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Portuguese language course

From the very first group lesson, an experienced teacher will help you build on your vocabulary and understand how the language works. You’ll use traditional learning methods as well as online learning tools, such as Google Classroom, Quizlet and social media. You learn European Portuguese, the Portuguese language spoken in Portugal. There is also time spent on the difference between Portuguese of Portugal and Portuguese of Brazil. The course not only focuses on speaking and listening skills. Additional work on grammar, as well as reading and writing skills, will support you in the language learning process. Your teacher will be a (near-) native speaker, and the group lessons will be conducted in Portuguese. Instructions will only be given in Dutch or English if it’s absolutely necessary.

After completing the second module, you will be able to communicate in Portuguese in everyday situations.

This is a group course. In case you are interested in a one-on-one course please see web-based and interactive Portuguese for more information.

Fast facts

  • beginner and basic knowledge levels
  • English CEFR level B1 is a requirement
  • starts in February and September
  • 14 sessions of 2 hours
  • groups of about 12-14 students
  • 4 hours of independent study preparation per lesson
  • certificate upon completion of course requirements for each module
Find the perfect Portuguese course for you See the timetable and sign up!

Portuguese courses

For available times for the courses below, please see the course dates and the registration form. The registration form shows the currently available groups.

Quick links:

This is a group course. In case you are interested in a one-on-one course please see web-based and interactive Portuguese for more information.

Costs per course

  • UM students: € 475 per module
  • UM staff and alumni: € 475 per module
  • All other participants: € 605 per module

The costs are exclusive course materials.

Reference levels according to the CEFR:

  • Beginner: Portuguese A1
  • Elementary: Portuguese A2 
  • Intermediate: Portuguese B1 

Portuguese A1 (PT-A1)

Portuguese A1 is suitable for people with no prior knowledge of Portuguese.
An intake is not necessary.

Once you have finished this module, you will be able to:

  • greet people as well as introducing yourself and others;
  • ask for their personal details and give them to them;
  • place and describe things;
  • talk about daily activities, including the days and time;
  • talk about your home, your clothes;
  • talk about family and someone's character and describing their appearance;
  • ask about products and prices in shops, transport options, or ordering something in a restaurant;
  • accept or reject an invitation;
  • talk about leisure, holidays and cultural activities;
  • ask and point the way, giving instructions;
  • learn to have simple conversations in the present, past and future. 
  • You also learn about the differences between Portuguese of Portugal and Brasil​.

 

Course material

The paper book can be ordered via Bol.com, Amazone, Intertaal and LIDEL (the Portuguese publisher of the book). Please note: the delivery time can be three weeks through all points of sale. The shipping costs of one book from Portugal are approximately € 17.50.

Date: The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Certificate A1: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Portuguese A2 (PT-A2)

You have basic knowledge of the Portuguese language and/or you have completed the A1 course. An intake is necessary if you do not have an A1 certificate.

Once you have completed this course you will be able to:

  • talk in the present, future and past tense about everyday activities such as work, study, free time, vacation, shopping, health and lifestyle;
  • tell about yourself, about your present and about your past;
  • give your opinion on various matters;
  • understand advertisements and instructions;
  • talk about movies, documentaries, parties;
  • talking about the weather;
  • talking about stress, (healthy) food and sports;
  • understand simple news items;
  • talk about current topics, e.g. climate change;
  • talk about cultural differences.

You learn to use some new tenses, both in the past tense and in the future tense. You will also learn about the differences between the Portuguese of Portugal and the Portuguese of Brazil.

Course material

The paper book can be ordered via Bol.com, Amazone, Intertaal and LIDEL (the Portuguese publisher of the book). Please note: the delivery time can be three weeks through all points of sale. The shipping costs of one book from Portugal are approximately € 17.50.

Date: The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Certificate A2: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Portuguese B1 (PT-B1)

LC-portuguese

You have followed at least two Portuguese courses and you can make yourself understood in the most common situations. An intake is required if you do not have an A2 certificate.

In this course you will learn:

  • to give presentations on a current topic and lead a discussion;
  • to read and comment on articles/texts from the media;
  • to compare your country with Portugal in terms of culture and current topics such as the environment, climate, emigration, and technology;
  • to understand simple interviews;
  • expressing doubts, your opinion, arguing;
  • expressing dreams, wishes and feelings;
  • talking about unreal circumstances and situations;
  • to use Portuguese expressions;
  • to use some tenses of the Conjuntivo (the subjunctive);
  • about the differences between the Portuguese of Portugal and the Portuguese of Brazil.

Course material

The paper book can be ordered via Bol.com, Amazone, Intertaal and LIDEL (the Portuguese publisher of the book). Please note: the delivery time can be three weeks through all points of sale. The shipping costs of one book from Portugal are approximately € 17.50.

Date: The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Certificate B1: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Portuguese B2 (PT-B2)

Portuguese B2 is intended for people who can make themselves understood in Portuguese in all situations. For example, because you have lived in Portugal, Brazil a Portuguese-speaking country in Africa, or you have followed a number of courses. An intake is necessary if you do not have a B1 certificate.

In this course you will learn:

  • to give presentations on a current topic and lead a debate;
  • to formulate (im)probabilities, possibilities and hypotheses;
  • formulate goals;
  • to express doubts, wishes, feelings and your opinion;
  • more about the Portuguese language, history, culture, traditions and gastronomy;
  • to know a number of well-known (historical) Portuguese people;
  • about Portuguese products, brands and art forms;
  • about symbolism and Portuguese superstition;
  • about tourism in Portugal;
  • to use more tenses of the Conjuntivo (the subjunctive);

Course material

The paper book can be ordered via Bol.com, Amazone, Intertaal and LIDEL (the Portuguese publisher of the book). Please note: the delivery time can be three weeks through all points of sale. The shipping costs of one book from Portugal are approximately € 17.50.

Date: The registration form shows the actual available groups.

Certificate B2: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Registration and intake

You can register for module A1 by using our registration form. After registering, you will receive a confirmation.

If you already have some knowledge of the language and would like to join a non-beginners group then you can email Karin Bartelet to make an appointment, free of charge. Please note! Intake as of January 11, 2024, and only by appointment. The appointment will take place at the Maastricht University Language Centre or online.

Book an intake well before the course is scheduled to begin. This process will make it easier to make the appointment, and more likely that there will still be an available spot in the module that’s right for you.

Costs per course

  • UM students: € 475 per module
  • UM staff and alumni: € 475 per module
  • All other participants: € 605 per module

The costs are exclusive course materials.

Certificate and ECTS credits

After successfully completing a course, you will receive a certificate. To be eligible for a certificate, you must attend at least 12 of the 14 lessons, be present at the final exam and have satisfactory results. One course is worth 3 ECTS credits. Whether these credits are acknowledged depends on your faculty. Please consult with your faculty / home university if these credits will be accepted as part of your programme.