Portugal is a country with a population of around 10 million people located on the far western edge of the Iberian Peninsula and it has had a much greater impact on the development of the western world than its diminutive size might initially imply. Indeed, the effect it has had on the world at large, from cultural and culinary contributions to its unfortunate legacy of colonialism, is difficult to overestimate.
No matter why you would like to study here, and no matter how limited your knowledge of the Portuguese language is, Portugal is a great destination to visit. This country has friendly people, and a rich a culture as any in Europe. You cannot go wrong by studying Portuguese in Portugal.
Why Learn Portuguese in Portugal?
When looking to study abroad, Portugal is often overlooked in favour to its much larger neighbour, Spain. But here are some great reasons to go:
- Portuguese is one of the most spoken languages in the world with over 200 million native speakers.
- Get fascinated by the charming sound of the Portuguese language which is easier to learn compared to other languages.
- Choose from a range of cities and destinations, from modern cities to some of the most beautiful beach resorts in Europe.
- Portugal offers great value for money, warm weather and has friendly people.
- Courses can be booked al year round and prices are competitive.
Popular Places to Study
Cities and Regions
- Lisbon
- Porto
- The Algarve
- The Azores
- Madeira
Types of Courses
- Beginners, intermediate and advanced level group classes
- Private courses can be taken for a higher fee.
About Portuguese
The official language of Portugal is Portuguese. Portuguese is today one of the world’s major languages, ranked 6th according to number of native speakers (approximately 240 million). It is the language with the largest number of speakers in South America, spoken by almost all of Brazil’s population. It is also the official language in Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau, East Timor and Macau.
Portuguese is a romance language. Although it may be mutually intelligible with Spanish to a wide extent, it is not identical. Portuguese are proud people and are uneasy when foreigners from non-Spanish speaking countries speak that language when traveling in Portugal. While many words may be spelt almost the same as in Spanish (or Italian), the pronunciation differs considerably. This is because Portuguese has several nasal diphthongs not present in those languages. Although a little Spanish may help, you shouldn’t insist on speaking it.
It is also worth mentioning that pronunciation in Portugal differs significantly from that in Brazil. The difference is basically in pronunciation and a few vocabulary differences, which make it tricky even for Brazilians to understand the European Portuguese accent, although not vice versa because Brazilian pop culture (soap opera and pop music, for instance) is very popular in Portugal. Nevertheless, the current media has made these difficulties in understanding each others accent irrelevant.
Is Portuguese from Portugal Difficult to Learn?
The Portuguese language is not necessarily as easy to learn as Spanish, but the fact that it is a romance language, and therefore shares a number of words with English and Spanish, certainly makes it easier to learn than, say, Mandarin or Arabic. So attending a language school or college full-time in Portugal is not as difficult as you might initially imagine. And the famously friendly Portuguese are sure to help you out along the way.
Other Languages Spoken in Portugal
In Miranda do Douro, a town in the North East, and its vicinity some people speak a regional language called Mirandese, in addition to Portuguese, although rarely in front of people they do not know.
English is spoken in many tourist areas, but it is far from ubiquitous. Portuguese often watch American movies with the original English soundtrack and Portuguese subtitles so many are quite well versed with English due to this exposure. Younger Portuguese will speak at least some English, and many speak English fluently due to English classes in school. In the main tourist areas you will almost always find someone who can speak the main European languages.
Hotel personnel are usually required to speak English. French has almost disappeared as a second language, except possibly among older people. German or Spanish speakers are rare. Approximately 32% of Portuguese people can speak and understand English, while 24% can speak and understand French. Despite Spanish being mutually intelligible in a sense that most Portuguese understand it written and/or spoken, only 9% of the Portuguese population can speak it fluently.
About Portugal
The country we now know as Portugal has been inhabited for millennia, and over the course of that time, a great number of people have called the land home, including native Iberians, Celts, and the Moors, among others. However, “Portugal traces its emergence as a nation to 24 June 1128, with the Battle of Sao Mamede by Afonso I of the House of Burgundy.
On 5 October 1143 Portugal was formally recognized. Afonso, aided by the Templar Knights, continued to conquer southern lands from the Moors. In 1250 the Portuguese Reconquista ended when it reached the southern coast of Algarve”. Once Portugal had been officially established, of course, it began what can only be called an extraordinary age of exploration, discovery, and worldwide influence, discovering previously unknown lands around the world, spreading its culture, and changing the face of the world in wholly unexpected ways.
But Portugal, of course, is about much more than its past, though many of its most beautiful architectural remnants are still there for residents and visitors alike to see. Indeed, today’s Portugal is an exciting place to visit and an even better place to attend college. For while there is a great deal to be gained by visiting Portugal for a short period of time, living there and immersing yourself into the culture will prove to be beneficial in ways you may never have thought possible.
Culture
Portugal is a country with both beautiful natural environments and exciting, vibrant cities. The countryside offers visitors the opportunity to experience Portuguese culture as it was in the past. Indeed, traditional Portuguese ways of life are still in evidence outside the major urban centers. These are areas in which the pace of life is a bit slower and a bit more deliberate, but never boring.
Visitors can expect to leave the countryside with an excellent appreciation for the benefit of taking their time and enjoying a life lived at a slower pace. In Lisbon, the capital city, students will likely find themselves enamored of all the wonderful restaurants, world-class museums (including the National Museum of Ancient Art and the Lisbon Aquarium, which is the biggest one in Europe), and spectacular food.
People
Portuguese people are of generally excellent humor when they are talking with someone who cannot speak their language. This means that all types of shop owners, sales-folk, and people curious about you will take time to try to carve out any means of communication, often with funny and unexpected results. Helping a foreigner is considered a pleasant and rewarding occasion and experience. If you attempt to speak correct Portuguese, especially if slightly beyond the trivial, with locals, you will be treated with respect and often the locals will apologize for how difficult it is to learn Portuguese, or how hard the language is, and will almost adopt you. This might encourage travelers to learn the very basics of Portuguese, such as daily greetings and the routine please-thank you exchanges.
Food and Drink
Visitors and students are often surprised and ultimately charmed by the cuisine of Portugal. They also tend to fall in love with Portuguese wine, which is often relatively simple and straightforward, and almost always affordable. Port, however, the famous dessert wine of the country, is dangerously easy to enjoy. Sweet and often tasting somewhat of caramel or raisins, there is simply no better way to end a meal than with a small glass of Port.
As opposed to the often complicated and grand preparations of, say, France or Italy, “Portuguese food is, [generally,] simple ingredients impeccably prepared. Based on regional produce, emphasizing fish, meat, olive oil, tomato, and spices, it features hearty soups, homemade bread and cheeses, as well as unexpected combinations of meat and shellfish”.
Entry & Visa Requirements
- EU nationals and nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malta, Norway and Switzerland can enter Portugal holding a valid national ID card only.
- Nationals of other countries that do not require a visa should hold a passport valid for up to 6 months (depending on nationality)
- All other nationalities, please contact your nearest Portuguese Consulate or check online to get more information.
Citizens of the following countries can travel to Portugal for a duration up to 90 days without a visa:
- Nationals of EU countries, UK, Australia, Canada, USA and Japan.
- Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Israel, Korea (Rep. of), Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela.