If you are looking for a teaching job in Portugal, you must obtain a Teaching English as Second Language (TESOL) certificate. Once you have this certificate in hand, you will find that obtaining a teaching job in Portugal is easier compared to other western European countries. Teaching English in Portugal is a great way to discover parts of Europe and get teaching experience.

Determine the school in which you would like to teach. To get some advice on desirable schools in Portugal, look for a directory of local schools or consult with educational professionals via phone or Web. If you are familiar with Portugal and know which school you are interested in, send administrators a copy of your resume and teaching credentials. Be careful about schools that offer contracts to you from out of the country. This could be an indication that the school has had past problems with teachers in the area.

Learn Portuguese. This is important because although you will teaching English, you must still have the ability to communicate with staff and students. Both groups will be more likely to treat you with respect because of your effort to learn the language of their native country. Moreover, this bilingual ability increases your chances of landing a job.

Offer private lessons. Many teachers teach private English lessons and make a comfortable living in Portugal. Advertise your services at schools, embassies, and businesses. If you network with other expatriates and try and meet as many local people as you can, it will increase your possibility to meeting people who want to learn English.

Attend a language school. The best way to find jobs in Portugal is by attending a language school there and obtaining a TESOL certification. The language school will assist you in finding work and making contacts with private companies who are eager for their employees to learn English. The Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) is the most widely recognized teaching certificate in Europe. If you have a CELTA and a degree, the chances of obtaining a higher paying teaching job in Portugal is greatly increased.

Generate contacts through TESOL Web sites (see resources). There are many TESOL Web sites that advertise job openings. These contacts can not only assist with finding employment, but also provide valuable information on living conditions, job availability and additional area information.