Make yourself at home
Tailor-made lessons for executives and diplomats
Being an expatriate in Portugal without knowing the main aspects of the Portuguese language can lead to misunderstandings and is to constantly miss the opportunity of discovering so much that the country has to offer. Learning the basic aspects of the Portuguese language will allow the understanding of the nuances that can make all the difference and enrich life in the country.
Integrate yourself quickly
Whether for practical reasons or intellectual motives, or even sentimental ones, many expatriates feel the need to study Portuguese although, in most cases, the available courses offered are not suited to neither their availability nor their needs.
Portuguese lessons for executives and diplomats
Dealing on a daily basis with multinationals and embassies, we have developed a practical and flexible approach regarding Portuguese courses for foreigners living in Portugal.
We prepare tailor-made classes for executives, managers and diplomats who feel themselves to be out of place in Portugal. We have teachers in Lisbon, Oporto and Coimbra who design exclusive classes according to the needs of learners. These are lessons for a maximum of 4-5 who seek to learn solely what they need.
Goals
General goals include the acquisition, development and consolidation of knowledge and skills in the Portuguese language, the ability to understand and express oneself orally as well as the ability to understand and write text.
Methodology
These lessons place emphasis on a communicative, action-oriented approach, together with the necessary learning of the structure of the language and vocabulary acquisition, taking into account the gradual evolution of learning contents, corresponding to the intended language levels.
Programs are drawn up according with the language level of learners, themes and grammar structures, always taking the specific domains into account (fields of expertise or spheres of interest) in which learners need to act/must be ready to act.
Our programs seek to address aspects connected with the culture and history of Portugal, traditional stories and legends, Portuguese gastronomic traditions, Portuguese musical tradition and/or other aspects that may be considered of interest to learners at issue.
In order to provide a practical framework, we use support material selected from several sources, such as handbooks, newspapers, magazines, audio material, TV shows, and the internet.
Other needs
We also prepare those intending to take the Portuguese language test for the acquisition of citizenship and/or exam of Portuguese as a foreign language.
Location
Classes can be held both in the participant’s workplace or elsewhere. Currently the service can be provided in Lisbon, Oporto and Coimbra.
Teaching levels
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages defines the following levels, based on which individualised programs and mechanisms of success assessment are defined.
Basic User – A1 and A2 levels
Independent User – B1 and B2 levels
Proficient User – C1 and C2 levels
Basic level
A1 level (Beginners) – the learner can understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and very easy sentences that are aimed at satisfying specific needs; they can interact in a simple way provided that the other person speaks slowly and clearly.
A2 level (Rudimentary) – the learner can understand phrases and expressions of common usage relating to contexts of immediate relevance. They are able to communicate in routine activities that require a simple exchange of information on familiar and common subjects.
Independent level
B1 level (Threshold) – the learner is able to understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, leisure, etc. They are able to produce a simple, connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
B2 level (Advantage) – the learner is able to understand the main ideas of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions inherent to their own field of expertise. They are able to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite feasible without imposing any strain on either party.
Proficient level
C1 level (Autonomy) – the learner is able to understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. They can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.
C2 level (Proficiency) – the learner is able to understand with ease, virtually everything heard or read. They are able to summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. They are able to express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
Structure of training programs
– Packs of 30, 40, 60 or 80 hours
– Packs of over 80 hours (an hour of class is generally considered as lasting 50 minutes).
Each session shall last 50 or 90 minutes. Attendance of 2 sessions per week is advised.
We recommend three sessions per week for beginners. Nonetheless, this aspect will be at the discretion of the interested parties, as well as the work schedule.
Teaching staff
According with ONOMA’s quality standards, teachers are selected according to their qualifications and experience, thus ensuring beforehand the best and desired learning results.
