Lisbon Study Week 2023
The Study Week project is a week-long immersion program for adult Portuguese language learners, which aims to enhance their language skills and boost their confidence.
It's a unique opportunity for students to immerse in Portuguese language accompanied by a teacher and experience the Portuguese culture in a way no classroom course can ever achieve!
How it works
We travel as a group to Portugal and spend a week in Lisbon studying Portuguese at a Portuguese language Centre in the mornings, on a semi-intensive regime of lessons, and, in the afternoons and some of the evenings, we meet up to engage in various activities carefully planned by me with the objective to expand their speaking and listening skills in Portuguese language in real life as well as to raise their awareness of the rich Portuguese heritage and culture.
After-school activities
Activities are organised considering how useful they are in boosting students' confidence when tackling real-life exchanges in Portuguese language. They are also planned around the rich Portuguese heritage, so to offer students a chance to broaden their understanding of the local cultural dynamics and how this links to language. Some examples of activities we have conducted in past excursions were:
Boot Sale experience - beginners were taken to a 'boot sale' and, with my help, questioned local vendors about their products. They practised numbers in Portuguese, asking simple 'shopping' questions, listening to simple replies etc.
Placing Orders - Beginners also practised placing orders at restaurants, understanding menus in Portuguese, asking simple questions in local shops.
Understanding Written Instructions - students joined a Treasure Hunt activity in Portuguese around Lisbon downtown, getting a closer look into its monuments, landmarks and the language surrounding them.
Guided walk tours - students have the option to join English or Portuguese guided tours with professional guides I hire who tailor the tours according to my guidelines so to offer a richer cultural and language experience.
Other activities are half-day experiences with private experts such as wine and cheese makers, olive oil lectures, guided tours of historic buildings, restaurants, gardens, trips to the theatre, cinema etc.
The school
CIAL is a award-winning language centre with branches in Lisbon and Faro.
The school has excellent facilities and is very well located near public transport and a stone's throw from restaurants, parks, shops and other amenities. You can find out more about the school in their website.
On the first day - Students with no formal experience in Portuguese language are placed in a beginners group and students who wish to study at a higher level are directed to sit a placement test so their level can be assessed and they can be inserted into the correct group. I personally liason with the school when necessary in order to better accommodate my students. For instance, should a A2 student wish to be placed on a beginners group, this can be arranged. Alternatively, should any student wish to have private tuition instead, this can also be sorted. The school also caters for those wishing to study Brazilian Portuguese or specialist courses such as CAPLE exam preparations etc.
A typical day ...
The course runs from Monday to Friday, from 9am to approximately 12pm.
Just before 9am, I will meet and greet the students in our group arriving at CIAL for their daily lessons. Students will take part in 3 sessions of 50 minutes each, totalling 2 hours and 30 minutes of daily instruction.
Lunch time - I will meet the group again as we head for lunch. Lunch time is an opportunity to put into practise the skills developed in the lessons: placing orders, menu reading etc. I always accompany the group, offering guidance and help so that they can make the most of their stay in Lisbon as far as language practice is concerned. Lunch is always held in a special location, all reservations are handled by me.
After lunch - students have some free time to rest and do their homework for the next morning.
In the middle of the afternoon we meet up again for a special activity, as detailed above.
Evenings are also filled with chances to practise Portuguese -
I recommend activities for the group according to their age, interests and availability. We can catch a play at the National Theatre, visit traditional bars, enjoy live music, go to the cinema etc.
Our timetable is very busy, but there is always one free afternoon and one free evening added to it so that everyone has time to enjoy Lisbon on their own terms.
Taking part in the activities is never compulsory but strongly encouraged. Students with mobility issues are very welcome to join us as well.
Package
Course Fee - 285 Euros
Admin Fee - 80 British Pounds
Admin Fee will be collected in April 2023.
Course Fee will be calculated in Pounds and collected in June 2023.
Course registrations and school payments will be handled by Portuguese on Demand for your convenience.
The Course Fee and Admin Fee includes:
2h30min of group tuition at CIAL Lisboa for 5 consecutive days, totalling 12h30min of tuition
Textbook
Certificate
Teacher guidance throughout your stay
Reservation services for restaurants and other venues which are part of the program
Organisation of all aspects related to the social and educational activities after school.
24 hour teacher assistance during your stay
What is not included:
Air travel to and from Portugal
Transportation charges
Tours and Experiences
Accommodation
Personal expenses
Food and drink
You can place your reservation today, free of charge, by filling in the Contact Form