Find out which course level is right for you

Take the self-assessment if you are joining us for the first time, OR are returning to continue learning Portuguese after a break. Our broad course offering spans 9 levels and the first thing to know is which course level is right for you. The self assessment below provides a good indication of where to start your learning. There is more detailed information on the levels and their place in the CEF below too.

Lets get started ….

The 2 minute self-assessment

1 - Do you speak any other languages? Particularly Spanish, French or Italian?

• 1 point per language

• 2 points each when Spanish, French or Italian

• 1 point for Latin

2 - Have you learnt any language at school to a good level of above elemental proficiency?

• 3 points if you have

3 - Have you picked up much Portuguese vocabulary so far? 

• 1 point - a bit of basics

• 2 points - a fair bit

• 3 points - a good amount

4 - Can you understand spoken Portuguese?

• 1 point - the odd word

• 3 points - some people in conversation

• 5 points - understand most of what I hear

5 - Can you understand written Portuguese? 

• 1 point - a few words

• 3 points - about 30-50%

• 5 points – I understand most of what I read

6 - Can you speak any Portuguese?  

• 1 point – a few words

• 3 points - in certain situations

• 5 points – fairly well

7 - How did you learn the Portuguese you currently know?

• 1 point – using apps and picking up words here and there

• 2 points – in a class

• 3 points – private tuition

8 - Do you know what the different ‘parts of speech’ are? (nouns, verbs,..)

• 1 point - if yes

9 - Do you know what verb conjugation / declension is?

• 1 point - if yes

10 - Are you familiar with the present tense in Portuguese?  

• 2 points - yes, somewhat

• 5 points - yes, and I am familiar with the irregular verbs

11 - Are you familiar with the past tense in Portuguese?  

• 2 points - yes, somewhat

• 5 points - yes, and I am familiar with the irregular verbs

12 - Are you familiar with other grammatical points such as passive voice, indirect objects, different past tenses?

• 2 points - yes, somewhat

• 3 points – yes, fairly well

• 5 points - yes, very well

ADD UP YOUR POINTS

Level 1 (beginner - A1.1, A1.2, A1.3) – less than 10 points

Level 2 (elementary - A2.1, A2,2, A2.3) – 11 to 20 points

Level 3 (intermediate - B1.1, B1.2, B1.3) – over 21 points

What did you get?

3 extra questions to be sure:  

I - Are you looking to learn words and practise pronunciation of words mostly?  

• This is the focus of level 1 (A1) classes and courses  

II - Are you at the stage where you want to be putting sentences together? 

• This is what level 2 (A2) classes and courses focus on.  

III - Do you feel you know quite a lot but want to be putting it together more nicely and building confidence and getting more accurate? 

• In this case, a level 3 (B1) course will suit you, (or perhaps the book club)

Some more information to help you decide your level

Courses are offered from total beginner to intermediate. The aim of all the lessons is to get you speaking and understanding European Portuguese. Grammar is introduced gradually in level A1 and A2 and covered in more detail in level B1.

We offer 9 levels (here in order):

A1.1(1a) – A1.2 (1b) – A1.3 (1c) – A2.1 (2a) – A2.2 (2b) – A2.3 (2c) – B1.2 (3a) – B1.2 (3b) – B1.2 (3c).

Level A1.1 (1a) is total beginner, a novice. Once you have completed A2.3 (2c) you are at A2 level on the CEF framework, and B1.1 (3a) - B1.3 (3c) correspond to level B1 in the European Framework of languages.

Our courses follow the Common European Framework (CEF) of language learning.
Here’s a very detailed table with the levels we offer, the content of each level and how it relates to the CEF - i.e A1, A2, B1 levels.

Now you have a good indication of what level course to register for, let’s go to the next step.

Are you looking for -
A SELF-STUDY PROGRAMME or PRIVATE LESSONS?
or GROUP CLASSES?

** For A2 CIPLE preparation, information on that is here **