Lingua Service Worldwide, Ltd.

Learn Portuguese Salvador, Bahia

Salvador, founded in 1549, is the capital of the state of Bahia. For over 200 years, it was also the capital of Brazil. Nowadays, Salvador is a modern metropolis with two million inhabitants, yet it still boasts its colonial treasures of the past - the largest collection of baroque architecture to be found in Latin America - as well as a vibrant, modern culture that is reflected in its innovative music, dance, fine-arts and unique lifestyle.

In every part of the city you will be surrounded by Salvador's cultural heritage, a mixture of Portuguese and African influences. Salvador's historic district, Pelourinho, offers a non-stop exotic blend of typical music, dress, dance and food, as well as impressive colonial architecture and baroque churches. The numerous beautiful beaches stretching across All Saints Bay offer unlimited possibilities for your spare time. Salvador offers students the opportunity to learn Portuguese and be immersed in the Brazilian culture in one of the most fascinating cities in the country.

 Portuguese Language Courses at The Dialogo Institute, in Salvador, Brazil

Dialogo Institute

The teaching material "Dialogo - Falo Portugues" (included in the cost of the course) has been especially developed by a team of Portuguese teachers at the Institute and offers an innovative and communicative way of learning the Portuguese language. The Portuguese teaching method takes into consideration the reality of daily life of the students attending the workshop- (newspaper and magazine articles, games and songs form and integral part of daily lessons.)

Students of the Brazil-Workshop will receive the equivalent of 4 Portuguese language lessons of 50 minutes each day, and groups will have a minimum of 2 and maximum of 9 students in each class. In the case of only one student enrolling, the student will have two Portuguese language lessons of 50 minutes each. Classes are held Monday to Friday morning or afternoon with the exception of official holidays.

Dialogo offers alternative Brazilian cultural activities: videos of documentary programs centering around Brazilian culture and Portuguese language, visits to the theater and local folklore events, Capoeira demonstrations (a kind of acrobatic dance mixed with martial arts), and Candomble ceremonies (the Afro-Brazilian religious ceremony). For students interested in learning more about Brazilian music, percussion, Capoeira or Afro-Brazilian dances, Dialogo can arrange courses locally.   All students have free access to the internet at the school. After classes you can receive and send e-mails to your friends and family at home.

The institute runs various Portuguese language courses, depending on the students' previous knowledge. These courses are available between 1 and 8 weeks (1 + weeks for Top Speed courses).

A) Brazil Workshop Portuguese Language Course

1. The Beginners' Portuguese Course

• Students of this course will learn to communicate in simple Brazilian Portuguese. Available between 1 and 8 weeks.
• 20 Group Lessons per week. Maximum of 10 students per class. Minimum Course: 1 week.

2. The Mixed Portuguese Course

• Students choosing this variation complete the second half of the Beginners' and the first half of the Advanced course. Students must have a knowledge of the conjugation of verbs, the simple future, question forms, negatives, numbers and the main prepositions. Available between 1 and 6 weeks.
• 20 Group Portuguese Lessons per week. Maximum of 10 students per class. Minimum Course: 1 week.

3. The Advanced Portuguese Course

• Dialogo assumes a knowledge of Portuguese grammar (present continuous, past participles, present and imperfect of the irregular verbs, the use of prepositions, interrogatives, possessive adjectives and pronouns and demonstrative pronouns), all of which is consolidated by the study of both written and spoken Brazilian Portuguese (newspapers, literature, conversations, discussions...) Available between 1 and 4 weeks. 
• 20 Group Portuguese Lessons per week. Maximum of 10 students per class. Minimum Course: 1 week.

Brazil Workshop Portuguese Language Course Prices 2012:

(All programs: Please add USD 100.00 Lingua Service Worldwide Application fee. See Application Procedures.)

Prices include 20 Portuguese language lessons per week in a small group, placement test, teaching materials and certificate of completion. Each lesson is 50 minutes long.  Accommodations are now priced separately, see below for prices!.

Starting Dates:   Every Monday!

Official Brazilian Holidays 2012 (subject to change!) (no classes held on these dates):  1 Jan, 17-26 February (Carnaval), 6 April, 1 May, 7 Sept., 12 Oct., 2 Nov. and 25 Dec.

B) Intensive Portuguese Language Courses 2012:

These courses are ideal for students who want to learn Portuguese intensively for one or several weeks. The student will enter the normal Brazil Workshop Portuguese Course and will have either 1 or 2 additional Private Portuguese Language lesson in the afternoon:

Intensive Portuguese Language Course 1  - Brazil Workshop Plus 5 Private lessons-   Prices 2012:

(All programs: Please add USD 100.00 Lingua Service Worldwide Application fee. See Application Procedures.)

Prices include 20 Portuguese language lessons per week in a small group, 10 Private lessons, placement test, teaching materials and certificate of completion.  Accommodations are now priced separately, see below for prices!.

Important Note: Dialogo charges an extra USD 50 fee if application is received less than 30 days prior to arrival!.

Intensive Portuguese Language Course 2  - Brazil Workshop Plus 10 Private lessons-   Prices 2012:

(All programs: Please add USD 100.00 Lingua Service Worldwide Application fee. See Application Procedures.)

Prices include 20 Portuguese language lessons per week in a small group, 10 Private lessons, placement test, teaching materials and certificate of completion.  Accommodations are now priced separately, see below for prices!.

Important Note: Dialogo charges an extra USD 50 fee if application is received less than 30 days prior to arrival!.

Starting Dates:   Every Monday!

C) Top Speed Portuguese Language Courses  -  2012

The Institute's Top Speed Portuguese courses offer professionals the advantage of learning Portuguese fast by enrolling in a program composed entirely of private Portuguese lessons and adapted to their needs. These courses include all levels from beginner to advanced as well as refresher courses. The course can be adapted to the student's needs.  All Top Speed courses can start any Monday of the year.

1.  Special Portuguese Top-Speed Course:   This course comprises 2 one to one Portuguese language lessons of 50 minutes each per day (10 lessons per week).

 Prices include 20 Private Portuguese language lessons per week, placement test,  teaching materials and certificate of completion. Accommodations are now priced separately, see below for prices!.

2. Intensive Portuguese Top-Speed Course:   This course comprises 4 one to one Portuguese language lessons of 50 minutes each per day (20 lessons per week).

 Prices include 20 Private Portuguese language lessons per week, placement test, teaching materials and certificate of completion. Accommodations are now priced separately, see below for prices!.

3. Intensive Portuguese Top-Speed PLUS Course:   This course comprises 6 one to one Portuguese language lessons of 50 minutes each per day (30 lessons per week).

 Prices include 20 Private Portuguese language lessons per week, placement test, teaching materials and certificate of completion. Accommodations are now priced separately, see below for prices!.

4.  Intensive Portuguese Top-Speed Business:   This course comprises 4 one to one Portuguese language lessons of 50 minutes each per day (20 lessons per week), concentrating on Business Portuguese.

 Prices include 20 Private Business Portuguese language lessons per week, placement test, teaching materials and certificate of completion. Accommodations are now priced separately, see below for prices!.

ADDITIONAL COURSES: (Must be booked in conjunction with a Portuguese Language Course):

Brazilian Cuisine Classes:  Learn Portuguese and experience the exotic Cuisine of Bahia!
In Bahia, cooking is always a formula for pleasure. Eating well in Bahia is a devotion. Wake up, and feast your eyes on a tropical breakfast of exotic fruits and regional specialties.  As a Diálogo student you will learn how to cook seafood with dendê, a red palm-oil of African origin. It is the essential ingredient in Bahia's most delectable dish: moqueca. Made of shrimp, fish, crab, oyster, octopus or just about anything else that swims with Iemanjá in the ocean.  We will teach you the secret ingredients and preparation of meat and vegetable stews, broth and sweets of Portuguese origin. And here's when the fun really starts - to choose your favorite drink that will do justice to the richness of the cuisine. The incredible variety of savory fruits yields to an infinitive number of tropical cocktail combinations, that you will prepare starting with lemon (the caipirinha), or perhaps passion fruit or any other tropical local fruits.  Students in this course receive 2 classes of 2 hours and 30 minutes each week, for at least 1 week and 12 at most, in the afternoon (15 to 17:30). Each class has 6 students.  Price 2010 and 2011:  USD 30 per week

Samba and Brazilian Dance Classes:  FREE - Dance classes are offered free of charge!

Surfing Class - 1 day (Saturday):          USD 100 (includes transport, equipment rental and food)

Surfing Class -  2 days (Weekend):      USD 190  (includes transport, equipment rental, lodging and food)                                       

Capoeira Classes:                                  FREE - Capoeira classes are offered free of charge!

Accommodations

Accommodations are available in four different categories:

1. Guesthouse (Pousada):

The guesthouse offers simple and cheap accommodation near the historic center. It is perfect for young people or backpackers who like to be close to the best nightlife in town. It takes the students 20 to 30 minutes by bus to get to the school or to the beach.  Each floor has its own shower and toilet and the rooms are very clean.  Prices 2012:  

     Single room: from USD 30 per day (depending on season);   Double room: from USD 25 per person/per day (depending on season).

3. Host Families:

The third option offers the student the possibility of directly sampling the Bahian way of life, through the day to day contact with Brazilians which living in private home provides. All the homes have been carefully selected and are located within easy reach of the school.  Prices 2012:  

     Single room with breakfast: USD 27 per day. 

     Single room with breakfast and dinner: USD 34 per day. 
 

4. Three-Star Tourist Class Hotel:

If you prefer a little more comfort, the school also offers an upgrade to a 3-star tourist class hotel (MarAzul). The hotel is located at Barra beach and is within 5 minutes walking distance of Diálogo. Please inquire about the extra charge, since prices vary according to season.  Prices 2012:

     Single room: from USD 146 per day (depending on season);   Double room: from USD 79 per person/per day (depending on season).  

Notes for all types of accommodation:

- Accommodation will include the first Sunday to the last Friday. Double rooms can only be booked by two people traveling together.

- During Carnaval ONLY host family accommodation is available at a special high season price:  USD 625 for the week, including single room and breakfast.  No classes are held during Carnaval, but students may remain at the host family during that week. 

General Information

IMPORTANT NOTE:   An entry visa for Brazil is REQUIRED for citizens of the USA.  If you are a US Citizen you must obtain a visa through the Brazilian Consulate having jurisdiction over your place of residence prior to departure.  You may have to appear in person in order to obtain the visa and in order to do so you may be required to make an appointment ahead of time.  Please contact the consulate well ahead of time as the process of obtaining a visa may take several days!! 

Money:

Dialogo recommends for safety reasons that students either carry 70% of their spending money in the form of Travelers Checks and only 30% in cash, or use an internationally accepted ATM card (such as Cirrus or Plus system cards). It is a good idea to carry some dollars with you in case of traveling to smaller towns where changing checks is often impossible.

Airport Transfers: 

Airport transfers are not included in the course price but are available upon request at an additional charge of USD 65 each way.  If you would like to book a transfer please let us know when you submit your application form.  Flight information must be received at least one week prior to arrival.

Activities

In Salvador you'll find it difficult not to become immersed in Bahian culture, especially when you're studying at Diálogo. Every 14 days the school holds group socials at a nearby bar or restaurant, where you can meet and get to know local Bahians. Diálogo also arranges weekly excursions such as cycling at Pituaçú or hiking through the beautiful white sand dunes of Lagoa Abaeté. At the institute itself, they regularly offer documentary videos on Bahian culture and schedule visits to the theater, local folkloric events and acrobatic Capoeira dance performances as well as to Afro-Brazilian Candomblé religious ceremonies. Should you be interested, the school will also be glad to arrange for you to take classes in Brazilian music, percussion, Capoeira, or Afro-Brazilian dance offered at local institutes (see description and prices above).

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