Teaching English in Brazil: Complete Guide to the Fulbright ETA Scholarship

Are you a recent US college graduate looking for a program to teach English abroad? The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) program  offers a fully-funded opportunity to teach English in Brazil and immerse yourself in one of the world’s most vibrant cultures. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about applying for this prestigious Fulbright scholarship in Brazil.

You can click below to navigate to specific topics about the Fubright ETA program in Brazil

What is the Fulbright ETA Program in Brazil?

The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant program in Brazil is one of the most sought-after scholarships in Brazil for recent US graduates. Approximately 10 awards are offered annually, providing American citizens with the opportunity to teach English at five public universities throughout Brazil for one academic year (March to November).

As an ETA, you’ll assist Brazilian faculty members in their  English classes. By creating teaching materials, developing workshops, leading conversation clubs and interacting with students, you will contribute to English language instruction at the undergraduate level. But teaching English in Brazil through Fulbright is more than a cultural and educational exchange. It’s an immersion in Brazilian traditions that allows you to learn Portuguese while sharing American culture and values with Brazilian students.

Why Choose to Teach English in Brazil?

Brazil offers a unique combination of professional growth, cultural experiences, and language-learning opportunities. Here’s what makes teaching English in Brazil through the Fulbright program exceptional:

•   Professional Development: Gain valuable teaching experience that strengthens your resume for careers in education, international development, public service, and many others

•   Immersive Portuguese Learning: Unlike short-term programs, the 8-month duration allows you to achieve genuine fluency in Portuguese

•   Cultural Immersion: Experience Brazil authentically by living in communities where English is rarely spoken. Have a real taste through its diverse landscape, local traditions, typical food, and regional accents and dialects. 

•   Full Financial Support: Receive a monthly stipend, accident and sickness coverage, and international round-trip airfare

•   Global Network: Join the prestigious Fulbright alumni network with connections worldwide

What ETAs Say About Teaching English in Brazil

Charlotte Greenhill, Boston University graduate and 2025 ETA at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Belo Horizonte, describes her experience: “This time has been full of both personal and professional growth for me. Here at UFMG, my co-ETA and I have been offering conversation clubs and English classes to students. We are also teaching English classes to deaf Brazilians and learning Brazilian sign language, which has been a really powerful experience.”

Fenner Dreyfuss, also a 2025 Fulbright ETA at UFMG from Northeastern University, adds: “The university is really supportive. Our students are super enthusiastic and motivated, and I feel like I learn something new every day about being a better educator. I’m enjoying the city, Brazilian culture, and just learning a ton every day.”

Who Qualifies for the Fulbright ETA Grant in Brazil?

The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant scholarship program seeks recent graduates who are passionate about teaching and learning from individuals from other cultures and educational backgrounds. Here are the key requirements:

Essential Requirements

• US Citizenship: You must be a US citizen to apply
• Bachelor’s Degree: Required minimum qualification (Master’s degree holders are preferred)
• Teaching Experience: 1-2 years of tutoring or classroom teaching experience with young adults or adults
• Language Skills: Three years of college-level Portuguese OR three years of Spanish plus additional Portuguese study at the time of application
• Availability: Must be available for the full Brazilian academic year (March – November)

Preferred Qualifications

While not required, the following qualifications strengthen your application for teaching English in Brazil:

• Degrees in TESOL, ESL, English, Linguistics, or Education (Note: If you have a degree in another field but demonstrate genuine interest in English teaching, you can still apply. The Fulbright Program will sponsor TEFL/TESOL certification for selected candidates)
• Advanced Portuguese proficiency (though basic Portuguese won’t harm your chances if you demonstrate plans for language study)
• Leadership experience and maturity to represent the United States

Can I Apply Without Portuguese Experience?

Yes! Bianca Rosa Perez, who studied at the University of Illinois Chicago, applied to teach English in Brazil after learning Portuguese for only four months. She shares: “I started learning Portuguese in December 2020, and four months later I was applying to the Fulbright English teaching assistantship in Brazil. I thought, ‘you know what, I’m four months into learning Portuguese, why not apply to Brazil?’ I’m normally a pretty cautious person who thinks things through, and so the fact that I decided after just four months of learning Portuguese that I could do it says something about the program and how amazing an opportunity it is. Go for it, honestly – you won’t regret it.”

What Will You Do as an English Teaching Assistant in Brazil?

Teaching Responsibilities (25-30 hours/week)

Your primary role when teaching English in Brazil through Fulbright involves:

• Conducting English conversation clubs for university students
• Co-teaching English classes with Brazilian faculty
• Creating teaching materials and lesson plans
• Developing workshops related to English language teaching
• Sharing American culture and values with students

Community Engagement (10-15 hours/week)

Beyond teaching English in Brazil, ETAs develop personal projects aligned with their interests. These projects should be flexible, as you won’t know your placement location until you’re selected. Examples include:

• Pursuing Portuguese language courses to formally learn Portuguese in Brazil
• Researching topics related to Brazilian culture, education, or society
• Volunteering with local community organizations
• Developing multimedia projects, podcasts, or documentaries

Thatcher Warrick Hess, a 2022 ETA at Universidade Federal do Maranhão in São Luís, used his side project time to continue his podcast “Object Obscura,” which traces the history of antique objects. He notes that the side project component helped him discover his true passion for bilingual journalism, leading him to pursue a master’s in the field after his Fulbright year.

Where Will You Teach English in Brazil?

The Fulbright Commission places two ETAs at each of five public universities throughout Brazil. Placement decisions are based on your profile and the host institution’s needs. Recent host universities have included:

• Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Belo Horizonte
• Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul 
• Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia in Amargosa
• Universidade Estadual do Piauí in Teresina
• Instituto Federal do Piauí in Teresina

Important: You cannot choose your placement location. The Fulbright Commission assigns placements based on institutional needs and your background. You must be willing to accept any placement to participate in the program. Many ETAs are placed in smaller cities where few people speak English — this immersive environment is ideal for learning Portuguese in Brazil.

What Financial Support Does This Fulbright Scholarship in Brazil Provide?

The Fulbright ETA is a fully-funded opportunity to teach English in Brazil. Financial benefits include:

Direct Financial Support

• Monthly Stipend: $1,020 USD per month for living expenses
• Relocation Allowance: $1,020 USD one-time payment
• Round-trip International Airfare: US to Brazil flights covered
• Comprehensive accident and sickness coverage

Additional Program Benefits

• Brazilian Visa Application Assistance: Support with the visa application process
• Pre-Departure Orientation: Comprehensive preparation before departure
• In-Country Orientation: Arrival orientation and mid-year meetings (mandatory to participants)
• English Teaching/TESOL Training: Preparatory course for teaching English in Brazil
• 24/7 Mental Health Support: Available for urgent and non-urgent situations
• Ongoing Administrative Support: From Fulbright Commission in Brazil
• Alumni Network: Access to Fulbright Brazil’s extensive community throughout the country

How to Apply for the Fulbright ETA Program in Brazil

Application Timeline

The Fulbright ETA program follows a consistent annual cycle. Check the current ETA application call for specific dates, but the general timeline is:

• Application Opens: Typically late March, early April, approximately two years before the grant begins
• Application Deadline: Usually in early October. 
• Semi-Finalist Interviews: Conducted in January/February 
• Final Selection Notification: Spring prior to your grant year
• Scholarship Period: March through November (8 months, following Brazil’s academic calendar)

Visit fulbright.org.br/awards-for-us-citizens/english-teaching-assistantship-eta/ for the most current application timeline and deadlines of the Fulbright Brazil English Assistant Program. The application typically needs to be submitted  17-23 months before your intended start date.

Application Process

All applications are submitted through the Institute of International Education (IIE). The application process varies slightly depending on your status:

For Current Students: Contact your university’s Fulbright Program Advisor for application information and campus deadline. Most universities have internal deadlines earlier than the national deadline.

For Applicants not currently enrolled: Apply directly through the IIE website (us.fulbrightonline.org). Contact IIE or the Fulbright Commission in Brazil directly for support.

Semi-Finalist Interview Process

If selected as a semi-finalist, you’ll be contacted by the Fulbright Commission in Brazil in January prior to your grant year for: 

•   Online Interview: Discussion of your qualifications, motivation, and teaching interests

•   Teaching Demonstration: You’ll prepare and present a short English lesson during the interview

The interview, teaching demonstration, and your complete application package determine final selection for this competitive Fulbright ETA program in Brazil.

Important Considerations Before Applying

Before applying to teach English in Brazil through Fulbright, carefully consider these program requirements:

• Full Commitment Required: Your first responsibility is to the Fulbright program and your host institution. You must commit fully to the academic calendar and teaching duties
• No Placement Choice: The Fulbright Commission assigns placements. You cannot request a specific city or university
• No Dependent Support: The grant doesn’t provide financial or logistical support for dependents (spouses, children). Dependents should not accompany you for the full grant term
• Limited Travel: International travel outside Brazil is limited to 14 days during academic breaks only. No travel is permitted while your host institution is in session (except emergencies)
• Pre-Grant Brazil Restriction: You cannot be in Brazil for more than three cumulative months in the 12 months before your grant start date

Learning Portuguese in Brazil Through the ETA Program

One of the most valuable aspects of teaching English in Brazil through Fulbright is the opportunity to learn Portuguese in Brazil through full immersion. Many ETAs arrive with limited Portuguese skills and leave near-fluent.

Why Learning Portuguese in Brazil is Effective

• Total Immersion: Many placements are in cities where few people speak English, forcing daily Portuguese use
• 8-Month Duration: Unlike short-term programs, the extended time frame allows genuine language acquisition
• University Resources: Access to Portuguese language courses and language exchange partners
• Community Integration: Living and working in Brazilian communities accelerates language learning

Thatcher Warrick Hess reflects on learning Portuguese in Brazil: “Being placed in São Luís do Maranhão, where few people speak English, forced us to learn Portuguese quickly. Out of our nine months there, my co-ETA and I saw only one American. That total immersion was challenging but incredibly effective for language learning.”

What’s Daily Life Like Teaching English in Brazil?

A Typical Week

• Monday-Friday: Teaching conversation clubs, co-teaching classes, preparing lesson materials (25-30 hours)
• Weekly: Working on your community engagement project (10-15 hours)
• Evenings/Weekends: Exploring your city, practicing Portuguese, building relationships with students and community members

Building Community

Vanessa Miranda, program officer from Fulbright Brazil’s São Paulo office visited ETAs Dulce de la Cruz and Melanie Escobar at the Universidade Federal do  Recôncavo da Bahia in Amargosa and reported: “The ETAs are beloved by students and staff alike, and their work is remarkable. They have expressed how happy they are to be in Amargosa and how much they are learning from this experience. The positive effects the ETA program is having on the university and within Amargosa’s community are impressive.”

How Will Teaching English in Brazil Impact Your Career?

The Fulbright ETA experience opens doors across multiple career paths:

Education Careers

• Gain practical teaching experience that strengthens applications for teaching positions, education graduate programs, or TESOL certification programs
• Develop cross-cultural teaching skills valuable for diverse classrooms

International Development & Diplomacy

• Build credentials for careers with the State Department, USAID, international NGOs, or think tanks
• Demonstrate cultural competency and foreign language skills

Business & Entrepreneurship

•   Develop Portuguese fluency for careers in Latin American markets

•   Build a professional network in Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy

Graduate School & Research

•   The 10-15 hour/week community engagement component allows you to pursue research interests

•   Fulbright experience enhances  graduate school applications across disciplines

Bianca Rosa Perez reflects: “The experience taught me that I am very capable, very adaptable. It gave me a lot more confidence in terms of being able to start over and try new things. When can you say that you’re going to get paid to live in another country and share your knowledge as an English speaker and your cultural understanding? It’s easy to second-guess yourself, but go for it honestly—you just have to do it.”

What Brazilian Professors Say About the ETA Program

Host university professors consistently praise the impact of teaching English in Brazil through the Fulbright program:

Prof. Fernanda Mota, UFBA Salvador: “The ETAs brought countless contributions to our internationalization process and the expansion of our repertoire of cultural, linguistic and human experiences, highlighting the value of cooperation and interpersonal relationships.”

Prof. Italo de Assis, UVA Sobral: “The Fulbright ETA program has had a huge impact at UVA. Not only academically, but it has also allowed our students to develop a cultural awareness about the US that would have hardly been achieved otherwise.”

Prof. Marcia Del Corona, UNISINOS São Leopoldo: “The ETA Program had great impact at UNISINOS. The ETAs helped improve the knowledge of English and American culture of our pre-service English teachers, approximated students of a variety of undergraduate courses and encouraged institutional actions towards internationalization.”

Prof. Paula Tavares Pinto, UNESP São José do Rio Preto: “I am extremely thankful to all the ETAs who have worked with us and to the fact that they often had different academic fields, which was a challenge at the beginning, but became a very positive aspect to our interdisciplinary projects.”

How Does This Compare to Other Opportunities to Teach English Abroad?

The Fulbright ETA program stands apart from other teaching English opportunities:

• Full Funding: Unlike many programs that require upfront costs or offer minimal stipends, Fulbright provides comprehensive financial support
• Prestige: The Fulbright name carries significant weight with graduate schools, employers, and professional networks worldwide
• Professional Setting: You work at prestigious public universities, not private language schools
• Flexibility: The 10-15 hour/week community engagement component lets you pursue personal interests alongside teaching
• Support System: Comprehensive orientation, ongoing administrative support, and 24/7 mental health resources
• Alumni Network: Join a global community of over 400,000 Fulbright alumni, including heads of state, Nobel laureates, and leaders across all fields

Frequently Asked Questions About Teaching English in Brazil

Ready to Apply for This Fulbright Scholarship in Brazil?

If you’re interested in teaching English in Brazil, learning Portuguese in Brazil, and experiencing one of the world’s most vibrant cultures through this prestigious scholarship, here are your next steps:

• Visit the Official Fulbright ETA in Brazil Program Page  
• Contact Your Campus Advisor: If you’re currently enrolled or recently graduated, find your Fulbright Program Advisor at us.fulbrightonline.org/fulbright-program-advisers
• Start Learning Portuguese: Begin or continue Portuguese studies now, even basic proficiency will help your application
• Gain Teaching Experience: Seek tutoring or teaching opportunities to strengthen your application
• Learn About Brazil: Demonstrate your genuine interest by researching Brazilian culture, the education system, and current events
• Connect with current ETA’s or Fulbright Brazil alumni. You can find them on our LinkedIn page or listen to their stories on the Fulbrighter podcast

The Fulbright ETA program offers a unique opportunity to teach English in Brazil while also learning Portuguese, building international experience, and developing skills that will serve you throughout your career. Whether you’re interested in education, international development, business, or simply want to experience Brazilian culture deeply, this Fulbright grantscholarship in Brazil can open doors you never imagined.

As Charlotte Greenhill advises: “I encourage anyone that enjoys teaching and is interested in and appreciates Brazilian culture to apply to the program.”

The application opens every year around late March. Don’t let self-doubt hold you back: start preparing your application today.

Not sure if this is the award for you? check out the Study & Research Award in Brazil or the page with all our awards for U.S. Citizens.