Portuguese Language and Brazilian Culture for Foreigners
Welcome to ESPM’s Portuguese Language & Brazilian Culture Course!
Are you ready to immerse yourself in the language and cultura of one the world’s most vibrant countries? Join our on-campus Portuguese Language Course designed specifically for foreigners students. Whether you choose our intensive program in July or our extensive semester-long course, you’ll experience the unique combination of language learning and a deep dive into Brazilian culture.
Portuguese Language Course
Our Portuguese Language and Brazilian Culture (A1 Level) course offers an engaging, comprehensive introduction to the Portuguese language and Brazil’s rich cultural context. These two components are taught together, ensuring that students can immediately apply language skills while exploring cultural topics.
Workload:
72 hours of contact classes, comprising 54 hours dedicated to Portuguese language studies and 18 hours focused on Brazilian culture.
Who Should Enroll?
This course is ideal for foreigners with little to no formal background in Portuguese. Our focus is on building core language skills—speaking, writing, reading, and listening—aligned with the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). You will also explore Brazilian traditions, geography, history, and social values, all through the lens of cultural immersion.
Course Objectives:
1. Knowledge
By the end of the course, students will be familiar with basic grammar, vocabulary, communicative functions, and socio-cultural aspects of Brazilian Portuguese. You will have a solid foundation to transition from beginner to A2 proficiency, especially in the extensive format.
2. Skills
You’ll be able to:
- Understand and use common expressions.
- Engage in simple conversations about personal information, family, work, and daily life.
- Interact effectively with native speakers who are patient and willing to assist.
3. Attitudes
Students will be encouraged to further explore Brazilian Portuguese through self-study techniques like reading, listening to music, and watching Brazilian media.
Program Options
Course Information
Course Materials:
All materials are custom-made by our instructors to meet the course objectives.
Teaching Approach:
Our methodology combines interactive lessons with active student participation. You’ll engage with oral and written texts, grammatical exercises, and dialogues that simulate real-life communication. Plus, we incorporate Brazilian songs and cultural activities to deepen your understanding.
Portuguese Language Lesson Plan
| Unit | Communicative Functions | Grammar | Vocabulary | Socio-Cultural Aspects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introducing yourself, asking for personal info | Alphabet, pronouns, verb conjugation (ser, ter) | Greetings, personal info, nationalities | Countries where Portuguese is spoken, Brazilian states |
| 2 | Discussing residence, introducing others | Verb regency (morar), articles, demonstratives | Address, phone number, email | Formal vs. informal greetings in Brazil |
| 3 | Talking about the present | Regular/irregular verbs, telling time | Time expressions | Brazilians’ relationship with time |
| 4 | Ordering in restaurants | Using “querer” for offers | Food vocabulary | Brazilian dining habits |
| 5 | Discussing daily routines | Present tense verbs | Days of the week, months | Daily life in São Paulo |
Note: Minor changes may occur in the lesson plan.
Brazilian Culture Course
This course explores Brazilian culture through a decolonial lens, offering a critical perspective on Brazil’s multicultural and multiethnic society, its colonial past, and the challenges Brazil faces today.
Course Objectives:
The goal is to give exchange students a deep, nuanced understanding of Brazilian cultural diversity, free from stereotypes, and to build their cross-cultural skills.
Brazilian Culture Lesson Plan
| Unit | Title | Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Brazil is not for beginners”: Pluralism & Complexity | Complexity theory, historical aspects, contemporary issues in business, politics, environment |
| 2 | Brazilian Cultures: Diversity & Creativity | Geography, music, cinema, arts, literature |
| 3 | Decolonial Theory & 21st Century Brazil | Colonial legacy, racism, feminism |
| 4 | Closing Session | Final presentation: “Brazil through My Eyes” |
Note: Minor changes may occur.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Applications for the Portuguese Language and Brazilian Culture course will open soon!
Stay tuned for details and make sure to apply by the deadline to secure your place in this enriching program.