teachers undertaking tasks in small groups or pairs. If you are successful after this, you may be asked to attend a two-week training course which is often unpaid.

The pay in Brazil is relatively modest (around £10-16 per hour) when compared with some of the more lucrative EFL destinations but money is not the reason that most people choose Brazil. The vibrant mix of cultures, stunning scenery and outrageous lust for life built into the Brazilian psyche more than make up for the money that could be made elsewhere.

To find work in Brazil, first you will need to get your UK-TEFL certificate. Click here to see a list of upcoming dates. Book now and begin your Brazilian adventure!