Senior School Teacher of Portuguese (French desirable)

General

We are seeking a well-qualified, enthusiastic, committed, and inspirational Teacher of Portuguese for the Senior School. The ability to teach French would be an advantage. The successful candidate should hold a relevant university degree (Licenciatura from a Brazilian university) and have experience working with pupils in the senior age range. Creativity, a passion for teaching, and a pupil-centred approach are essential. All teachers at our school are expected to fully engage in the life of the school, pursue professional development opportunities, and contribute to St. Paul’s continued reputation for academic excellence.

About us:

St. Paul’s was founded in 1926 and was the first school in South America to receive accreditation from the UK government as a British School Oversees. Fully coeducational, with about 1,000 pupils, aged from 3 to 18, it is a school with history and tradition, but which embraces innovation, contemporary values and the latest in digital learning. We are a world-class school, and an international member of HMC and IAPS, and a member of COBIS and the LAHC. We are proud of our local, national and international reputation and we constantly strive to improve the opportunities for our pupils and staff. Our recent BSO inspection judged us as a leading British School overseas, and you can download the report from our website. Our exceptional facilities place teaching and learning at the heart of the school.

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More details about the school can be found at www.stpauls.br

Role Overview

As a Teacher of Portuguese, you will deliver engaging and high-quality lessons that inspire pupils and foster a love for the Portuguese language and literature. You will help pupils develop strong linguistic skills, critical thinking, and a deep appreciation of Portuguese-speaking cultures.

All lessons must be taught in Portuguese, although fluency in English is essential for day-to-day communication with colleagues and families.

French is introduced in Form 1 and continues through the Senior School. In Forms 4 and 5 (UK NC Key Stage 4), pupils follow the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum. All pupils sit Portuguese IGCSE (as either a first or second language), and many choose to take French and/or Spanish as additional IGCSEs – both are popular options, with up to 20 pupils per language per year group. In the Sixth Form, IB Diploma courses are offered in French B, Spanish B, and Portuguese Language A and B. Most of our pupils are natural linguists, and nearly all are awarded the bilingual diploma at the end of Form 6.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching and Learning

• Plan and deliver high-quality, engaging lessons tailored to different learning styles and abilities.

• Encourage intellectual curiosity and linguistic proficiency in Portuguese.

• Foster an inclusive, safe, and stimulating classroom environment.

• Implement effective differentiation strategies to support all learners.

Professional Collaboration and Development

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to develop and strengthen the Portuguese curriculum.

• Actively participate in departmental and staff meetings, contributing to academic initiatives.

• Engage in ongoing professional learning to remain up to date with best practices in language teaching.

Communication and Pastoral Care

• Maintain clear and regular communication with parents about pupil progress and curriculum matters.

• Provide pastoral support and guidance to pupils, encouraging both academic and personal growth.

Application Details

Please ensure your entire application is in English. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, and the school reserves the right to appoint at any time.

Position required for August 2025.

Our benefits

• Health insurance

• Dental plan

• Pension plan

• Onsite lunches

• Food card

• Transportation tickets

Safeguarding

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The offer of the role would be made subject to receipt of satisfactory references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification checks and other safeguarding checks (including Internet and Social Media profiles and exposure), an overseas check if appropriate and a pre-placement medical assessment. Proof of entitlement to work in Brazil is also required where necessary.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

St Paul’s is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We recognise the value of diverse environments and strive to promote a culture in which all pupils, staff and members of the school community are welcomed and supported to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background or personal characteristics. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair treatment, embarrassment, discrimination, bullying and harassment.

• A university degree in Letras or equivalent (Portuguese required; French desirable).

• A certified teaching qualification, e.g. Licenciatura from a Brazilian university.

• High proficiency in English.

• Proven experience teaching Portuguese at senior school level.

• A passion for teaching and the ability to inspire and engage pupils.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Knowledge of current teaching strategies and curriculum development in language education.

• Commitment to continuous professional growth.

• Confident use of ICT for teaching and administration.