Does the Certificate in Portuguese Language teach European or Brazilian Portuguese?

Both, taught comparatively. You will be exposed to both major variants and can lean into one or the other through your written work and reading choices. Differences in pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar are made explicit.

Which exam can I take after the Certificate in Portuguese Language?

CAPLE for European Portuguese (administered by Instituto Camões) or Celpe-Bras for Brazilian Portuguese. Both are taken separately; the course provides preparation guidance for either route.

Can I take the Certificate in Portuguese Language fully online?

Yes. The online route runs live small-group classes, recorded review material and written feedback on your work.

How is the Certificate in Portuguese Language different from the Diploma in Portuguese Language?

The Certificate takes you to A2/B1 in 3–6 months. The Diploma takes you to working B1/B2 over 9–12 months with substantial reading, writing and cultural modules added.

Is Portuguese close enough to Spanish that I should just learn Spanish?

They're related but distinct — and a working Portuguese speaker can read Spanish better than the reverse. If your professional context is Brazil, Portugal or Lusophone Africa specifically, Portuguese is the right investment. If it's Spain or Latin America generally, Spanish is the larger language.

Certificate in Portuguese Language in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Certificate in Portuguese Language at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a short UK qualification taking learners from beginner to elementary intermediate Portuguese (CEFR A1 to A2/B1). The course covers both European Portuguese (Portugal) and Brazilian Portuguese, taught by qualified tutors and structured around the Common European Framework of Reference.

Portuguese is the official language of nine countries and one of the largest first languages in international business. This Certificate gives adults a real foundation — reading short texts, holding everyday conversation, writing short structured messages — in both major variants of the language.

Key Features

CEFR-aligned curriculum covering A1, A2 and the lower band of B1.
European and Brazilian variants taught comparatively.
Small live-class sizes on the on-campus route.
Cultural strand — short readings from Portuguese and Brazilian press, music, cinema.
Three study modes — on-campus, fully online, or distance learning.
Articulation into the Diploma in Portuguese Language at LSJHML.

What You Will Learn

The Certificate in Portuguese Language is built around what an A1 to A2/B1 learner needs to do — order, ask, describe, narrate, write a short structured message.

Greetings, introductions and everyday courtesy in Portuguese.
Present, preterite and imperfect tenses; introduction to the conditional.
Numbers, dates, time-telling, currency and transactions.
Describing people, places, daily routines and past experiences.
Reading short authentic Portuguese texts — menus, news headlines.
Listening to short news and conversation clips.
Writing short structured messages.
An introduction to Lusophone culture across Portugal, Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries.

Who This Course Is For

Adult beginners with no prior Portuguese.
Professionals working in or moving into Portuguese-speaking markets — particularly Brazil, Portugal and Lusophone Africa.
Heritage Portuguese speakers wanting a formal UK qualification.
Students preparing for time in Lusophone countries or postgraduate study there.

Career Pathways

The Certificate in Portuguese Language is a foundation credential. Typical applications include:

Bilingual Account Management (UK companies trading with Lusophone markets)
International Sales Coordinator (Brazil, Portugal territories)
Junior Communications roles (organisations operating in Lusophone Africa)
Cultural and Heritage Roles (Portuguese-language collections)
Continued Study (Diploma in Portuguese Language, BA Portuguese Language and Culture)
Preparation for CAPLE (European Portuguese) or Celpe-Bras (Brazilian) certificates

The Certificate articulates into the Diploma in Portuguese Language at LSJHML for students continuing.

Entry Requirements

Minimum age 16.
Secondary school qualification (GCSE/O-Level or international equivalent).
IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) for non-native English speakers.
No prior Portuguese required.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.