Established in September 2014, our school is dedicated to offering Portuguese courses in Lisbon for foreigners. Join us at our language school situated in Santos, conveniently close to Cais do Sodré (just a 7-minute walk from Cais do Sodré Metro Station).
Discover the joy of learning Portuguese in Lisbon with our student-tailored courses, ensuring a maximum of 7 students per class.
Unlike the typical language school experience, where students may only speak and listen for 25% of the lesson, at Lisbon Language Cafe, our unique teaching methodology ensures that students engage in speaking and listening throughout the entire class. This approach, proven to enhance the learning process, allows students to start speaking Portuguese from the first day (level A1.2 and above).
INTENSIVE COURSE
2-WEEK COURSE (30H)
INCLUDES:
BOOK
QUIZLET PLATFORM
PODCASTS
INTENSIVE COURSE
1-WEEK COURSE (15 H)
INCLUDES:
BOOK
QUIZLET PLATFORM
PODCASTS
EXTENSIVE COURSE
6-WEEK or 12-WEEK COURSE (30H)
INCLUDES:
BOOK
QUIZLET PLATFORM
PODCASTS
10 HOURS
1 STUDENT
INCLUDES:
BOOK
QUIZLET PLATFORM
PODCASTS
5 HOURS
1 STUDENT
INCLUDES:
BOOK
QUIZLET PLATFORM
PODCASTS
10 HOURS
2 STUDENTS
INCLUDES:
BOOK
QUIZLET PLATFORM
PODCASTS
FAQS – LEVEL A1
We will divide our answer into two parts: (1) Contact time with the teacher and (2) Homework.
Remember, the A1 level is the starting point on the scale! The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages includes 6 levels:
Upon completing A1, students will grasp the fundamentals of the Portuguese language, a crucial aspect. They will be able to create simple sentences and comprehend basic directions. However, fluency is not achieved at the end of A1. At the conclusion of this initial stage, students will have a basic understanding of Portuguese and all crucial elements of the A1 level. They will be able to form simple sentences for everyday communication in places such as restaurants, cafes, and stores.
At the Lisbon Language Café, we prioritize oral expression and comprehension whenever feasible. However, level A1 is challenging as students lack the necessary language skills. In A1.1, we cover the foundational aspects of Portuguese grammar. In A1.2, we build upon this by incorporating more speaking activities, as students now possess the foundational knowledge to participate in them
To improve your Portuguese language comprehension, it’s crucial to use our level A1 podcasts. Our students have free access to our podcast platform, which is an essential tool for improving listening comprehension in Portuguese.
At level A1, poor pronunciation is normal. Students shouldn’t worry too much about it. During our classes, we correct pronunciation errors but accept reasonable variations. To greatly improve pronunciation, students need to communicate frequently with Portuguese native speakers. Fluent speaking abilities usually develop from level B1 and beyond. Pronunciation won’t be the primary focus during 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“.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS COURSE?
This preparation course for entry into level A2 is intended for students who have completed level A1 but still do not feel comfortable enough to start the A2 course. The A2 level at Lisbon Language Café primarily focuses on conversation. In order for students to succeed in our A2 level, it is important that they feel comfortable with the A1 level content and that their listening comprehension skills are reasonable (or good). The course lasts for 15 hours. The first 5 hours of the course are dedicated to reviewing and clarifying the most challenging grammatical content of level A1. The following 10 hours are dedicated to activities of comprehension and oral expression. Precisely the type of activities that students can expect in A2 level courses at Lisbon Language Café. In case of doubt, we suggest that students take a trial class (20€).
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT LEVEL A2 AT THE LISBON LANGUAGE CAFÉ?
At the A2 level, students can expect a course that focuses 80% on speaking and 20% on grammar. Much of the grammar instruction will take place outside of class through homework activities that reinforce key concepts. This approach allows for more time to be dedicated to conversation practice in class. In order to effectively practice Portuguese conversation, it is necessary to work in small groups. That is why we accept no more than 6 students per group. At the start of the A2 level, students may not be able to hold a fluent conversation with a native speaker. However, they are able to engage in conversation with a skilled teacher through activities specifically designed for A2.1 level students. Our A2 level course focuses on conversation, and by the end of this level, students will have developed the confidence and fluency to have one-on-one conversations in Portuguese. The course lasts for 30 hours. However, due to the nature of the training, we expect students to also spend at least 30 additional hours studying at home to reinforce grammar concepts. On average, a total of 60 hours is sufficient to learn and solidify the A2 level.
OUR PORTUGUESE COURSES INCLUDE FREE ACCESS TO
| PORTUGUESE PODCASTS | QUIZLET PLATFORM | BOOK (hard copy) |
This is a conversation course designed and structured for students who have completed level A2 but still do not feel comfortable progressing to level B1. In this course, above all, we focus on conversations using the grammatical structures of levels A1 and A2. Grammatical reviews are conducted as issues arise during the conversations. In other words, we will not have grammar lessons because the students participating in this course have already learned grammar in their previous courses. In this course, our focus is on improving oral comprehension and expression skills, as well as consolidating previously learned grammatical structures
10 HOURS
1 STUDENT
INCLUDES:
BOOK
QUIZLET PLATFORM
PODCASTS
5 HOURS
1 STUDENT
INCLUDES:
BOOK
QUIZLET PLATFORM
PODCASTS
10 HOURS
2 STUDENTS
INCLUDES:
BOOK
QUIZLET PLATFORM
PODCASTS
FAQS – LEVEL A2
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).
OUR PORTUGUESE COURSES INCLUDE FREE ACCESS TO
| PORTUGUESE PODCASTS | QUIZLET PLATFORM | BOOK (hard copy) |
10 HOURS
1 STUDENT
INCLUDES:
BOOK
QUIZLET PLATFORM
PODCASTS
5 HOURS
1 STUDENT
INCLUDES:
BOOK
QUIZLET PLATFORM
PODCASTS
10 HOURS
2 STUDENTS
INCLUDES:
BOOK
QUIZLET PLATFORM
PODCASTS
FAQS (B1 LEVEL)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
10 HOURS
1 STUDENT
INCLUDES:
BOOK
QUIZLET PLATFORM
PODCASTS
5 HOURS
1 STUDENT
INCLUDES:
BOOK
QUIZLET PLATFORM
PODCASTS
10 HOURS
2 STUDENTS
INCLUDES:
BOOK
QUIZLET PLATFORM
PODCASTS
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
It is fundamental to know what distinguishes a regular verb from an irregular verb in the Portuguese language. Regular verbs are those that are always conjugated in the same way. The endings we use are always the same. Thus, all students who know how to conjugate a regular verb, necessarily know how to conjugate all regular verbs.
REGULAR VERBS IN THE PRESENT TENSE
In the PRESENTE do INDICATIVO there are three types of regular verbs:
VERBS ENDING in -AR. Examples: trabalhar, morar, estudar, comprar.
VERBS ENDING in -ER. Examples: comer, beber.
VERBS ENDING in-IR. Example: partir
IRREGULAR VERBS IN THE PRESENT TENSE
In the Portuguese language, we have a long list of irregular verbs in the present tense. Should an A1-level student memorize all of them? In our opinion, the answer is no, students of Portuguese should not try to memorize all irregular verbs. There are however 4 verbs that every student should know as soon as possible. We are talking about the verbs SER, ESTAR, TER, and IR: All other irregular verbs should be learned with exposure to the language. Students need to start communicating regularly. Slowly they will consolidate the conjugations more or less naturally. Now let’s look at the conjugation of the 4 essential verbs!
The importance of regular verbs and these four irregular verbs is TREMENDOUS in the progression of Portuguese students. From the very first day of class, we SHARE this opinion with our students. We regularly test them to make sure that everyone is comfortable with these conjugations. If you study Portuguese, follow our advice and memorize these conjugations! It is one of the basics of the Portuguese language!
Are you planning to move to a region or a country that speaks Portuguese? If that’s your case you probably need to learn this beautiful language! Touristic areas (in Lisbon) tend to have a very high number of English speakers. But, the reality in Portuguese towns and villages is very different. Here, you have to be able to speak Portuguese, otherwise, people will not understand you. To learn Portuguese you have to… Start learning! Don’t forget that you will need several months of practice to grasp the language to an effective level.
YOU CAN’T EXPECT PERFECTION! – When learning a new idiom you will not reach perfection until you’ve been speaking that same language for three, four, or more years! You will do thousands of mistakes along the way but there is no other road to reaching fluency!
PRACTICE LITTLE BUT OFTEN – (as often as possible)! You will probably start your learning process by spending several hours per week studying the language. But, that strategy is usually ineffective. You will not be able to retain that information over the long term. Try to spend 30 to 45 minutes per day studying Portuguese. This routine will reinforce the language more strongly in your memory.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR PACING – The secret to learning a new idiom is to go at the pace that best suits your needs! Taking a class with other students can have an adverse effect on learners. They might feel that the remaining students are too slow or too fast. As a result, we believe that private lessons are the perfect solution (especially from level A2 on)!
FIND A PARTNER – We already said that you should learn a new language at your own pace. But we also believe that it can be effective to have a learning partner! If you have decided to learn Portuguese with software, you might learn the principles of the language. But that methodology won’t prepare you for a fluent conversation. That requires solid knowledge and understanding of the language. Try to practice your Portuguese with your partner. If you do it often you will be surprised by your progress.·
LISTENING – If you are an intermediate student of Portuguese (B1 or B2), you must listen to other people speaking Portuguese! It is critical! This can be as simple as turning your TV (or radio) to a Portuguese channel (try with subtitles in Portuguese as well). The words (language) that are used in TV / Radio programs are what Portuguese people use on a daily basis.
WRITE IN PORTUGUESE – Writing in Portuguese is a great activity for your learning. This will give you the chance to consolidate many words and structures. Try to use different tenses while writing in Portuguese (simple present, simple past, future, imperative, and other verb tenses). Ask your teacher to correct your texts. Analyze them and revise the information. Once again, don’t expect perfection. Be patient and tolerant with yourself!
READ IN PORTUGUESE – If you are an A1, A2, or B1 student don’t try to read a Portuguese novel! Spend your time reading texts for your current level of competencies. If your level is already B2 (or C1) you are ready to read almost everything in Portuguese (newspapers, magazines, books). Keep yourself in contact with the language! That’s the key tip that we can offer you!
If you follow this advice, we are sure that you will build a strong foundation for the Portuguese language. Don’t forget that if you decide to start your learning process with Portuguese software that will help you with many of the basic communication. But, if you want to move forward with your competencies, you should do a Portuguese course in Lisbon
If your Portuguese level is already B1, this means that you can already communicate with people if they speak Portuguese with you in a slow and careful way.
Intermediate students of Portuguese in Lisbon (levels B1 and B2) face new challenges on this level.
When you’re starting from level A1, you have to learn basic grammar and the rules of Portuguese sounds. And you have to spend some time memorizing the key rules of the language.
However, once you reach level B1, things change. At this point, you have to find a way to speak Portuguese on a daily basis. You won’t be able to consolidate B1 grammar content in Portuguese without speaking every day.
Check the grammar content at this stage of learning:
Subjunctive in Portuguese can be hard. We use these structures to talk about and describe possibilities, things that are not real, and the wishes and fears that we have.
There are many connectors to learn and repetition plays a critical role at this point. Learning these Portuguese connectors isn’t enough. You have to use them often. You also have to hear people using it. Hopefully, you will recognize them during the conversation.
Another important tip is: to find a teacher to converse with in Portuguese. It must be an experienced teacher that will lead you toward those tenses and grammar structures that you’re learning and consolidating. Random talk is also useful but isn’t enough to improve your Portuguese consistently.
Watching television with Portuguese subtitles is also a great tip at this point.
When someone decides to learn Portuguese, a complex process begins in which many important decisions are made! Usually, one of the first decisions made by students of Portuguese is to buy a Portuguese language learning-teaching manual.
When opening the Portuguese textbook for the first time, the student immediately asks himself an important question. Where to start? Is it necessary to memorize all this information? Do I have to memorize all the verb tables? Do I have to focus on the prepositions? What about numbers, are they essential? Cardinal or ordinal? What about sounds, should I memorize the rules that explain each sound? And articles, when to use them? The doubts are many and without an (experienced) teacher it is very difficult to define a route that will lead you to success.
There are several CRUCIAL elements to learn in the Portuguese language. In this article, we will talk about just one: which Portuguese verbs, in our opinion, are essential! Come along with us!
Let’s start with the verb tenses in Portuguese. There are many in the Portuguese language, but an A1 level student (beginner) should ALWAYS start with the present tense.
REGULAR AND IRREGULAR VERBS IN PORTUGUESE
It is fundamental to know what distinguishes a regular verb from an irregular verb in the Portuguese language. Regular verbs are those that are always conjugated in the same way. The endings we use are always the same. Thus, all students who know how to conjugate a regular verb, necessarily know how to conjugate all regular verbs.
REGULAR VERBS IN THE PRESENT TENSE IN PORTUGUESE
In the “PRESENTE do INDICATIVO” there are three types of regular verbs:
VERBS ENDING in -AR. Examples: trabalhar, morar, estudar, comprar.
VERBS ENDING in -ER. Examples: comer, beber.
VERBS ENDING in-IR. Example: partir
IRREGULAR VERBS IN THE PRESENT TENSE
In the Portuguese language, we have a long list of irregular verbs in the present tense. Should an A1-level student memorize all of them? In our opinion, the answer is no, students of Portuguese should not try to memorize all irregular verbs. There are however 4 verbs that every student should know as soon as possible. We are talking about the verbs SER, ESTAR, TER, and IR: All other irregular verbs should be learned with exposure to the language. Students need to start communicating regularly. Slowly they will consolidate the conjugations more or less naturally. Now let’s look at the conjugation of the 4 essential verbs!
The importance of regular verbs and these four irregular verbs is TREMENDOUS in the progression of Portuguese students. From the very first day of class, we SHARE this opinion with our students. We regularly test them to make sure that everyone is comfortable with these conjugations. If you study Portuguese, follow our advice and memorize these conjugations! It is one of the basics of the Portuguese language!
PHONE: 925 611 952
EMAIL: speak@lisbonlanguagecafe.pt
ADDRESS: Rua do Instituto Industrial, number 18, floor 3, right door – Santos
LISBON LANGUAGE CAFÉ
