Portuguese

Portuguese at UVU

About 230 million people are native speakers and 260 million total speak Portuguese. Among the languages that use our alphabet, it’s the third most spoken in the world and on the internet. Utah has many connections with Brazil, as well as California, Florida, Massachusetts, and New York. UVU has the second biggest Portuguese program in the state, and the 14th biggest in the USA.

Portuguese is a great language for business and leisure: it can take you to Latin America, Europe, Africa, and even Asia. When it’s time for hire and fire, speaking Portuguese may secure your job, given Brazil's role in the global economy.

Resource Links

Minor in Portuguese

Undergraduate Certificate

Celpe Bras Exam

 

I'm a Beginner

Not confident to carry a conversation

To get you in the best class for you, UVU offers three classes for this level. First of all, we need to understand the language background you bring.

  • If English is the only language you speak, you're a true beginner, congratulations, you're very welcome to join our PORT1010 class.
  • It goes without saying that your next class is PORT1020 - other students may be a good6 fit for this class, if they have a placement interview with the Portuguese Program Coordinator.
  • If you're a fluent Spanish speaker, that's fantastic, you already share about 80% of the vocabulary. PORT2010 starts with the alphabet and numbers, but on an accelerated rhythm, taking advantage of our shared culture and language, and concentrating more on speaking skills, as a bridge between the languages.
  • There are also two conversational classes, 1 credit each: PORT1150R, and PORT2150R - just practice speaking the language!

I'm fluent already

I can converse, but want to improve my skills

For you, Portuguese is already an open window to the world. You probably already experienced living in a Portuguese speaking country, learning the culture and the most common interactions. In order to facilitate access to all upper division classes, PORT now allows you to begin at any 3000+ level class, whichever best fits your schedule! Let's understand the difference between them (you can also ask for a placement interview if in doubt):

  • PORT2020, besides being the continuation to PORT2010, is the one designated for those who lived in countries where a. Portuguese was the second or third language or b. lived in Brazil or Portugal for 12 months or less
  • There are several upper division PORT courses - no prerequisite needed, and may be used as elective in many minors, including Languages and Latin American Studies.
    • The triad PORT3610-3620-3630, required for the Minor, and an option for your Certificate, are offered sequentially, but you can begin at whichever is being offered that semester. Respectively, they show you the relevant moments in Brazil 1500-1900, 1900-1960, 1960-today.
    • We often teach PORT3200, Business Portuguese, in the Fall, and PORT3520G Brazilian Culture, in the Spring.
    • PORT3050 is a review of Portuguese grammar for those who lived 18 months or more in Portugal or Brazil. Because you were exposed to colloquial Portuguese, we'll review structures common in better educated environments, strengthening your linguistic abilities to better perform at work as needed. This one is offered every semester - used to be a prerequisite, but not anymore.