Learning Portuguese with a Focus on Cultural Proficiency

I just got the new issue of The Language Educator, a publication by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). The cover article spoke to my heart: “Focus on cultural proficiency”.

At Street Smart Brazil we are confident in our ability to teach the Portuguese language and develop our clients’ intercultural proficiency. Our Portuguese language instructors are native Brazilian professionals, fluent in English, and college-educated. Some of them live in Brasil. The rest of us grew up in Brazil, visit often, and our families and friends live there. We all have experience living, learning, and working in Brazil. That is what we mean by Street Smart Brazil: We know the language, the culture, and the lifestyle of Brazil.

Intercultural competency is at the core of the Street Smart Brazil approach. Throughout our language program we offer cultural tips and insights to help our clients discover the often invisible cultural differences that can harm relationships and business. It is through cultural proficiency that they can identify and understand what may be holding their relationships and their business back. After all, how effective is a foreign language speaker without cultural proficiency?

But don’t take my word for it. Here is what Street Smart Brazil clients have said about learning the language and culture of Brazil with us:

Street Smart Brazil has impressed me with its professionalism and quality. Not only will your Brazilian Portuguese improve under their instruction but you will learn a lot about Brazilian culture. I could not be happier to continue my language instruction with Street Smart Brazil! – Naomi Soffa

I highly recommend Street Smart Brazil and their teachers. They’ll have you speaking Portuguese in surprisingly little time and you’ll learn a lot about Brazil and its people and culture as well. -Kenneth S.

Very engaging. Provided lots of exercises we could do as a group. The instructor was Brazilian with an American educated background who could relate to both cultures and provide practical examples of the cultural differences. What I found most useful was the discussion about direct/indirect cultures. I did not realize how drastically different they are. Where I would say yes/no, indirect cultures would not. This was startling to me. It will help me listen and communicate more effectively.”
— Team from Loral Space & Communications

More testimonials on our website.

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