Study Portuguese in Porto - Portugal

  Portugal

Porto

Dates: inquire for dates

Description: CIAL was founded over 25 years ago, and during this time has taught thousands of individuals how to speak Portuguese. Today CIAL has become one of the premiere Portuguese language schools in Portugal and is recognized by numerous national and international organizations. CIAL's method places specific emphasis on language for communication. The method can be described as structural/functional, the grammar and structures being taught and learned naturally, through practical usage. Students are encouraged to use CIAL's audio, video and library facilities in order to practice their language skills. Students at CIAL have the choice of taking small group or private instruction. Private instruction can be tailored to accommodate the needs of businesspeople, medical personnel, etc.

Quick School Facts

- The facilities are ideal for small group and/or private instruction.
- CIAL uses a very comprehensive series of books and materials.
- CIAL incorporates the use of audio-visual teaching aids.
- Students have access to telephone and fax services at the school (not free).
- Students have as a standard accommodation package, the choice of staying with local host families.
- The school can help to place students in a hotel if they do not want to stay with a host family.

Highlights: Ever since the Romans built a fort here, where their trading route crossed the Douro, Porto has prospered from commerce. Quick to expel the Moors in the 11th century and to profit from provisioning crusaders in route to the Holy Land, resourceful Porto took advantage of the wealth generated by Portugal's maritime discoveries in the 15th and 16th centuries. Later wine trade with Britain compensated for the loss of the lucrative spice trade. Still a thriving industrial center and the country's second largest city, Porto successfully blends commercial activity with unpretentious charm. Throughout Porto there is evidence of the wealth that flowed into the city from the 15th century onward. Trade in the commodities from Portugal's newly claimed lands brought Brazilian gold and exotic woods to embellish Porto's many churches and palaces. Prosperous merchants spent lavishly on paintings and the ever famous azulejos.

The true fascination with Porto lies very much in the day-to-day life of the place, with its prosperous business core surrounded by well to do suburbs as well as depressed housing estates, tempered by a heart of cramped streets and ancient alleys wholly untouched by the planners.
- Offers a very different feel from Lisbon.
- Close by the city, one has the chance to visit numerous traditional towns and villages.
- To the north and to the south of Porto stretch some beautiful beach areas.
- Due to the small size of Portugal, most sites of interest within the country are within just a few hours from Porto.
- This region is world renowned for the production of Port Wine.
- Outside of Porto one has the chance to explore some excellent port producing wineries.
-Though smaller than Lisbon, Porto has enough bars, nightclubs, and theaters to keep anyone busy.
- Porto is an excellent city to spend time walking around and exploring.
- Getting in and out of Porto by plane is very easy.
- Spain is very easy to get to.

Cost in US$: $1000 - $1500

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no