Classes can be held in traditional classrooms, the auditorium, the kitchen (for Brazilian cuisine classes), or even outside of the school so that students have meaningful encounters with local customs and experiences. The focus of our program is on gramma

Location:

Olinda, Brazil

Program Type:

Volunteer Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Work Types:

Arts, Health, Translation

Duration:

1-3 months

Program Overview

Program Description:

The Olinda Portuguese Language School provides an engaging environment that promotes constant interaction between students and instructors (all natives) through cultural activities, parties, excursions, soccer, music and the human warmth of our team. We are located in the city of Olinda, Pernambuco, a city known for its rich cultural significance, and also for hosting one of the largest Carnival celebrations in Brazil. With a great number of hotels, bars and restaurants, the city offers both entertainment and safety. Olinda boasts a full cultural calendar year-round, with many events in music, art, crafts, and folklore. The amenities of The Olinda Portuguese Language School make it one of a kind. We have comfortable climate-controlled classrooms, a reading room, a small auditorium with a 30-person capacity, an Internet room, a wireless zone, a break room, and a large kitchen for student use or for use during cultural classes on Brazilian cuisine. Besides this, we have free space where students can relax and get to know each other.

Classes can be held in traditional classrooms, the auditorium, the kitchen (for Brazilian cuisine classes), or even outside of the school so that students have meaningful encounters with local customs and experiences. The focus of our program is on grammatically correct communication. Classes are casual, with the frequent use of audio material, video, texts, conversations, and workbook exercises, in addition to other fun activities meant to facilitate learning. Olinda School provides a complete experience for their students, offering above all, a close encounter between students and authentic Brazilian culture, and not only introducing students to conventional commercial activity and tourist attractions, but also experiencing day to day life with their students, as integral presences in their lives. To offer quality and accuracy in the instruction of Portuguese for foreigners, with an emphasis on Brazilian culture, through objective and transparent means, and by creating an educational environment based on trust and community, The Olinda Portuguese Language School stakes itself on its human assets: all instructors are native speakers, university graduates, with additional fluency in English and Spanish, and with expertise in Portuguese Language instruction for foreigners. Also, instructors utilize their own methods and materials, and diversify their techniques in order to engage diverse groups of students, across ages.

We offer regular courses in Portuguese Language Instruction for Foreigners in both group and private lessons, for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. For the best learning experience, the group courses are limited to a maximum of 6 people per class, and class meets Monday through Friday. Private lessons are available for new or advanced students, and professionals who have a specific focus in either verbal or written communication, or in particular themes and vocabularies. Private lessons are perfect for people who have only a short time for language training. These classes also meet Monday through Friday.

Setting Description:

Olinda is a Brazilian municipality in the state of Pernambuco, which is located in the metropolitan region of Recife, and is one of the most well preserved colonial cities in Brazil. It was the second Brazilian city to be declared a Historical and Cultural Heritage Site of Humanity by UNESCO in 1982. Olinda is a very special city, and whoever visits it will understand what this means, far beyond the city’s beautiful colored houses and hills. A wonderful example of what the historic city of Olinda has to offer is its extensive calendar of events throughout the year, with cultural events such as crafts fairs, and celebrations of reggae, samba, maracatu, and afoxé. There are also more intimate happenings within bars, restaurants, and clubs, which have literary nights, delicious food, live music and more. And, there are other places along the coast where people gather in crowds every night. All of these examples demonstrate that Olinda is a versatile city, and that you can find here whate