This intensive course is for language learners striving toward the B1 level.
My suggestion* for these two weeks is to focus on:
*There's always room to adjust the course according to the group's preferences:
After this course, you'll have come closer to the B1 level and have the tools and strategies to get there and beyond.
Not sure if you should enroll in the A2 or B1 course?
Geared toward Absolute Beginners, this course gives you a solid start and foundation to build upon.
This is an introductory course to the Portuguese language as spoken in Portugal. Throughout the course, we will focus on the Portuguese sound system and basic Portuguese grammar.
You will also learn how to introduce yourself and day-to-day, useful phrases. Finally, we will discuss learning resources and strategies to support your learning journey.
After the course, you will have a basic understanding of European Portuguese pronunciation and grammar. You will also be capable of engaging in simple, short oral interactions. Last but not least, you will be aware of a variety of learning resources and strategies to help you succeed at learning the language.
I will keep you updated on upcoming course seasons
This intensive course is for language learners striving toward the A2 level.
My suggestion* for these two weeks is to focus on:
*There's always room to adjust the course according to the group's preferences:
After this course, you'll have come closer to the A2 level and have the tools and strategies to get there and beyond.
Not sure if you should enroll in the A2 or B1 course?
This intensive course is for language learners striving toward the A1 level.
If you have just started your learning journey, you may find this course too challenging. Consider enrolling for the Clean Slate A0 instead (if available).
This is an all-round course, meaning that we’ll work on all aspects of language learning (at the A1 level):
After this course, you'll have come closer to the A1 level and have the tools and strategies to get there and beyond.
Not sure if you should enroll in the A1 or A2 course?
Yes. In order to obtain Portuguese permanent residency or citizenship, you need to prove basic knowledge of the Portuguese language by taking the CIPLE exam.
The CIPLE exam tests language proficiency in Portuguese at the basic A2 level and is mandatory* for anyone applying for a Portuguese permanent residence permit or citizenship.
The CIPLE acronym stands for Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira (Initial Certificate of Portuguese as a Foreign Language).
*There are a few exceptions. For instance, it is possible to become a citizen through marriage to a Portuguese national or through naturalization.
According to CEFR*, the A2 level implies language skills in your target language at an elementary level. Here’s an elaborate description of the A2-level provided given by CEFR itself:
[The student] can 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). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
* CEFR stands for Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and is an international standard for describing language proficiency, namely through a scale that goes from A1 and A2 (Basic level) to B1 and B2 (intermediate level) to C1 and C2 (advanced level). Click here (external link) if you want to learn more about CEFR.
The CIPLE exam is 2 hours long and divided into 3 components:
Here’s what the final grading looks like:
For more details, visit CIPLE’s webpage.
The CIPLE exam is administered by CAPLE* (Centro de Avaliação e Certificação de Português Língua Estrangeira) and a number of different CAPLE-certified centers around the world.
For more information about CIPLE-exam dates and registration, visit CAPLE/CIPLE webpage.
*CAPLE is an autonomous unit of the School of Arts and Humanities of the University of Lisbon (Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Lisboa). CAPLE and its certified centers are the only recognized entities for certifying language proficiency in Portuguese.
All-round Beginners A1 is a comprehensive online course and definitely an excellent choice to get started. Throughout its 6 modules, you’ll immerse in several lexical topics and gain a solid foundation in Portuguese grammar and pronunciation. Learn more about All-round Beginners A1 here.
There are of course other competent resources out there. Here’s an article on learning resources (European standard specific) for you to explore: Learn Portuguese Online – Best Resources for Beginners and Beyond.
Finally, make sure that you adopt sound learning strategies – you’d be surprised how much they can positively impact your language learning. Here’s your must-read: The Best Way to Learn Portuguese: Key Strategies to Become Fluent.
Break Free from the Tyranny of the Present Tense
Stay tuned for upcoming online courses and other learning materials.