BRAZIL

Study Portuguese

 Language and Culture Program in Brazil

 General Information about the programs

Where is the school located?

The school is located on the Porto da Barra Beach. This is the most beautiful beach of the city and it is near the historic district / Pelourinho. It is a safe neighborhood close to restaurants, stores, banks, post office, cyber cafes, Laundromat  and a big shopping mall.

It consists of a big and beautiful 2 story-house with

Nine air-conditioned classrooms provided with-sound- audio equipments

kitchen for gastronomy classes

Saloom for Samba dancing, Capoeira and yoga classes

Large outdoor green area for chating and smoking

Free internet and WiFi, coffee and tea

First day of language classes

Classes start on Monday at 9:00 o´clock. On the first day, students should arrive at 8:30 am for the placement interview and the procedures. After that they will receive the book and start the classes.

Coffee break is at 10:40 for ten minutes.

At 12:30 there is the welcome meeting with the staff.

• Last day of language classes

Students receive a certificate at the end of the program.

Important:

• Each class has 50 minutes.
• Students per class in average? - 5 students.

• Student profile

In general, students under 18 are not allowed in  the programs, unless they are accompanied by a parent.

The age range usually varies between 20 and 50.

The school receives students from all over the world, mainly from the USA, Europe, Canada and Japan.

Students' motivations to study Portuguese are tourism, university courses or professional and business reasons.

• Teachers

The school only works with professional Brazilian teachers. All of them have a degree and can speak English, some can speak other languages. They are extremely dedicated and all of them are well-trained, participating in workshops, courses and events on a regular basis. 

Experience in providing courses in language for specific professional purposes?

We have given tuitions on an individual basis for professional purposes i.e. for medical, law, diplomats, flight attendants and business students, requiring specific vocabulary.

• What  is included on the program prices?

- Portuguese Languages classes

- Books and handouts 

- Discount card for shops and restaurants

- Capoeira classes

- Dancing classes - Samba and Forró

- Cultural excursions and sightseeing

- Intercultural Conversation Meeting with Brazilians

- Yoga classes

Computers with fast Internet and WiFi

Coffee and tea

• What you can include in your program?

Accommodation with breakfast or half board

Airport pick up - arrival or departure

Gastronomy classes - Bahian and Brazilian food

percussion and music

surfing classes 

Trips to another cities in Bahia

• What is not included?

Public transportation and tickets during the excursions

Food and drinks during activities and excursions

·Volunteering and internship

The school helps students to find voluntary work in NGO's that assist street children, the elderly, people with cancer, people living in skid-row areas and other people with special needs. These volunteers are supposed to teach or give different kinds of workshop or assistance.

Portuguese Language Programs

Language Classes Schedule

Students have classes from Monday to Friday,from 9 am to 12:30 pm.

Coffee break at 10:40 am

Classes in the afternoon happens from 1:30 pm to 3:10 pm

Classes in small groups

The average number throughout the year is 5 students in a group.

In case there is only one student enrolled in a group (e.g. Brazil Workshop), the program will be changed to private lessons.

Changing groups/ levels

If you wants to move to a different level just talk to the coordinator. All group changes must be approved by the academic coordinator. Students can only change groups once.

Language Programs

Brazil Workshop

This program offers 4 lessons in a group day. Total of 20 lessons a week, from Monday through Friday,

Intensive 1 and Intensive 2

Besides the morning lessons, these programs include also one or two extra private lessons in the afternoon. 

Top Special, Top Speed and Top Plus

These programs offer two, four or six private lessons (one-to-one) a day.

Methodology

The school has chosen the Communicative Intercultural Method: we teach in Portuguese only, keeping the use of your native language to a minimum during daily classes and during various field trips. 

The school developed the teaching handouts for all levels: Falo Português I ,II and III. Generally this books cover the situations and vocabulary that a foreigner encounters in Brazil. Each book is planned to be worked on during 4 weeks

Classes are focused on conversation, though there will also be writing (10%), reading (10%) and grammar (30%) requirements. Approximately 50% of class time is dedicated to speaking and understanding. Students also learn by listening to local music or by role-playing everyday situations. A variety of teaching methods are used to make lessons fun, besides being an effective way to improve and intensify language skills.

Contents

The most important objective of the language courses is to achieve the ability to successfully communicate in Brazilian Portuguese. That means that not only grammar and vocabulary, but also listening, reading, and writing skills as well as conversation in modern colloquial Portuguese are taught. An introduction to the Brazilian way of life, customs, politics and

culture represents an important part of the classes. For a more comprehensive description, ask for the course syllabus.

Teaching method

The special characteristics of Diálogo language programs are the great amount of conversational-training in class as well as the integration of cultural activities, following the principles of the Communicative Approach for language teaching. Lessons are taught in Portuguese and they are carefully prepared for each level. In an agreeable way, games, music, videos, and other kinds of teaching support  are used to develop listening and conversation skills, which prepare students to perform different tasks in real life situations.

Performance evaluation

Students' performance is accessed according to how much they are able to produce in the target language as well as their commitment with the course, i.e., whether they attend classes on a regular basis; whether they do their homework assignments; etc.

Cultural Activities

The school offers cultural activities as a complement of scheduled language learning. Classes take place in the afternoon, after the language classes. The instructors are specialized in working with foreigners.

All the cultural activities are happening in the afternoon, after the language classes.

Capoeira Classes

Samba and Forró dancing

Gastronomy classes - Food and Caipirinhas included!

Conversation Meeting

Exchange project with Brazilians - TANDEM - It is an invaluable way to improve the language and learn more about Brazilian culture.

Yoga Classes

Sport activities

• Surfing on weekends
• Diving
• Gym and Fitness

Cultural Excursions and Visits

As part of the program, the school offers excursions and tours guided from a bilingual guide.

• Panoramic Tour
• City Tour to the Historic Center - Pelourinho   
• Bahian Folkloric Dance Show
• Candomblé Ceremony - Afro-Brazilian religion

Trips to another cities

• Cachoeira and São Felix    
• Praia do Forte and Projeto TAMAR
• National Park- Chapada Diamantina
• Island Morro de S. Paulo

Credit Card

The best and easierst way to get money in Brazil is with a credit card. Inspite of that it is always possible to have your card copied /cloned, because of this it is important to get the guaranty of the card against hackers.    

Health insurance

The Brazilian health system doesn´t accept the health insurance card as a payment. Students have to pay to the clinic or hospital directly and get a receipt of the payment. This document will be necessary to get the amount refunded from the insurance company in their country.

Services

Phone use - to make domestic calls, dial: 0 + (company code) + city code + phone number

For international calls, dial: 00 + (company code) + country code + city code + phone number

Public transport - There is no subway in the city. Bus costs $ 1.3.

Credit Cards - Are They Safe and accepted almost everywhere.

Health Insurance - Make a health insurance before traveling. In Brazil, you can use medical services upon payment. You will receive a receipt to submit to the insurance company when you return home, to have the amount refunded.

Emergencies: Clinical Cato - Phone: 3324-3147 / 3324-3148 or Hosp.Português - Phone: 3203-5555

Police- the Tourist Protection -Phone: 322-1188 / 320-4103-Center

Federal Police - VISA- International Airport Dep.Luis E.Magalhães, Phone: 3204-1010

For your safety

Other cultures, other customs! Below are some important precautions:

- Just take a little money in a purse or pocket.

- Leave passports and jewelry at home. Take a copy of the passport with you.

- Do not take people you've met on the street to your hosting or to school.

- Avoid to walk the streets at dawn. It is better to take a taxi.

- Do not use drugs and don´t drink too much alcohol during your trip.

Thank you for your attention!  

                   Prices  2015  -  US DOLLAR

All programs include:

• Portuguese language lessons, placement tests, books and didactical material
• Free Internet, WiFi, drinking water, coffee and tea
• Free Capoeira,Samba dancing and yoga lessons
• Free cultural tours and excursions
• Conversation meetings with Brazilian students
• City tour, cultural excursions and movie sessions
• Cooking classes and surf camping have additional fees
• Simple Hotel and Tourist Class Hotel prices vary according to the season.

Registration Fee: US$ 60

Volunteering - administration fee: US$123

• Carnival Accommodation Package: US$ 377

During Carnival the school offers only HOME STAY as accommodation.

It includes: 5 nights home stay/ single room + breakfast

In 2015 Carnival nights will be: from February 08^th  to  February 18^th

For more informations please contact us:

info@ontimeta.com