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Teaching Jobs in Portugal

Does the name Ferdinand Magellan ring a bell? This Portuguese explorer led the first voyage around the world (Well, he didn’t make the full voyage, but at least he had the Magellanic Penguin in South America named after him). You too will be bit by the Portuguese travel bug after journeying to teach in this little nation. Feel the mournful longing expressed by fado singers, explore the birthplace of Cristiano Ronaldo, and stand in line for scrumptious pastéis de nata on your morning break. Teaching can be stressful, but Portugal will show you work-life balance done right.
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2 Teaching Jobs in Portugal

International TEFL Academy

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Get Paid to Teach English Abroad in Portugal with a TEFL/TESOL Certification

A job teaching English in Portugal is a fantastic way to live overseas and get paid to travel the world! Armed with an International TEFL Academy TEFL TESOL certification, you will be able to work abroad teaching English while getting paid. After taking our course, you can quickly begin working in major cities throughout Lisbon, Portugal, Europe and the rest of the world. Teaching English overseas not just an opportunity to work abroad, it is the chance to truly immerse yourself in a new culture, experience a different way of life, build friendships that will last a lifetime and discover your own potential. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is the industry terms for a professional English language teacher in a foreign country. While teaching English abroad in Portugal, you'll have the opportunity to experience a land, its people, and culture firsthand, see the sights and sample the local cuisine, and make friends you'll have for a lifetime. Whether it's Asia, Latin America, Europe, or somewhere in between - International TEFL Academy can be the gateway to making your travel dreams a reality. Successful International TEFL Academy English teachers are true global citizens. They are comfortable with, and excited about, genuine intercultural exchange. They embrace opportunities to share their own cultural identity with others, and to immerse themselves in new and different worlds. While neither previous teaching experience or foreign language skills are required, all International TEFL Academy Teachers must possess excellent native-level English, excitement to live around the world, and a willingness to become dedicated English teachers to their students abroad. To become qualified to teach and get paid as a language instructor abroad, you will need to become TEFL / TESOL Certified. Our 180-hour course provides the world standard in TEFL TESOL certification. You will complete 180 hours of curriculum combined with an additional 20 hours of in-person, hands-on experience. Once you've completed your certification with us, we'll help you with LIFETIME job placement assistance with our accredited TEFL TESOL certification. Lifetime job placement assistance is guaranteed for all of our International TEFL Academy graduates. We will show you all the steps necessary to find a full time paid English teaching jobs in Europe, Latin American, Asia or Middle East. What sets International TEFL Academy apart from the other quality TEFL TESOL providers is that International TEFL Academy gives you an exclusive, lifetime, pro-active Lifetime Job Placement Assistance Program that helps you get teaching jobs worldwide. International TEFL Academy has a database of almost 8,000 schools and agencies around the world. Our job is to teach you everything about country work requirements, how to interview, salaries, hiring seasons and much more. Your job will be to sell your stuff, hop a flight and go on the adventure of a lifetime teaching English abroad!

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

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Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

A Guide to Teaching Abroad in Portugal

Locations

Portugal has a warm, Mediterranean climate and wet winters, with most of the larger cities lying on the coast. There’s more to do in the cities, but the cost of living is higher, so if you teach in Portugal in more rural areas, you’ll enjoy a slower pace of life and less temptation to speak English.

Lisbon. As the largest city, the capital offers the highest concentration of opportunities to teach English in Portugal. It’s one of the world’s oldest cities, centuries older than London or Paris, and history is practically seeping through the tiles on the walls. Take a stroll through its winding, cobblestone streets (or hitch a ride on a Golden Tram) to The Bertrand Bookstore, known as the oldest bookstore in the world. After a long day of teaching in Lisbon, head to the relaxed, colorful Clube de Fado and absorb the bittersweet melancholy of live fado performances.

Porto boasts one of the oldest European centers, and its historical core was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The People of Porto are proud of their history and aren’t afraid to let loose during festivals like Festa de São João do Porto held each June; this is the only time of the year when it is socially acceptable for participants to hit each other on the head with garlic flowers, limp leeks, or soft plastic hammers. It’s an odd tradition, dating back to pagan courtship rituals, which we can’t really explain, but highly recommend partaking in.

Funchal. This is the capital of Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira. It’s a mountainous island in the Atlantic that attracts teachers and tourists alike to its sparkling waters. Back in the day, Funchal’s economy depended on growing fennel (and was a strategic pirate pit stop). Now, instead of buccaneers, the city attracts visitors who come to enjoy its world-record New Year’s Eve fireworks display. Every other day of the year, the crystalline waters beckon vacationers.

Portugal’s economy is pretty stable, although unemployment has grown recently. With the rise in tourism, there has been a growing demand for teachers, especially those who wish to teach English in Portugal. Not to mention, there are ten times more private languages schools than there were at the end of the 1990s.

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Latest Program Reviews

Three weeks volunteering in Siem Reap

August 11, 2025by: Olivia Aurora Lamassa - SwitzerlandProgram: Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!
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I spent three weeks volunteering at Salariin Kampuchea Learning Center in Siem Reap, where I helped teach English to younger students and supported the development of their social media presence. It was one of the most enriching experiences I’ve ever had. Some days were more challenging than others—adapting to a new environment and finding ways to communicate across cultures. But what I’ll carry with me, more than anything, is the deep sense of connection I felt with the people. I can confidently say I’ve grown and learned so much, and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for. Living and working within the local community gave me a complete perspective shift. I was struck by their warmth and generosity, and the quiet strength with which they face life. From the very beginning, I felt welcomed. The children, the staff, and my host family made me feel included from the start, making it easy to feel at home throughout my time there

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