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Online Intensive Courses Subs
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Intermediate B1

This intensive course is for language learners striving toward the B1 level. The language of instruction is Portuguese. I will speak in English only if needed.

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My suggestion* for these two weeks is to focus on:

  • Perfeito vs. imperfeito / Subjunctive mood (intro)
  • Reading and listening comprehension
  • Conversation

*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?

Take this placement test

Any questions?

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Clean Slate A0

Geared toward Absolute Beginners, this course gives you a solid start and foundation to build upon. The language of instruction is almost entirely in English.

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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.

Any questions?

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Intensive Courses Upcoming
2

Beginners A2

This intensive course is for language learners striving toward the A2 level. The language of instruction is English/Portuguese, typically in a 35/65 ratio.

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My suggestion* for these two weeks is to focus on:

  • Prepositions
  • Past tense: perfeito vs. imperfeito
  • Listening comprehension and conversation

*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?

Take this placement test

Any questions?

Inquiry

Beginners A1

This intensive course is for language learners striving toward the A1 level. The language of instruction is English/Portuguese, typically in a 70/30 ratio.

If you've just started your learning journey, it may be that you will find this course a bit challenging. Nothing wrong with that.

However, if you think you'd have trouble coping with a challenging learning environment, consider enrolling for the Clean Slate A0 instead (if available).

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This is an all-round course, meaning that we’ll work on all aspects of language learning (at the A1 level):

  • Pronunciation
  • Listening comprehension
  • Reading comprehension
  • Conversation
  • Grammar

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?

Take this placement test

Any questions?

Inquiry

Surprise surprise!

Do you know what constipado means in Portuguese? Probably not what you are thinking...

Get a list of 50+ English-Portuguese False Friends and be surprised.

False Friends
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Para vs. Por in Portuguese – When to Use Either

Often, language learners get confused by the Portuguese prepositions para and por. While it is true that both are prepositions of movement, we use them under different circumstances. 

So, what’s the difference between para and por?

Shortly, para indicates movement with an emphasis on direction and final destination, whereas por suggests a passing-by motion and itinerary. While the former often corresponds to the English preposition “to”, the latter corresponds to either “by” or “through”: 

Para
Esta camioneta vai para Lisboa.
This bus goes to Lisbon. 

Por
A camioneta passa por Leiria. (a caminho de Lisboa)
The bus passes by Leiria. (on its way to Lisbon)

Now, prepositions in general are multifaceted and these two are not exceptions as their usage goes well beyond that of prepositions of movement.

If you want to dive deeper into these and other prepositions, I invite you to take a peek at my in-depth course on Portuguese prepositions: The Big 5.

Below, we’ll look at each of them in greater detail. Read on.

Reading tips! Often, students of Portuguese also feel insecure as to when they should say para vs.  a: Portuguese Prepositions “Para” vs. “A”: Know When to Use Either.

Para

Movement

We use para to indicate movement and mark the direction and final destination:

Ele foi para a escola. 
He went to school.

Este avião vai para a República Checa. 
This plane is bound to the Czech Republic.

Purpose

Besides movement, we also use para to denote intention and purpose:

Eu estou a estudar para arranjar um bom emprego.
I am studying to get a good job.

Recipient

Also, we say para to indicate the recipient:

Este livro é para o André.
This book is for André.

Time

Finally, we use para to indicate the time ahead:

Até para a semana.
I’ll see you next week.

Marquei o restaurante para as 19 horas.
I booked the restaurant for 7pm.

São 15 para as 17 horas.
It’s 15 to 5 pm.

Por

First off, the preposition por contracts with definite articles: 

definite articles oaosas
contracted forms pelo
(por + o)
pela 
(por + a)
pelos 
(por + os)
pelas 
(por + as)

Reading tips! Learn more about Portuguese articles: Portuguese Definite and Indefinite Articles – When to Use Either.

Movement

We use por to indicate passage, or in other words, to denote an on-the-go transitory state. Here are a few examples: 

Hoje de manhã passaste por mim no centro. Não me viste?
This morning you passed me by in the city center. Haven’t you seen me?

Ontem passei pelo supermercado para comprar cerveja.
Yesterday, I dropped by the supermarket to buy some beer.

We also use por when we talk about a route or itinerary: 

Vai por Coimbra, a paisagem é mais agradável.
Go via Coimbra, the landscape is more pleasant.

Ele foi pela estrada nova.
He took the new road.

Place

We use por to denote uncertain, non-specific whereabouts. In other words,  por implies spatial vagueness. It can also convey that the speaker is not so familiar with the place in point:

Ela está a viajar por África.
She’s traveling in África

Ele vive por Lisboa.
He lives somewhere in Lisbon.  

Time

We use por to denote time approximation: 

Ela chega hoje de Paris pelas 13h.
She arrives today from Paris around 3 pm.

Finally, we also use por to refer to a time period:

Ela fica na Suécia por dois anos.
She will stay in Sweden for two years.

Cause

Finally, we use por to indicate a cause (the equivalent of for in English):

Não fui viajar por motivos de saúde.
I didn’t go traveling for health reasons.

Faço isto por ti.
I do this for you.

Obrigado pelo presente.
Thank you for the present.

Reading tips! Learn more about these and other prepositions: Basic Portuguese Prepositions and Contractions: An Inclusive Usage Rundown.

Stay tuned for upcoming courses, reads, and other novelties.

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