That puts many Brazilians living in favelas, or shanty towns, at an increased disadvantage.
At least, it did - until Favela Phoenix entered the scene.
Around a quarter of a million people live in Rocinha, the largest favela in Brazil.
But the people of Rocinha had not seen anything like Jody King's new school before he came along.
"I've opened an English school here in Rocinha favela. It's been open for a year. It's free for the locals to learn English in."
Mr King, from Cornwell in England, has named his school Favela Phoenix.
It started with 12 students and now has around 120 adults and 50 children.
International and local volunteers, like Vanessa Rufino, run most of the classes.
"I'm in the adults class, and my daughter is in the children's class. It's a great opportunity for me and for my daughter, too, because I didn't have this kind of opportunity when I was younger. And it's for my trade, because I work as a merchant on the beach."
Fundraisers, donations and 40 per cent of the money made on Jody King's favela tours goes into the project.
A full-time teacher takes care of the beginner and intermediate adult classes.
Mr King says English is vital for the people of the favelas.
"It's really important that people speak English in Rio, you know? Eighty per cent of all money generated in Rio is made through tourism."
Mirla Rodrigues is a local volunteer.
She has been with Favela Phoenix for several months now.
"Rocinha is the place where I grew up, and I learned a lot here as well. They say that we have the world knowledge and not so much the school knowledge, and that's real, that's true, because we are exposed to things that no-one, as a child, would want."
The violent images accompanying police operations, the notorious stereotype of favelas and few positive international reports mean many tourists avoid such areas of Brazil.
Jody King says he finds it unfair.
"What I have found is the favelas are extremely misunderstood places. A lot of people think that the favelas in Rio are the dangerous places, and the places to avoid, and it's really quite far from the truth. Of course, we have thieves that live in the favelas, but they are specifically told, 'If you want to rob someone, go to Copacabana, go to Ipanema, go rob the tourists in wealthy areas down there,' which kind of makes sense, I guess, because that's where the money is. So, actually, it creates a pretty safe place to live in here in the favela and a very nice community bubble."
As Favela Phoenix continues to expand, with new students signing up virtually every other day, more international volunteers will be needed.
For local volunteers like Mirla Rodrigues, it is all about helping her community grow and helping the misunderstood people within it succeed.
"If you don't speak English, you don't even have the beginning of what companies and the markets are asking for. I know that people here, there are a lot of good people here, and they are just missing opportunities. So that's why I am here. Like, if I can help them, why not, you know?"
