Brazil prostitutes learn English for Nigerians, others

Nigerian football fans at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil will likely not have difficulty negotiating for sex during the tournament as the host county’s prostitutes have started English lessons in order to serve clients better.

The Super Eagles feature in the competition as African champions, playing in Group B alongside Spain, Uruguay and Tahiti.

Nigeria are the only English-speaking nation in the tournament, raising suspicion that the sex pros are actually waiting warmly to welcome the West Africans next month.

According to AFP, Belo Horizonte, venue of Nigeria’s first match against Tahiti, has 80,000 sex workers who are counting on brisk business as authorities predict 40,000 tourists will be in town during the tournament.

An estimated 140,000 tourists are expected to follow for the 2014 World Cup.

With that in mind, the Association of Prostitutes has been offering free English classes to its members at a local mall since March.

“We teach basic expressions but also have demonstrations with erotic paraphernalia so they can learn the names, how to use them and propose them,” said Igor Fuchs, a volunteer who also teaches Spanish and French.

So far, 300 prostitutes have signed up.

“Tourists are going to flock here and those who come from abroad like to spend,” said 26-year-old Vitoria, as she waited for work at one of many sex motels on busy Guaicurus Street.

On average, she sees 20 customers a day in her tiny room, with 15-minute sessions costing between $10 and $25.

But not all are sold on the need to speak English – or any other foreign language for that matter.

“I know basic words such as ‘good morning’ and ‘condom’,” said 31-year-old Juliana across the street.

“For the rest, I get by with gestures. All men are the same. They come for the same thing. No need for words.”

Belo Horizonte is not the only Brazilian city taking steps to beef up its sex industry offerings ahead of the World Cup, which will be followed by the 2016 Summer Olympics.