Portuguese for beginners: Definition

“Portuguese for beginners” is a program designed to teach the basics of the Portuguese language to you, which assumes you have little or no prior knowledge of the Portuguese language. 

Portuguese lessons for beginners at ILI Massachusetts

Explore our Portuguese courses designed for beginners, where we start from scratch, covering vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and practical phrases. Our structured approach ensures you gain the essentials for effective communication at the beginner level.

Who are Portuguese beginner lessons for?

Curious about whether these classes are the right fit? Let’s make it clear – our Portuguese beginner lessons are not for those who’ve lived in a Portuguese speaking country, extensively studied Portuguese in college, or consider themselves rusty intermediates. If your past language level was beyond beginner, we’ve got more advanced classes waiting for you!

What if I know a handful of words in Portuguese. Am I still a beginner?

Did you once get past the beginner stage but feel a bit rusty now? If you’ve practically forgotten it all, don’t worry! Our classes are designed for true beginners, helping even those with faded memories swiftly reconnect with the language. Welcome back to the world of Portuguese!

Why is it important to be with other Portuguese beginners when you start learning? 

Welcome to the comfort of a community of fellow Portuguese learners! Joining a group of beginners is more than just a smart move – it’s a confidence boost. We believe that mastering a new language is largely about feeling confident, and being part of a supportive community can make all the difference.

We all experience days when language learning feels like a breeze, and other days when it’s a bit more challenging. The beauty of learning together is that we’re all in the same boat, navigating the language seas together. There’s something magical about the shared journey of discovering a new language as a group.

Can I take any format of Portuguese course at ILI Northampton at beginner level?

Absolutely! Wondering if you can kickstart your Portuguese journey at ILI Northampton with a beginner-level course? Most definitely! Occasionally, we might not have a full beginner group for our group Portuguese classes. If that happens, we’ll reach out and suggest starting with some personalized one-on-one lessons. This tailored approach ensures you grasp the basics and steadily boosts your skills and confidence, preparing you seamlessly for the next level.

Check out the various formats for our Portuguese courses below. Don’t miss our online classes, perfect for those with limited mobility, tight schedules, or residing a bit too far from our location. Even if you’re physically distant, you can still be an integral part of our ILI learning community.

See you soon! Até logo!

Portuguese Course Options with ILI

All of the following Portuguese course formats are available at beginner level. You’ll be able to specify when you book!

Group Portuguese Lessons Online

Someone in front of a computer with a book

Our Group Portuguese lessons take place online and you can access classes from anywhere in the world. The days and times depend on your level.

Private Portuguese Lessons

ILI teacher, Beth, giving a Portuguese lesson.

Our Private Portuguese lessons allow you to shape your learning around your busy life. You choose the times, days and topics – we’ll do the rest!

Portuguese in Portugal

A panoramic view of Sintra, Portugal and the sweeping expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.

Portugal is an excellent choice for a language travel experience. Study Portuguese abroad in one of two exciting Portuguese locations.

Our Teachers

Six World Language Instructors standing in front of a brick wall
The International Language Institute’s team of Portuguese, Spanish and Italian instructors.

Our Portuguese instructors have a lot of experience teaching a diverse range of students from college age to older adults. Their extensive linguistic expertise help create a rich learning environment as they get students to start speaking Portuguese right away.

ILI has been teaching languages and training teachers since 1984, bringing students the best learning experiences.

“My Portuguese lessons with my instructor are exceptional. His pedagogical approach is solid, and we use our lessons to discuss many important cultural issues, including various Brazilian artistic disciplines.”

Andy Jaffe at his piano.
Andy Jaffe Composer/Arranger/Educator/Author

Check Your Portuguese Level

Unsure of the level you are at in the language you want to learn? Don’t worry, we are here to help.

Ask Samira for an assessment in the language you are interested in. She will arrange an appropriate instructor to assess you in a 10 to 15-minute conversation, and then when you register for a course, we can place you in the class that will be best for you.

If you are a zero-level beginner, you’ll start in our Level 1 class, so need for an assessment.

Or if you are unsure about anything…

Got a Question?

See if our frequently asked questions answer what’s on your mind…

Selected FAQs

We generally use Zoom for our online language classes, as it is widely available and the functionality works well for the way we teach. If you are booking language classes online for your company, and you use a different platform (e.g. Google Meet, Microsoft Teams), we will be able to adjust our delivery to fit in with you.

You will meet people from around the world with a variety of backgrounds in your online class. You will practice everything you would in an in-person class: speaking, listening, reading, grammar, pronunciation, and writing. If you are in a group language class, you will have many opportunities to practice speaking with your classmates one-on-one and in small groups.

  • Having a hard copy of your class book can be a real help. You can pick one up at our school in Northampton. Just give us a heads up when you can drop by so that we have one ready for you.
  • Take a little time before class to get your online learning environment ready. We recommend having good lighting and being within 2-3 feet of your computer camera. This way the teacher and other students can have a more visual feel for how students are reacting to lessons and activities. Have a notebook and something to write with.
  • Read the 7 Strategies for Success in your ILI workbook.
  • We always recommend that students take a little time before and or after your class to review the lessons.
Heather Hall smiling

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What to do next

  1. Explore our Portuguese program options and choose the one that suits you best
  2. Get a language level assessment if you need to
  3. Register for your chosen course!

Advice on Learning Portuguese From our Blog

The ILI Promise

At ILI, we believe that all our actions should stem from grace and loving kindness.

Portrait of Caroline Gear - Executive Director
  • We operate as an equal opportunity organization.
  • We nurture relationships beyond the classroom.
  • We are committed to providing the highest quality language instruction and teacher training.
  • We promote intercultural understanding and celebrate the diversity in our local communities.
  • We work collaboratively to build and sustain the communities we serve.
  • We believe in life-changing teaching and learning.