General Questions
Is Portuguese difficult to learn?Other articles that share this point of view that Portuguese is a very learnable language:
- Seven Easiest Languages to Learn for English Speakers<
- 9 Easy Languages for English Speakers
- How To: Use Your Spanish to Learn Portuguese
We encourage you to try for yourself!
The quality and variety of class materials that we use cannot be found in any other Portuguese language course. We use our exclusive original content workbook in combination with materials from textbooks, the web, and other resources. There is no additional charge for the materials. We believe that you will learn better by using a variety of learning tools.
With that said, if you are interested in buying a book, we have a review of the best books to learn Portuguese on our site.You will also find a list of additional materials including books, movies, and CDs at our Online Amazon Store.
You can take classes whenever you have time to fit them in your schedule. When you choose one-on-one lessons, you can set your pace. With that said, consistency and practice are key to learning and developing fluency. We recommend starting with at least 1 hour per week. Practicing regularly between meetings will speed up the learning process.
If you are getting ready to take the Celpe-Bras exam, how often you take classes will depend on how soon your test is and how advanced your Portuguese is.
You can easily book your lessons online.
We offer classes virtually any day, any time because we have instructors in different time zones.
To give you even more flexibility, you can book your lessons with any of our instructors. We all share class reports to ensure that there is continuity between lessons even if you are booking them with different teachers.
Upon purchase of any of our classes, you will get a link to our online scheduling tool.
There are differences in pronunciation and grammar between Brazilian Portuguese and Continental Portuguese. The main difference is in pronunciation. Imagine a foreigner learning English in the US and then traveling to England or Australia. This person will need to adjust to how the language sounds in the new country. The same is true for Brazilian and European Portuguese.
For additional insight into this issue, we recommend reading the blog posts below. They were written by an American who learned Brazilian Portuguese and then moved to Portugal:
- Portuguese Life – Differences Between Brazilian and Continental Portuguese
- Pray for My Portuguese
- Portuguese Life – Part 2
The best way to choose which language you should learn is by considering who you will be communicating with when using the language. If you will be communicating with Brazilians, then Brazilian Portuguese would be the best option.
When you take one-on-one lessons with us, we guarantee that we will customize our program to match your proficiency level and attend to your goals. One-on-one lessons are the fastest way to learn: You learn what you want and at your own pace.
For group classes, please take a look at the course program to ensure that it is what you are looking for. Knowing what you will learn and practice is much more empowering than identifying your language level through a test, especially considering that level classifications vary drastically from one school or method to another.
If you are interested in a conversation group, please contact us to schedule a free consultation. We will help you assess if the group is a good fit for you.
For one-on-one lessons, you need to inform us of any cancelations or changes in schedule at least 48 hours before your class. This is because last-minute notices do not allow us to fill the time slot saved for you. Please call or send a text message directly to your instructor if you need to cancel or change a class. More advance notice is appreciated. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm Pacific.
Lessons canceled without a 48-hour advance notice will be charged. No-shows will be charged.
When you cancel a lesson with 48-hour notice you have a nonrefundable credit for a makeup class. Credits are valid for 45 days from the original date of the cancelled lesson. After 45 days credits will be forfeited. This applies to all payment plans.
Group Classes
Can I audit a group class?- Visit our blog. There you will find cultural tips and video lessons that cover both vocabulary and grammar topics.
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Watch our visit lessons and explore our Playlists. They include music, news, and more.
- Join our Facebook community. Every day we post colloquial vocabulary, language tips, music, news, and events there.
About Subscriptions
If I choose the subscription option to enjoy lower rates, how do I cancel my subscription later on?You can end your subscription at any time. You can log into your account and cancel yourself, or you can write to us and request cancellation. But please remember that subscriptions run for a minimum period of two months.
Absence from class does not constitute notice of withdrawal/termination.
Informing your instructor of your intention to stop classes or change your subscription does not constitute notice of withdrawal/termination.
Celpe-Bras
What proficiency level do I need in order take the Celpe-Bras Preparation Course?- Written part (3 hours): You will write four essays, two based on readings and two based on listening skills (one with audio and one with video)
- Speaking part (20 minutes): Conversations about general interest topics based on pictures and headlines
Intermediate level is required to enroll in this program. If you are working to achieve intermediate Portuguese skills, please refer to our regular programs.
If you have questions about your proficiency level, contact us to schedule a consultation.
God help the World Cup visitor who doesn’t speak Portuguese.
The message was tweeted by an American who had been living in Brazil for 5 years.
Communication in Brazil can be very challenging if you don’t have any Portuguese. If you are traveling as a tourist, don’t expect people on the streets to speak any English. Bus and taxi drivers, waiters, bank tellers – in other words, the people you tend to ask for help and information – don’t usually know English.
How many lessons you need to get the basics depends on your goals and what you already know. If you are a beginner Portuguese speaker, we recommend a package with 10 hours.
You will be surprised how even a little Portuguese can make a big difference in your travel experience.