Learning Portuguese

One of the difficulties researchers face when they arrive in a foreign country is the language barrier. It is therefore essential for the integration into the host country to become acquainted with the foreign language. It is recommendable to start learning Portuguese before you move to Portugal.

Portuguese is the official language of ten countries. With more than 200 million native speakers, it is one of the most spoken languages in the world.

In the following, we will show you some ways to become acquainted with the Portuguese Language. We also recommend you to contact the EURAXESS Services Centre at the place you intend to go, as they can give you more detailed information.

• Camões Institute
• State Universities
• Private Language Schools
• Examination Centres for Portuguese as a Foreign Language (CAPLE)
• Useful words and phrases

Camões Institute

The Institute responsible for promoting Portuguese language and culture abroad is the Camões Institute. On their website, you can find a list of Portuguese language Centres in Europe, Africa, North America, Central and South America and Asia.

The Institute responsible for promoting Portuguese language and culture abroad is the Camões Institute. On their website, you can find a list of Portuguese language Centres in Europe, Africa, North America, Central and South America and Asia.

The Camões Institute also offers an online platform designed to assist you in learning Portuguese, the Camões Virtual Learning Centre. You may access the English version by clicking on the EN-symbol.

State Universities

Most state universities offer Portuguese classes or summer courses for foreigners. Please contact also the EURAXESS Services Centre at the place you intend to go as all Portuguese State Universities have a EURAXESS Services Centre.

Private language schools

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides a list of institutions and schools in Portugal that offer Portuguese courses for foreigners.

You will also find a list of institutions that offer Language/Portuguese Culture Courses for foreigners at ACIDI (Office of the High Commissioner for Immigration and Intercultural Dialogue) website.

Examination centres – Portuguese as a foreign language (CAPLE)

You can have your level of Portuguese officially certified through a Diploma of Portuguese as a Foreign Language, issued by the Examination Centre for Portuguese as a Foreign Language (CAPLE), in cooperation with the Camões Institute (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), the Department for Education (Ministry of Education) and the University of Lisbon.

Examinations in Portuguese as a Foreign Language can be taken by any person aged 14 or above who wants to prove his/her competence in the Portuguese language.

There are five levels of Portuguese as a Foreign Language:

CIPLE – Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira

The CIPLE corresponds to level A2 of the Common European Framework of the Council of Europe.

DEPLE – Diploma Elementar de Português Língua Estrangeira

The DEPLE corresponds to level B1 of the Common European Framework of the Council of Europe.

DIPLE - Diploma Intermédio de Português Língua Estrangeira

The DIPLE corresponds to level B2 of the Common European Framework of the Council of Europe.

DAPLE - Diploma Avançado de Português Língua Estrangeira

The DAPLE corresponds to level C1 of the Common European Framework of the Council of Europe and recognises an advanced level of knowledge of Portuguese.

DUPLE - Diploma Universitário de Português Língua Estrangeira

The DUPLE corresponds to level C2 of the Common European Framework of the Council of Europe and is awarded for the top level of knowledge of Portuguese.

For further information:

Palavras e frases úteis

Academic Glossary

Documents

Transports

Other useful words and phrases