Why you should learn it: Portuguese is the world’s 8th most widely spoken language, the 3rd most spoken in the Western hemisphere, and the official language of Brazil. A former Portuguese colony today known for its magnificent beaches, beautiful people, and Carnaval, Brazil is the only BRIC country in the Western hemisphere. It is also home to South America’s largest population (5th largest on earth), and one of the world’s fastest growing and most dynamic economies. Currently the 10th largest trading partner of the US – and quickly moving up the rankings – Brazil is ready to assume its place among the leading nations of the world.
Brazilian opportunities are everywhere. However, in order to capture those opportunities, you’ve got to speak the language. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s “cidade maravilhosa” (Marvelous City), which plays host to the 2012 World Cup and 2014 Olympics, is also home to our BRIC language guides. This ensures that you are learning today’s Brazilian Portuguese. You will need determination and dedication in order to master the language but it can be done. Speaking Portuguese will gain you the respect of your Brazilian colleagues, business partners, and friends. It will open doors you never knew existed and expose you to the seductive and fast growing world of Brazilian business. Sign up for a free online evaluation today and start building your future…one BRIC at a time.
Other than for complete beginners, your BLOC Level will be determined by your Language Guide and Course Consultant following your free evaluation/course consultation. The decision on how many hours you would like to purchase is up to you.
A1: Foundation Level 1: Breakthrough / Beginner – Basic Needs (48 hours)
Required Brazilian Portuguese Level: You have never taken Brazilian Portuguese or may know just a few words. Even if you have taken classes before this is a good refresher course.
- FOCUS: Understand and use everyday expressions and basic phrases with a focus on satisfaction of basic needs.
- TOPICS: Greetings, where you’re from, who you know, at the office, the beach, ordering food, likes and dislikes, athletic clubs, taking a taxi & giving directions, surfing, football, rent, Rio life.
- YOU WILL: be comfortable, not all conversations will be easy, many you won’t be able to have, but you’ll have what you need to get by. You’ll know 300-480 words, 45-60 sentence structures, basic grammar, and be able to have simple conversations with Brazilian Portuguese speakers.
A2: Foundation Level 2: Waystage / Elementary – Listening Comprehension (48 hours)
Required Brazilian Portuguese Level: You can already use simple sentences.
- FOCUS: Understanding sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of importance.
- TOPICS: Personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment, appearance, personality, making phone calls, giving directions, different business types, expatriate clubs.
- YOU’LL KNOW: Approximately 700 new words and have improved listening and speaking comprehension. You will be able to communicate background information, your surrounding environment, and immediate needs in a simple and direct way.
B1: Lower Mid-Levels: Threshold / Pre-Intermediate – Extended Conversations (48 hours)
Required Brazilian Portuguese Level: You are already fluent in some basic conversations but struggle to find the right words in all conversations, there are some conversations you still can’t have.
- FOCUS: Intermediate vocabulary and language structures, expanded cultural knowledge, and stronger communication skills.
- TOPICS: Giving and receiving information effectively, describing tasks and chores, offering advice, work, school, leisure, travel, airports, train stations, football games, world cup.
- YOU’LL KNOW: How to hold extended conversations in daily life while communicating more like a local. You can handle most travel situations, describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes, ambitions and briefly explain opinions and business plans.
B2: Central Mid-Levels: Vantage / Intermediate – Extended Conversations (48 hours)
Required Brazilian Portuguese Level: you are able to participate in most daily and business conversations, can hold business meetings, and are familiar with local business customs.
- FOCUS: Improving fluency and speed while building a concrete knowledge of technical discussions related to your field.
- TOPICS: Expressing opinions and emotions, Olympics, holding meetings, manufacturing, quality control, finance.
- YOU’LL KNOW: How to speak with a fluency that makes interaction with locals easy and interesting. You can open, hold, and close meetings and debate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats your business is facing.
C1: Business Elite 1: Effective Operational Proficiency / Upper Intermediate – Business & Social Networking (48 hours)
Required Brazilian Portuguese Level: Passed Central Mid-Levels: You speak Brazilian Portuguese at an intermediate level but want to develop language skills that will allow you to successfully expand your business in Brazil.
- FOCUS: Language barrier removal and development of skills for day-to-day business communications. Understanding wide ranging subjects while recognizing the subtleties of the language.
- TOPICS: Appropriate verbal communication inside and outside the workplace. Introductions, meetings, conference calls, extending invitations, and business dinners. Customized based on your personal and professional needs.
- YOU’LL KNOW: Useful phrases for polite business interaction, how to network, take part in meetings, give speeches and will be capable of producing clear, well-structured, detailed reports on complex subjects. You will be able to operate comfortably with polished communication skills in business, social, and academic settings.
C2: Business Elite 2: Mastery /Advanced – Advanced Business Communication (48 hours and ongoing)
Required Brazilian Portuguese Level: Passed Business Elite I: You speak Brazilian Portuguese at an advanced level and can operate in all situations.
- FOCUS: Develop knowledge of the principles and cultural subtleties of modern business and understand virtually everything heard and read.
- TOPICS: Industry-specific vocabulary and discussions. i.e., business news, International trade, finance, manufacturing, marketing, real estate, customer service, HR.
- YOU’LL KNOW: How to chair meetings, develop customer relationships, and give speeches and toasts. You will be able to express yourself in a precise way taking into account cultural subtleties even in the most complex environments.
Recommended Schedule: 2 Hours per day, 6 days over the course of 2 weeks.
Required Brazilian Portuguese Level: You have not taken Portuguese and will be travelling through Latin America and want to be able to get around on your own but don’t need to be fluent.
- FOCUS: You will not only cover the basics, but you will learn about modern Mexican culture, the habits and customs of the people, and geography and history of the places you will visit.
- TOPICS: Navigating airports, train stations, metro systems, bus stations, taxis, hotels, and restaurants.
Recommended Schedule: Two Hours per day for 12 days, over the course of 3 weeks.
If you want to learn simple Brazilian Portuguese fast, this is the quickest way.
- FOCUS: You will not only cover the basics, but you will learn about modern Mexican culture, the habits and customs of the people, and geography and history of the places you will visit.
- TOPICS: greetings, asking basic questions, getting directions, getting around, money, time / date, ordering food, making conversation in a restaurant/store/hotel, and travel including airports, bus terminals, taxis, and metro and train stations. This course also includes all the Portuguese (Phonetics) including some irregular pronunciation rules.
