Pre-Intermediate Workshop

Learn Brazilian Portuguese online without giving up personal contact with a real teacher.

 ABOUT THE COURSE

The Pre-Intermediate Workshop offers easy-to-follow lessons and a perfect balance between theory and practice that will help you become more conversational and comfortable speaking Portuguese.
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This course is suitable for upper-beginner students who would like to review basic content and be introduced to intermediate-level topics.

If you’re not sure this course is a good option for you, see the other courses we offer HERE.

Here’s what you get when you enroll:

BASIC PLAN

  • Comprehensive study materials
    The course consists of 12 modules, including video lessons, downloadable PDFs, and exercises. All our materials are bilingual: Portuguese-English.
  • Feedback on homework assignments and personalized support
    You will have access to an online community where you can post your homework to receive feedback from our teachers. This space can also be used to ask questions at any time and interact with other students.
  • Lifetime access to the course​
    You’ll have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like.
  • Course completion certificate
    At the end of the course, you will receive a certificate after taking the final test.

PREMIUM PLAN


The Premium Plan offers everything that is included in the Basic Plan plus:

  • 12 group classes via Zoom
    Practice your Portuguese live with a Brazilian teacher and a small group of students once a week for 12 weeks (6-10 students per class). Class recordings are available for 30 days.
  • Weekly Q&A Sessions with teacher Virginia
    Have your questions answered by teacher Virginia in weekly Q&A sessions via Zoom for 12 weeks.

See tentative schedule here.

COURSE CURRICULUM

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Workshop # 1

How to talk about professions, nationalities, and your daily routine using the verbs SER and ESTAR, regular verbs, and the verb TER.

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Workshop # 2

How to talk about hobbies, family, food, and grocery shopping using the future tense.

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Workshop # 3

How to talk about food and restaurants using common vocabulary and the conditional tense.

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Workshop # 4

How to talk about your weekend using the simple past tense (pretérito perfeito).

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Workshop # 5

Let’s play a game: Never have I ever… – Fun practice of verbs in the past tense and vocabulary acquisition.

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Workshop # 6

How to talk about things you used to do in the past using the imperfect past tense (pretérito imperfeito).

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Workshop # 7

Introduction to the subjunctive mood and present subjunctive tense. How to use the present subjunctive tense in real-life conversations.

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Workshop # 8

Introduction to the imperfect subjunctive tense. How to use the imperfect subjunctive tense in real-life conversations.

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Workshop # 9

Introduction to the future subjunctive tense. How to use the future subjunctive tense in real-life conversations.

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Workshop # 10

Introduction to compound tenses. How to use the pretérito perfeito composto tense in real-life conversations.

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Workshop # 11

Vocabulary acquisition: idiomatic expressions. How to use Brazilian idioms in real-life conversations.

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Workshop # 12

Vocabulary acquisition: traveling. How to talk about your favorite trips. Students’ final presentations (live session).

Testimonials

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY

“What a wonderful experience this course has been and is. It is so well organized — I look forward to each new module and feel a new confidence in my progress — I always have the sense that I am in good hands. The structure is comfortingly predictable, and at the same time, there is an always engaging and challenging variety of activities. I enjoy my fellow students, and my instructors are expert, patient, and inspirationally energetic! I look forward to every encounter.”

— Malcolm W.

“I have enjoyed both the beginning and intermediate levels and now look forward to the Academy. Speaking Brazilian is a welcoming approach to learning the language. I was nervous for the first workshop, but the teacher brought out the best in each student, and I have felt comfortable throughout the courses. I am grateful for the many resources available. The more one takes advantage of these, the more progress is possible. It’s a pleasure to be able to converse, read newspapers and watch films in my new language.”

Roger E.

“Having zero knowledge of Portuguese 6 months ago, I have been able to quickly progress to a conversational level thanks to Speaking Brazilian. The mix of audio, video (including live classes), and written resources within each module has been so important in helping me develop all aspects of my language: listening, speaking, and reading. Information within each of these resources is presented in such a way that even complex language topics feel both approachable and surmountable. Thank you to Virginia and the rest of the team!”

— Danny H.

“I highly recommend the Pre-intermediate Workshop for those who want to get a thorough overview of the most important grammar and, at the same time, get to practice writing and speaking with other students! You get help from very competent teachers who have a lot of patience and know how to motivate you every day. Not only that, you have a lot of fun during the lessons too and always long for the next one!”

— Linnéa N.

MEET THE TEAM

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

Oi, pessoal!

I’m Virginia, your Brazilian Portuguese teacher.

I created this school to help Portuguese learners around the world achieve their dream of becoming fluent in Brazilian Portuguese.

I’ve always been passionate about languages. Other than Portuguese (my native language), I also speak English, French, and Spanish. My own experience with foreign language learning has given me the vital tools to help my students in their learning journey.

Now, I’m pleased to introduce you to my team. In addition to years of experience as Portuguese teachers, they have also been trained by me to be in tune with the Speaking Brazilian School style and standards.

I’m sure you’ll learn a lot from them!

Gleice Vakhraneva

From Rio de Janeiro State

Monica Schmidt

From São Paulo City

Venus Santos

From São Paulo City

Gabriel Gallinari

From São Paulo City

Alice Jacome

From Minas Gerais

Ana Elisa

From Curitiba

Thalita Barros

From São Paulo

START YOUR LEARNING JOURNEY WITH US!

Your Bonus: Verb Conjugation Crash Course

When you enroll in this course, you will also get the Verb Conjugation Crash Course as a bonus ($97 value). This course will complement your studies and help you understand all the verb conjugations used in Brazilian Portuguese.

Premium Classes – Tentative Schedule

You will be able to choose your schedule when you sign up.

WEDNESDAY

7 pm EST

Professor Gabriel

THURSDAY

12 PM EST

Professora Venus

THURSDAY

7 pm EST

Professora Monica

SATURDAY

10 am EST

Professora Monica

FAQ – Things you need to know

Who should join the Pre-Intermediate Workshop?

This course is suitable for upper-beginner students who would like to review basic content and be introduced to intermediate-level topics. It’s great for intermediate-level learners who would like to brush up on their Portuguese.

This course is not recommended for absolute beginners (regardless of whether you speak a Romance language). At least 3-6 months of regular study is recommended before joining this course. Live classes are about 80% in Portuguese and 20% in English. The minimum enrollment age is 18 years old.

Not sure what course is best for you? Click here to take a placement test.

How does the course work?

The course is a combination of a self-paced digital course and live classes via Zoom with a Brazilian teacher in a small group setting.

You can choose between the Basic Plan (digital course) and the Premium Plan (digital course + live sessions).

The course is divided into 12 modules. Each module includes downloadable worksheets, video lessons, and exercises.

Once you’re enrolled, you’ll have access to a new module every week. If you get behind, don’t worry. Come back to the lessons when you have time.

In addition to the digital course, the Premium Plan includes group classes via Zoom (6-10 students) and weekly Q&A sessions. Once a week, you’ll receive a link for a live lesson with your teacher and a small group of students. If you can’t attend the live class, you can watch a recording later. All classes are recorded, and a recording is available for 30 days.

What is the class schedule?

The Basic Plan is completely self-paced, so you can set your own schedule and take as long as you like to complete the course. The course is divided into 12 modules. We recommend studying one module per week to complete the course in 12 weeks. Please note that this is an intensive and comprehensive course. It will take you around 2-3 hours per week to complete each module.

The Premium Plan follows a set schedule with group classes for 12 weeks. You can choose the best time for your live classes when you sign up. Places per class are limited to 6-10 students. Live classes via Zoom last 55 minutes.

The Premium Plan also includes a weekly Q&A session with teacher Virginia on Saturdays, time TBD.

How does the live class work?

The Premium Plan includes group classes via Zoom for 12 weeks. You can choose the best time for your live classes when you sign up. Places per class are limited to 6-10 students. Live classes via Zoom last 55 minutes.

Live classes are not required to complete this course but are recommended. If you miss a class, you can watch a recording later. All classes are recorded and available for replay for 30 days.
If you join a live class, you agree to have the class recorded and to participate in class conversation and exercises. If you don’t want to participate in class, we recommend that you watch a recording instead.

* Please note that the Basic Plan does not include live sessions.

When does the course start and finish?

The Basic Plan is a completely self-paced online course – you decide when you start and when you finish. We recommend studying one module a week to complete the course in 12 weeks.

The Premium Plan follows a set schedule with group classes for 12 weeks. If you want to get the most out of the weekly live classes and be on the same page as other students, we recommend completing modules as they are released, one module per week for 12 weeks from the time of enrollment.

How long do I have access to the course?

How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like – across any and all devices you own. Live classes are limited to 12 weeks from the moment you sign up.

When can I sign up for the course?

You can sign up for the Basic Plan at any time.

The Premium Plan is offered three times a year, in February, May, and September. Registration for each class opens a couple of weeks before the start date of each class. If you would like to be notified when enrollment for the Premium Plan begins,  click here to add your name to the waitlist.

How much does it cost?

The Basic Plan (digital course) costs US $297 + tax.
The Premium Plan (digital course + group classes) costs US $497 + tax.

Payment plans are also available.

What if I am unhappy with the course?

We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with the course, contact us within the first 30 days (from the date of purchase), and we will give you a full refund.

30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

It’s 100% risk-free to try out this course.

Feel free to try it for 30 days to see if it works for you. 

If you’re not happy with this course for any reason, just let us know within 30 days from the date of registration, and you’ll get all your money back.

30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

It’s 100% risk-free to try out this course.

Feel free to try it for 30 days to see if it works for you. 

If you’re not happy with this course for any reason, just let us know within 30 days from the date of registration, and you’ll get all your money back.