UK adults are taking the plunge and deciding to learn Portuguese in their droves – and it’s not just for the caipirinhas.
Portuguese might not be top of your list right now in terms of second language goals. But things are changing fast.
The University of Birmingham’s Why learn Portuguese? article explains why:
“As the European language with the third highest number of native speakers, Portuguese is the fourth most spoken language in the world and can potentially connect you with over 260 million people worldwide, opening up exciting opportunities for tourism, business and for the engagement with critical questions for the future such as climate change and the role of fossil fuel in it.”
French and Spanish still reign supreme in UK language schools. Yet Portuguese is quietly making its way up the to-do list. So, why not learn Portuguese with other savvy adults who want something a bit different, a bit global, and a lot useful?
Why Portuguese is Gaining Traction with Adult Learners
There are many and varied reasons adult learners are choosing to learn Portuguese in the 2020s:
- Global heavy hitter – Portuguese is the official language in nine countries across four continents. That’s serious passport power!
- Career smart choice – It’s particularly pertinent for international trade, travel, science, and sustainability.
- Brazil means business – Portuguese of the official language of Brazil. Handy, seeing as Brazil is one of the world’s largest economies.
- Culture with a capital C – Learning the language opens up rich, vibrant cultures, from Portuguese pastel de nata to Brazilian samba.
- Romance language bonus – Already dabbled in Spanish, French or Italian? Portuguese won’t feel like starting from scratch.
A Few Things to Know When You Learn Portuguese
All the same, Portuguese is still a bit niche. You might not find it in every school or local adult class alongside French or Spanish. But perceptions are shifting.
And when you find a course you like the look of? It’s a good idea to chat to your teacher about your motivation for learning Portuguese. This is because there are two main flavours – European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese. They’re like cousins who grew up in very different households.
Make Your Portuguese Language Goals a Reality
At la Academia, you can learn Portuguese to boost your CV, soak up new cultures, or prep for a trip to Lisbon or Rio.
So, why wait a second longer to speak Portuguese with confidence and clarity? The good news is you don’t have to when you sign up to our next complete beginners course:
Where? la Academia, Cheadle
Teacher? Eulalia
When? Thursday 25th September 2025
Time? 10.00am – 12.00pm
Cost? £130.00 for six consecutive weeks
Get in touch to reserve your seat. Or complete and return the application form by email.