Discover the Best Portuguese Classes Near Me
Portugal is a small European country on the Iberian Peninsula that boasts gorgeous coastlines, ancient architecture, and delicious cuisine. The official language of Portugal is Portuguese, which is the fifth most-spoken language in the world. Portuguese is widely spoken even in regions where it is not considered an official language, such as Asia and parts of Africa. Portuguese is one of the remaining Romantic languages, which in all contexts, are derived from Late Latin and Medieval languages. As a result of this linguistic evolution, Portuguese is highly similar in structure to other Romantic languages, such as Spanish or French. The language is known for its rich vowel system, use of masculine and feminine nouns, and variation in dialect, specifically with European Portuguese and South American Portuguese. Coursehorse allows people to easily find Portuguese language classes nearby to find what works best for them.
Why You Should Learn Portuguese
There are ample benefits to learning Portuguese. It is a practical skill that can assist in a job search, open a door to new cultural experiences, and serve as an enjoyable hobby.
Of course, it is an invaluable skill to know multiple languages. Learning the fifth most-spoken language in the world is especially useful as there are many job opportunities where an understanding of the Portuguese language is essential. For example, working in the medical field often requires talking to patients and colleagues from different countries who speak different languages. Understanding Portuguese can also open the door to learning other commonly spoken Romantic languages, such as Spanish, French, or Italian. It is also possible to pick up a side hustle as a part-time translator or tutor, which would allow you to teach others and sharpen your skills while making money. Aside from its usefulness, learning Portuguese is simply a fun, stress-free hobby that each person can approach at their own pace
In addition, learning a new language is a great way to connect with another community by meeting new people, trying new things, and expanding cultural horizons. There are various Portuguese language clubs to meet others interested in learning the language. Similarly, an understanding of the Portuguese language can prove useful when cheering on the Portuguese soccer team or when joining a club. Plus, there are many Portuguese restaurants throughout the United States, which serve traditional Portuguese dishes such as Caldo Verde, Arroz de Pato, and Porco Preto. All in all, learning the Portuguese language opens doors for other fun hobbies such as shared interest clubs, and allows for new cultural experiences, but is also a highly sought-out skill for employers.
5 Ways to Learn Portuguese
Learning Portuguese is a process, but knowing which class style works best for you makes all the difference. Formal classes are the most common way to learn Portuguese as they provide structure and flexibility, but there are also more self-paced ways to learn a language as well. Explore the various ways to learn Portuguese:
- Take an in-person class with a Portuguese instructor, where you can work with other students whose main goal is to master the Portuguese language. Your instructor will instruct the class on grammar, vocabulary, and overall structure of the Portuguese language.
- Enroll in a live online class. This option offers real-time feedback from a Portuguese instructor and peers with the benefit of being remote. Live online courses will cover much of the same material as an in-person class.
- Follow along with a self-paced, on-demand class using online videos or tutorials. Although you won’t have an instructor to answer questions or provide feedback, these courses are often free and widely available.
- Download a language learning application to learn Portuguese at your own pace. These applications are often free or have optional premium memberships. These applications provide stories, games, quizzes, and explanations to learn Portuguese in a self-paced manner.
- Ask a Portuguese speaker in your area to tutor you. Search online for tutoring services, local community centers, and libraries to connect with an experienced Portuguese language speaker to fully immerse yourself in the language.
In-Person Portuguese Classes
In-person Portuguese classes are offered all across the country. Using CourseHorse makes finding these classes easy. There are various locations listed across the country that offer in-person Portuguese classes. In-person classes are beneficial as it’s easy to get direct feedback from an instructor and to practice speaking Portuguese with classmates.
If you want to learn a new language, sharing this passion with others in the classroom will not only be fun and immersive, but it may help you learn the language quicker. Whether your goal is to pick up a useful skill or an enjoyable hobby, enrolling in a Portuguese class is beneficial in many ways.
In San Francisco's Financial District, ABC Languages SF offers an in-person Total Beginner course in the Portuguese language. With small class sizes averaging five students, this provides a comfortable setting to practice speaking, reading, and writing a new language. This course offers 6 or 8-week enrollment options and is intended for students with very little understanding of the Portuguese language.
Residents in the Washington, D.C. area can enjoy learning the Bachata and Merengue with a professional dance instructor through Forever Dancing Ballroom. These two traditional dance styles are incredibly popular in many Portuguese-speaking areas in the world, including Latin America. These dances merged with other popular dance styles, such as the Brazilian zouk. At 20 dollars per class, there is no better way to learn these “club style” basics and is perfect for those with little to no dance experience as it focuses on the fundamentals, such as timing, footwork, and rhythm. You will also dance with a partner in this class, which can help raise awareness of body movement as well as timing and technique.
For those interested in the Portuguese language, learning a Brazilian dance style is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture, as Portuguese is the predominant language in Brazil. The Dance Center Chicago is located on the North Side of the city and offers an Intro to Brazilian Zouk. This dance style is one of the newest and most expressive Latin social dances that is becoming increasingly popular all across the globe. This course is a fun and interactive way to practice basic footwork, connect with your dance partner, and learn how to flow with the music. In addition, this course discusses topics related to the dance, such as basico, lateral, viradinha, simple turns, elastico, and more.
Portuguese is one of the few surviving romantic languages. Others include Spanish, Italian, and French. By understanding the basics of Spanish through courses offered at Santa Monica College, it is possible that learning Portuguese will come more naturally – and vice versa. Located in the Thousand Oaks neighborhood of Malibu, this class is ideal for those with very little knowledge of Spanish. Although there are differences between the Spanish and Portuguese languages, the Latin background they both share makes learning the two languages easier and more enjoyable.
What better way to learn about a culture than to experience the region's flavors? In this Wine Tasting 101 course offered by CocuSocial Cooking Classes in Manhattan, you can learn all about the world of wine with the guidance of an expert Sommelier. The class provides all the wine, equipment, and materials needed to learn about the history of wine and the various wine regions, tasting techniques, flavor profiles, pairings, and characteristics of each wine. There are a myriad of different wines from multiple countries in Europe and Latin America as well as other regions in the world, and perhaps include Portuguese wine as well. Reach out to the CocuSocial Cooking Classes to learn more about specific regions they intend to discuss.
Virtual Portuguese Classes
In-person classes are a great way to learn a new skill while meeting other like-minded individuals, but finding in-person Portuguese classes can prove to be a little challenging depending on the area you live in. There are many live online courses available that can help kickstart your language-learning journey.
However, there are many opportunities to learn Portuguese in a virtual classroom. These virtual courses offer a variety of options regarding class pricing, time commitment, and skill level. By enrolling in an online Portuguese class, you can accomplish your language-learning goals from the comfort of your own home. You will save time on the commute, which means you have more time to practice your Portuguese skills.
Many online courses will provide the necessary materials, such as worksheets or lecture slides; however, it may be necessary to purchase a book to help with the language learning process. Your instructor will provide a syllabus and course materials list that you can easily find in a local bookshop or from an online seller. Here are a few options for online Portuguese classes on CourseHorse.
Fluent City also offers an online beginner Portuguese language class via Zoom. Whether you have previous experience or if you’re completely new to the language, you will be able to understand the basics of this course. This online course is small, with class sizes ranging from six to ten students, and offers an opportunity to speak conversational Brazilian Portuguese with other language learners. This course covers the basics of the language, such as present simple and progressive tenses, number and gender agreement, and the basics of reading and writing Brazilian Portuguese. By the end of the course, you will feel confident in your ability to order a meal or introduce yourself to a native Brazilian Portuguese speaker.
Not all online courses are for beginners. Once you have mastered the basics of the Portuguese language, there are many advancement opportunities. The International School of Languages offers a Portuguese Mastery course through Zoom that is perfect for students who already know some level of the Portuguese language. Students will strengthen their knowledge of sentence structure, vocabulary, and communicative exchanges. Instructors will assist with readings, discussions, and writing assignments to help students develop their intercultural competence.
For those who are already fluent in Spanish, learning Portuguese can be a breeze. ABC Languages offers a Portuguese – Fast Track course through Microsoft Teams. This course is designed for those who are already fluent in another romantic language, such as Spanish, Italian, or frenFrencht who have little to no background in Portuguese. This eight-week course covers the majority of the Portuguese language basics, such as verb tense, negations, vocabulary, questions, and adjectives. This class meets once a week and emphasizes class discussion and practicing conversation in Portuguese. Once you complete the first level, you can advance as far as you wish to achieve your language learning goals.
Private Group Portuguese Classes
Do you have a friend or family member who also wants to learn Portuguese? Perhaps your business is interested in providing Portuguese classes due to an increase in Portuguese speakers in your area. CourseHorse has live online Portuguese courses for private groups to facilitate the learning process and bring the classroom straight to you at any location.
There are private Portuguese lessons available through ABC Languages located in Chelsea, Manhattan. This beginner-level course offers individual in-person lessons and in-person group lessons. In this class, you’ll work with a Portuguese language expert to build your Portuguese skills. ABC Languages uses a customized language program designed with students in mind to help them achieve their language learning goals. As the lessons are private, you will be matched with an instructor based on your skill level.
For those who are just starting to learn a new language, ABC Languages offers online private Portuguese lessons in addition to their in-person courses. Because these lessons are private, the one-on-one course is incredibly interactive and personalized. The course is delivered on Skype with an expert ABC instructor. Students are matched with these instructors based on previous experience, learning needs, and goals. Plus, these courses are ideal for those who require a flexible schedule as instructors are available seven days a week. The “live” classes are a great option because it is still possible to participate in class discussions, ask questions, and get live feedback on your progress.
Preparing for private lessons is simple with CourseHorse. Once you have been matched with an instructor, they will reach out to discuss your learning needs and goals. ABC Languages will then schedule your first session to get you started. Once you have completed the first lesson, you will choose a package that works for you.
After the initial lesson, your language-learning journey begins. For individual online lessons, classes begin at $500. For individual in-person lessons, classes start at $1,260. Group lessons are similar in price, as online lessons start at $600 and in-person lessons begin at $1,680. Additionally, the $50 spent on CourseHorse is deducted from the tuition package. Of course, you can always reach out to ABC Languages to learn more about the various options available.
Booking a private course with CourseHorse is simple. If you are unsure of the exact group size, that is no issue. Plus, booking classes through CourseHorse ensures that your details are secure. Additionally, CourseHorse guarantees the lowest price on classes and offers points for each class you sign up for. These points add up and reduce the cost of the next class. If you are unable to attend a class, no need to worry – you automatically get a bonus class added to your enrollment.
What Will I Need to Learn Portuguese?
Before you start learning Portuguese, you may need to gather a few materials to assist you. These items can be commonly found at bookstores or your local library. You can also find resources online to help with your language-learning journey. Collecting these supplies before starting the course can ensure a smooth transition to the classroom setting. If you enroll in a class, many of these supplies will be provided to you.
Beginner-level textbooks can prove useful when studying and practicing the Portuguese language. There are textbooks specific to European Portuguese or Latin American Portuguese. Many textbooks also have activities or worksheets to complete that will help with understanding basic concepts of the language.
There are mobile applications that millions of people around the world use to practice different languages. Most of these applications are free but offer premium subscriber options. These applications have stories, games, and quizzes to help practice your skills.
A simple notebook to practice writing sentences, conversations, and phrases will prove beneficial when learning a new language. A notebook is also useful when taking notes in class as the act of putting pen to paper helps with memory, but a computer will work just as well for note-taking.
Is it Difficult to Learn Portuguese?
Portuguese is considered a fairly easy language for a native English speaker to learn. As mentioned previously, if you are already fluent or familiar with another romantic language, such as Spanish, Italian, or French, learning Portuguese can be much easier. Ultimately, although learning a new language can be a challenge, it pays off in the end and becomes easier with practice, consistency, and dedication.
