Learn Portuguese in Brazil

A Guide to Studying Portuguese in Brazil

Arrange an incredible experience to live and learn Portuguese abroad in Brazil. Maybe you are looking to boost a career, enhance your education or you just want a better way to interact with locals whilst experiencing a different culture - there are so many benefits of booking a class in Brazil.

Some agencies and language schools offer packages which include accommodation, airport pick-up, in-country support, activities/excursions and also combo experiences like capoeira, music lessons and volunteer programs. Classes can be joined anytime throughout the year and booked in advance. This is a great opportunity if you would like to spend your gap year in Brazil and do something productive, if you have an interest in languages or you would like to work in Brazil.

If you are a complete beginner or already know the basics, you can find a course from the best Portuguese language schools in the country. On our guide you will get information on the best places to study, the cheapest place to take a course, read reviews and also get recommendations for the best language schools in the country.

Top Rated Destinations to Learn Portuguese in Brazil

There are so many different locations you can go, here are our top recommendations for the best places to learn Portuguese in Brazil:

• Rio de Janeiro
• Sao Paulo
• Salvador da Bahia
• Florianópolis
• Natal
• Maceió
• Olinda
• Recife
• Belo Horizonte
• Porto Alegre
• Brasilia
• Fortaleza
• Curitiba
• Campinas
• Manaus
• Vale do Paraiba e Litoral Norte

Best Portuguese Language Schools in Brazil

There are lots of langage schools located throughout the country and these are top rated: 

• Caminhos Language Centre offer private and group Portuguese lessons in Rio de Janeiro and can also arrange accommodation, activities and volunteer placements.
• Olinda Portuguese language school offer group and private courses and combo volunteer programs in Recife
• Berlitz International Inc., has a number of language schools in São Paulo city/state, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Curitiba, Porto Alegre and Fortaleza
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange), offers university level Portuguese courses and student exchanges at universities in São Paulo and Salvador.
• Step1 Idiomas, Florianópolis
• The Language Club, Florianópolis
• GoBrazil, Maceió
• Básica Língua, Salvador
• Dialogo Language School, Salvador
• Idioma - Escola De Português, Salvador

Types of Classes 

There are Portuguese for solo students, adults, seniors, teenagers and families. So whether you are a complete beginner, or know the basics or are keen to master an advanced level you will be able to find a classroom course. There are also professional courses related to business and medicine and culture combo courses e.g. dance lessons or volunteer programs in Brazil. Private language classes can also be booked at an extra cost.

Teachers aim to build fluency and accuracy in verbal communication, concentrating on listening and speaking activities, backed up with writing and reading activities to build capability and advanced grammatical understanding. By the end of a course you will:

• Have developed your ability in conversational Brazilian Portuguese to the point where you can converse on most subjects
• Be able to express opinions and discuss the points of view of others
• Have increased your level of accuracy in communication
• Have a good understanding of advanced grammatical structures
• Have extended your knowledge of Brazil and the local culture

Beginners Courses 

Course aim to introduce you to the basics of the Brazilian Portuguese language with an introduction to structure, grammar and key phrases. Students should be able to: introduce themselves, spell words, give some personal information about their daily routines and hobbies, describe and identify people, order in a restaurant, book a room in a hotel and buy items in a shop.

Intermediate Courses

The course aims to build upon students’ knowledge of the Poruguese language developing structure, grammar and key phrases. Students should be able to: understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment), communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters and describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

Advanced Courses

These courses aim to build towards fluency and accuracy in verbal communication, concentrating on listening and speaking activities, backed up with writing and reading activities to build capability and advanced grammatical understanding.

Reviews & Testimonials

If you have ever joined a Portuguese course in Brazil and would like to write about your experience, review a company or share any recommendations please contact us.

"I was traveling in Brazil and decided to do a language course as my Portuguese was so bad. I did a intensive group course which was very cheap and also a lot of fun. Once you pick up the basics you will fly by and also living in the country makes it a lot easier as you can practise every day. I loved visited so much that I decided to go back, I'm now teaching English in Brazil and I'm not planning on returning anytime soon." - Emily, UK