Ilha Grande Travel Forum

Hello Everyone,

After spending 11 years in Toronto, Canada i have decided that it is time for a change. A couple of my friends and i are thinking about taking a year off to travel and of course we would like to spend most to all of our time on Ilha Grande.
What are the possiblities of gaining work on the island ( if any)? When i was there in November i observed that there was ample accomodations so that shouldn't be a problem.
What i really want to know is there a possiblity of teaching english or attaining any sort of job on the island? I have decided to enroll myself into Portuguese classes up here to get a head start.
Please provide me your most honest feedback as i would like to know if my dream could become a reality.

Obrigada,
TG 11

Honest feedback? OK. This question comes up frequently on various Brazil forums from naive travellers smitten with Brazil.

Brazil is a country with a huge problem of unemployment and under-employment of its own citizens. Those who can manage to get jobs are often happy to have them at the official minimum wage, which, by the way, is hardly enough to sustain life in a favela/slum. Many others don't even earn that minimum and do anything they can to get by. These include people with education, including those who speak a second language fluently and can teach it (and explain the grammar). Also an official work visa for a gringo/a costs the employer lots of money to procure. So employing a local is cheaper and easier.
Under these conditions, why would anyone choose to employ you?

If you decide to go, take enough money to sustain yourself for the full time you intend to be there. Perhaps after some time, when you make local connections, you may be able to supplement this by teaching a private English class or two,--- if you are fluent, can explain grammar and have teaching skills.