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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. 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
  • 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:

Costs per course

  • UM students: € 325 per module

  • UM staff, alumni and Zuyd Hogeschool students: € 395 per module

  • All other participants: € 510 per module

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.

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

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)

Portuguese A2 is intended for people with basic knowledge of Portuguese and people who successfully completed Portuguese A1. An intake is necessary when you have no certificate of A1.

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

  • Both in the present, future and past tense talk about everyday activities such as work, study, leisure, holidays, shopping, health and lifestyle;

  • telling about yourself, your present and your past;

    giving your opinion on various things;

  • understand advertisements and instructions;

  • talking about films, documentaries, parties;

  • talk about the weather;

  • talk about stress, (healthy) food and sport;

    understand simple news items;

  • talk about current topics, e.g. climate change;

    talk about cultural differences.

You also learn about the differences between Portuguese of Portugal and Brasil​.

Course material

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

Portuguese B1 is intended for people with basic knowledge of Portuguese and people who successfully completed Portuguese A2. An intake is necessary when you have no certificate of A2.

In this course you will learn:

  • give presentations on a current topic and lead a discussion;
  • read and comment on articles/texts from the media;
  • talk about topics such as culture, food, society, climate, tourism, technology;
  • understand simple radio messages and interviews;
  • expressing doubts and your opinion, arguing;
  • express dreams, wishes, and feelings;
  • talk about unreal circumstances and situations;
  • use Portuguese expressions;
  • about the difference between the Portuguese of Portugal and the Portuguese of Brazil.

 

Course materials

  • PORTUGUÊS XXI - 3, Livro do Aluno Nova edição! ISBN: 978-989-752-382-3. Via Lidel.pt

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.

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. 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: € 325 per module

  • UM staff, alumni and Zuyd Hogeschool students: € 395 per module

  • All other participants: € 510 per module

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.