Table of Contents
LEARN PORTUGUESE TO PERFECTION WHILE RESIDING IN LISBON
Since September 2014, we’ve been helping foreigners learn Portuguese in Lisbon. Visit us in Santos, only a 7-minute walk from Cais do Sodré Metro Station.
Learn Portuguese in Lisbon - Our METHODOLOGY
At Lisbon Language Café, we make conversation the centerpiece of learning. Fluency doesn’t happen without real, meaningful practice, so our lessons are designed to get students speaking with purpose and direction. For absolute beginners (A1.1), we balance this approach with a strong focus on grammar, ensuring that students build a solid foundation before moving into more advanced communication.
Our LOCATION - In the Heart of Lisbon
Level A1 - Beginners
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE INTENSIVE COURSE 3 x PER WEEK (3-week course) AND 5 x PER WEEK (2-week course)?
The course is exactly the same—same number of hours, same grammar content, same teaching approach, and even the same teacher. The key difference is that the intensive course, held three times per week, gives students more time between classes to absorb and consolidate what they’ve learned.
It’s important for students to reflect and self-assess before choosing between these options to determine which format will set them up for success. Based on our experience, students who are learning a second language for the first time, who haven’t studied in many years, or who have no background in Spanish or Italian tend to benefit more from the three-times-per-week format.
WITH US, YOU NEVER MISS A PORTUGUESE CLASS!
You never miss a class even if you have to be absent! Do you want to take our course but have to miss some classes? No problem, we have our A1 level classes recorded so you won’t miss any class or information. Click HERE to check a few lessons!
LEVEL A1 - ROADMAP
Level A1 can be quite challenging, especially for students who have never studied a second language before.
The Portuguese teacher not only teaches the language but also plays a key role in guiding students throughout the learning process. At Lisbon Language Café, we provide a wide range of educational resources that students are encouraged to use at home—such as podcasts, flashcards, games, spelling activities, reading exercises, and more—to support their Portuguese learning journey.
It is essential for students to learn how to combine and make the best use of these resources, which is why we have created the following ROADMAP.
UNIT 1: Quizlet: 1,2,3
UNIT 2: Quizlet: 4,5,6
UNIT 3: Quizlet: 7,8,9 + Podcasts: 1,2,3
UNIT 4: Quizlet: 10,11,12 + Podcasts: 4,5,6 + Interrogation Room: 1
UNIT 5: Quizlet: 13,14,15 + Podcasts: 7,8,9 + Interrogation Room: 2
UNIT 6: Podcasts: 10,11,12 IR: 3 News Broadcast in Portuguese: 1 + Text: 1
UNIT 7: Podcasts: 13,14,15 Interrogation Room: 4 + News Broadcast in Portuguese: 2 + Text: 2
PORTUGUESE LEARNING STUDIO
All our students have FREE access to OUR LEARNING STUDIO
START NOW!!!
PORTUGUESE PRIVATE LESSONS
5 HOURS PACKAGE
(1 STUDENT - 60 minutes)-
Includes BOOK
-
Includes FREE access to our PODCASTS platform
-
Includes FREE access to our E-LEARNING PLATFORM
10 HOURS PACKAGE
(1 STUDENT - 60 minutes)-
Includes BOOK
-
Includes FREE access to our PODCASTS platform
-
Includes FREE access to our E-LEARNING PLATFORM
10 HOURS PACKAGE
(2 STUDENTS - 60 minutes)-
Includes BOOK
-
Includes FREE access to our PODCASTS platform
-
Includes FREE access to our E-LEARNING PLATFORM
LEVEL A1 - FAQ's
We will break down our response into two sections: (1) Teacher contact time and (2) Homework.
CONTACT TIME WITH THE TEACHER:
- Group classes: Around 30 hours are generally enough to grasp A1-level content in group settings.
- Individual classes: Typically, 15 to 20 hours of one-on-one instruction are needed.
HOMEWORK:
- Group classes: Besides the 30 hours with the teacher, an extra 15 to 20 hours of homework are necessary.
- Individual classes: Due to the shorter teacher contact time (15 to 20 hours), expect 20 to 30 hours of homework to complete this introductory Portuguese level.
In the initial A1 level, experiencing challenges with pronunciation is normal, and students shouldn’t be overly concerned. While we address pronunciation errors in class, we also acknowledge acceptable variations. Substantial improvement often comes from regular interaction with native Portuguese speakers. Fluent speaking skills typically become a primary focus from level B1 onwards, with less emphasis on pronunciation in A1 and A2 Portuguese classes.
As soon as students open a Portuguese language textbook, they may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information available. In addition to teaching the language, the teacher must also serve as a guide and explain the essential elements for A1 level. Without an experienced teacher and proper guidance, students will have difficulty. Here are four crucial verbs for A1 level: the verbs “SER“, “TER“, “ESTAR“, and “IR“.
UNIT 1 – Simple present – Regular verbs ending in -Ar -Use of the verb TO BE in the present tense -Definite and indefinite articles – Alphabet – Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers – Question words – Prepositions + articles
UNIT 2 – Rules of agreement of the adjective in gender and number with the noun – Placing the adjective in the sentence – Regular verbs, -Er and -Ir
UNIT 3 – Rules of plural formation in nouns and adjectives – Use of reflexive pronoun conjugation (reflexive verbs) – Placement of reflexive pronouns in the sentence – Word category (names, verbs and adjectives)
UNIT 4 – Irregular verbs in the present tense -Days of the week, months and seasons – Movement prepositions – FUTURE tense (with adverbials of future tense) TO GO + infinitive – Future of the Worksheet Indicative – Determinants and possessive pronouns – Placing possessive determinants and pronouns in the sentence
UNIT 5 – Adjectives, degrees – Family relationships – Use of the simple perfect past tense – Regular verbs – Graphic changes
UNIT 6 – Variable demonstrative determinants and pronouns – Placement of variable determinants and demonstrative pronouns in the sentence -Verb Haver – Time expressions
UNIT 7 – Adverbials of place -Formulas for description of physical state – Simple past
Level A2
LEVEL A2 – UPCOMING COURSES
READY FOR LEVEL A2? HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT THE LISBON LANGUAGE CAFE!
At the A2 level, students can expect a course focused on 80% speaking and 20% grammar.
Most grammar instruction takes place outside the classroom through homework activities designed to reinforce key concepts. This structure allows class time to be dedicated primarily to speaking and conversation practice.
To ensure effective practice, classes are conducted in small groups—with a maximum of 6 students per group—creating the ideal environment for interaction, participation, and personalized feedback.
At the beginning of the A2 level, students are not yet able to hold fluent conversations with native speakers.
However, they are able to engage in meaningful dialogue with (experienced) teachers through activities specifically designed for A2.1 learners.
Our A2 course places a strong emphasis on conversation practice. By the end of the level, students will have gained the confidence and fluency needed to participate in one-on-one conversations in Portuguese.
The course includes 30 hours of classroom instruction, but due to the nature of the training, students are expected to dedicate an additional 30 hours to independent study at home to reinforce grammar and key concepts.
On average, a total of 60 hours is enough to complete and consolidate the A2 level effectively.
LEVEL A2 - ROADMAP
At A2 level, our classes focus primarily on conversation, as we believe that listening and speaking activities are key to helping students consolidate the content learned in both A1 and A2. Grammar at this level is introduced by the teacher during class, but it is the student’s responsibility to study and complete the related practice and consolidation activities at home. This approach allows us to dedicate more class time to conversation. However, it also means that students have more homework outside of class.
Lisbon Language Café provides a wide range of learning resources that students are encouraged to use at home—such as podcasts, flashcards, games, spelling exercises, and reading activities—to support their Portuguese learning journey. It is essential that students learn how to combine and make the most of these resources, which is why we have created the following ROADMAP for A2-level learners.
AULA 1: Quizlet: 1,2,3 + Podcast: 1,2
AULA 2: Quizlet: 4,5,6 + Podcast: 3,4
AULA 3: Quizlet: 7,8,9 + Podcasts: 5,6
AULA 4: Quizlet: 10,11 + Podcasts: 7,8 + Interrogation Room: 1
AULA 5: Quizlet: 12,13 + Podcasts: 9,10 + Interrogation Room: 2
AULA 6: Quizlet: 14,15 + Podcasts: 11,12 + Interrogation Room: 3
AULA 7: Quizlet: 16,17 + Podcasts: 13,14 + Text: 1 + Interrogation Room: 4
AULA 8: Quizlet: 18,19 + Podcasts: 15 + Text: 2 + Interrogation Room: 5
AULA 9: Quizlet: 20,21 + News Broadcast in Portuguese: 1 + Interrogation Room: 6
AULA 10: Quizlet: 22,23,24 + News Broadcast in Portuguese: 2 + Text 1
AULA 11: Quizlet: 25,26,27 + News Broadcast in Portuguese: 3 + Text 2
AULA 12: Quizlet: 28,29,30 + News Broadcast in Portuguese: 4 + Text 3
CONVERSATION LESSONS FOR LEVEL A2
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS COURSE?
This conversation-based course is designed for students who have completed Level A2 but do not yet feel fully confident progressing to Level B1. The program centers on practical speaking activities that reinforce the grammar covered in Levels A1 and A2. Rather than formal grammar lessons, grammar will be revisited only when necessary—specifically when challenges arise during conversation practice.
At this stage, students have already studied the essential grammar points, so the focus shifts to strengthening listening and speaking skills while consolidating prior knowledge. This course is ideal for learners who wish to bridge the gap between A2 and B1 and build greater confidence in real-life communication
PORTUGUESE LEARNING STUDIO
All our students have FREE access to OUR LEARNING STUDIO
START NOW!!!
PORTUGUESE PRIVATE LESSONS
5 HOURS PACKAGE
(1 STUDENT - 60 minutes)-
Includes BOOK
-
Includes FREE access to our PODCASTS platform
-
Includes FREE access to our E-LEARNING PLATFORM
10 HOURS PACKAGE
(1 STUDENT - 60 minutes)-
Includes BOOK
-
Includes FREE access to our PODCASTS platform
-
Includes FREE access to our E-LEARNING PLATFORM
10 HOURS PACKAGE
(2 STUDENTS - 60 minutes)-
Includes BOOK
-
Includes FREE access to our PODCASTS platform
-
Includes FREE access to our E-LEARNING PLATFORM
PORTUGUESE TRIAL LESSON: 19,99€
LEVEL A2 - FAQ's
Students who complete a level A1 course with the Lisbon Language Café receive feedback on their skills and the next steps they need to improve. Students who come to the Lisbon Language Café from another language school may have very different experiences. We suggest a trial lesson (€20) to assess grammar, listening, and speaking skills.
To enroll in our A2 level courses, it is important for students to be comfortable with the following verb tenses: Present, Future (Ir + Infinitive), and Preterite Perfect (regular verbs + IR, TER, SER, ESTAR verbs).
It is also important for oral comprehension skills to be in line with the A2 level. Our A1-level podcasts are essential for improving these skills.
Homework is crucial! Our students have three types of homework:
1-Review and finish activities in the textbook
2-Listen to our A2-level podcasts
3-Reinforce skills through our A2 level QUIZLET platform
The conversation activities during class provide students with the chance to apply all the skills they have consolidated at home.
In our opinion, the essential elements to be improved at level A2 are the improvement of listening comprehension and oral expression.
At the end of level A2, students should be able to communicate effectively in one-on-one conversations. However, it is important to note that A2-level students are not yet fluent and have just completed the introductory level. In group conversations with native speakers, such as in a cafe or restaurant, with background noise, students may still experience difficulties in communication.
At the end of level A2, it is essential that students begin to regularly communicate with Portuguese natives. Without continuous exposure to the Portuguese language, it is difficult to improve and consolidate the many grammar structures learned during the first two levels (A1 and A2).
PORTUGUESE, LEVEL A2 – PROGRAMME OF STUDIES
UNIT 1 – Verbs with vowel alternation, Oblique Personal Pronouns (tonics)
UNIT 2 – Imperative, Use of the analytical and synthetic absolute superlative »Use of the relative superlative of superiority and inferiority »Rules for the use of time prepositions
UNIT 3 – Past imperfect
UNIT 4 – Conditional, direct and indirect complement pronouns
UNIT 5 – Verb “Haver de + Infinitive “, Indefinite Pronouns, Personal infinitive, Impersonal Infinitive, Word formation (prefixing rules)
UNIT 6 – Passive particle “SE”, Past participles
Level B1
WHAT TO EXPECT AT LEVEL B1 AT THE LISBON LANGUAGE CAFÉ?
Our B1-level classes focus on structured conversations with well-defined goals. While speaking in Portuguese is important for skill reinforcement, it’s crucial to ensure that the conversation is planned and structured and that grammatical objectives are clearly set by the teacher. Typically, 80-90% of class time is devoted to structured conversation activities, while the remaining 10-20% is used to address grammar concerns or questions. Merely engaging in Portuguese conversation without clear goals is not enough.
To acquire and solidify knowledge at the B1 level, students will participate in conversation classes with carefully selected activities and clearly defined grammatical goals. During these conversations in Portuguese, the teacher will guide students toward the correct grammatical structures. The grammatical concepts are studied at home and their solidification and clarification are completed during class time. This approach allows for more time to engage in conversation during class.
CONVERSATION LESSONS
The B1 Conversation Course is designed for students who have completed Level B1 and wish to consolidate everything they have learned. As the name suggests, these are conversation-focused classes built around the grammatical structures from the first three levels (A1, A2, and B1). Grammar is reviewed and reinforced naturally as conversations unfold and questions arise.
PORTUGUESE LEARNING STUDIO
All our students have FREE access to OUR LEARNING STUDIO
START NOW!!!
PORTUGUESE PRIVATE LESSONS
5 HOURS PACKAGE
(1 STUDENT - 60 minutes)-
Includes BOOK
-
Includes FREE access to our PODCASTS platform
-
Includes FREE access to our E-LEARNING PLATFORM
10 HOURS PACKAGE
(1 STUDENT - 60 minutes)-
Includes BOOK
-
Includes FREE access to our PODCASTS platform
-
Includes FREE access to our E-LEARNING PLATFORM
10 HOURS PACKAGE
(2 STUDENTS - 60 minutes)-
Includes BOOK
-
Includes FREE access to our PODCASTS platform
-
Includes FREE access to our E-LEARNING PLATFORM
PORTUGUESE TRIAL LESSON: 19,99€
LEVEL B1 - FAQ's
It’s challenging to accurately estimate the number of hours needed to reach B1 proficiency. It varies greatly based on each student’s abilities and aptitudes. However, as a rough approximation, it usually takes about 80 hours to acquire and solidify B1-level knowledge in Portuguese.
Yes, completing homework is essential for solidifying proficiency at the B1 level in Portuguese. The grammatical concepts covered at this level are initially studied at home and then further clarified during class. From this level on, it is also essential for students to regularly speak with native speakers. Only through consistent exposure to the language will students be able to consolidate the grammatical structures and conjunctions learned during levels A1 and A2. These conversation activities with native speakers should be considered an integral part of the B1-level students’ homework.
At the end of level B1, students have the ability to converse with natives in one-to-one situations comfortably. However, if speaking with someone with a strong Portuguese accent or someone who speaks very fast, difficulties may still be encountered.
It is important to note, however, that in group conversations, students will still experience difficulties in actively and comfortably participating in the conversation. A group conversation in a restaurant with a group of Portuguese speakers is a challenge that only B2-C1 level students will be able to successfully tackle. Be patient, learning Portuguese (or any other language) takes time.
PORTUGUESE, LEVEL B1 – PROGRAMME OF STUDIES
- UNIT 1: A. Simple past-perfect past tense (pmqps) B. Past tense more than perfect Composite of the indicative (pmqpc) C. Passive voice [action (verb to be) and state (verb to be)]
- UNIT 2: A. Present perfect compound (PPC) B. Placement of Pronouns in compound tenses
- UNIT 3: A. Indicative and subjunctive B. Formation of the Present in the subjunctive (Expression of the concession)
- UNIT 4: A. Subjunctive Present (time expression and Condition expression) B. Prepositions
- UNIT 5: A. Subjunctive Present (concessive alternation and hypothetical eventuality) B. Portuguese Proverbs
- UNIT 6: A. Indicative mode vs Subjunctive mode B. Personal infinitive or subjunctive C. Verbs with prepositions
- UNIT 7: A. Future of subjunctive B. Direct speech / Indirect speech
- UNIT 8: A. Imperfect subjunctive Present vs Imperfect subjunctive
Level B2
PORTUGUESE PRIVATE LESSONS
5 HOURS PACKAGE
(1 STUDENT - 60 minutes)-
Includes BOOK
-
Includes FREE access to our PODCASTS platform
-
Includes FREE access to our E-LEARNING PLATFORM
10 HOURS PACKAGE
(1 STUDENT - 60 minutes)-
Includes BOOK
-
Includes FREE access to our PODCASTS platform
-
Includes FREE access to our E-LEARNING PLATFORM
10 HOURS PACKAGE
(2 STUDENTS - 60 minutes)-
Includes BOOK
-
Includes FREE access to our PODCASTS platform
-
Includes FREE access to our E-LEARNING PLATFORM
PORTUGUESE TRIAL LESSON: 19,99€
TERMS, CONDITIONS AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Terms and conditions (intensive and extensive courses): A course is always guaranteed even if it doesn’t have a minimum number of students, however, the number of hours may be reduced. In the event that an intensive course runs with lesson than 2 students, Lisbon Language Café offers 2 daily hours (120 minutes) instead of three. The price will always remain the same.
CANCELLATION POLICY (Intensive / Extensive / Progressive / Private course): more than 20 days prior notice – 70% refund | Less than 20 days – 50% refund | Less than 7 days or during the course – NO refund
Learning Portuguese – Top Tips
Are you considering relocating to a region or country where Portuguese is spoken? If so, you likely need to acquire proficiency in this beautiful language! Touristic areas in Lisbon often have a significant number of English speakers. However, the scenario in Portuguese towns and villages is markedly different. In these places, it’s crucial to be able to communicate in Portuguese; otherwise, people may not understand you. To master Portuguese, you need to initiate the learning process. Remember that achieving an effective level of proficiency will require several months of dedicated practice.
YOU CAN’T EXPECT PERFECTION! – Achieving perfection in a new language takes time, typically three, four, or even more years of consistent practice. Throughout this journey, you’ll inevitably make thousands of mistakes, but it’s an unavoidable part of the path to fluency.
PRACTICE LITTLE BUT OFTEN – (as often as possible)! You may initially begin your learning journey by dedicating several hours each week to studying the language. However, this approach is typically ineffective as it’s challenging to retain information over the long term. Instead, consider spending 30 to 45 minutes per day studying Portuguese. Explore our LEARNING STUDIO for a routine that will help solidify the language more effectively in your memory.
FIND A PARTNER – If you’ve chosen to use language learning software for Portuguese, you may grasp the principles of the language. However, this approach might not adequately prepare you for fluent conversation, which demands a strong foundation and comprehension of the language. Consider practicing Portuguese with a language partner; frequent practice can lead to surprising progress.
LISTENING – If you’re an intermediate Portuguese student (B1 or B2), it’s crucial to actively listen to others speaking Portuguese. This can be as straightforward as tuning your TV or radio to a Portuguese channel, and you can even try using Portuguese subtitles. The language used in TV and radio programs reflects the everyday words and expressions used by Portuguese speakers.
WRITE IN PORTUGUESE – Engaging in writing exercises in Portuguese is a valuable learning activity. It provides an opportunity to solidify a multitude of words and grammatical structures. Aim to incorporate various tenses into your Portuguese writing, such as the simple present, simple past, future, imperative, and other verb tenses. Seek feedback from your teacher to have your texts corrected. Analyze and revise the information, but remember not to expect perfection. Practice patience and tolerance with yourself throughout the learning process.
READ IN PORTUGUESE – If you are an A1, A2, or B1 student, avoid attempting to read a Portuguese novel. Instead, invest your time in reading texts that align with your current level of proficiency. Once you reach B2 (or C1), you are prepared to explore a wide range of materials in Portuguese, including newspapers, magazines, and books. Maintaining regular contact with the language is the key tip we can offer you!