Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t speak any Portuguese yet?
Most of our staff members speak various languages such as English, French and Spanish. Their job is to make your stay as comfortable as possible. |
How can I register?
You can register online through our website by clicking here or in person at the school. |
Does BrazilLink charge a registration fee?
No, BrazilLink does not charge a registration fee. |
How and when do I pay for my course and accommodation?
You can pay by cash (in reais), bank transfer, check from a Brazilian bank or credit card (Visa, MasterCard and American Express).
If paying by international bank transfer, students must pay any additional fee charged by the bank.
NOTE: All payments must be made no later than the first day of class. |
Does BrazilLink charge any other fee apart from tuition, accommodation and transfer fee?
Yes, the books you will use during the course (one book for each of the three levels).
Excursions and leisure activities involve an extra fee. These activities are paid on the spot in cash. |
Does BrazilLink offer airport transfer?
Yes. Please let us know on our enrollment form if you want us to arrange this service for you.
If you have requested this service, someone from the school will meet you upon arrival, holding a sign with the school’s and your name on it. |
Does BrazilLink charge any fee for finding an accommodation?
No, BrazilLink does not charge any fee for this service. |
Do I have to pay a deposit if I am staying in an apartment arranged by BrazilLink?
Yes, the owner of the apartment will ask you to pay at least half a month’s rent in advance via bank transfer (depending on the length of your stay).
A damage deposit of R$300 (BRL) is paid to BrazilLink on arrival and is refunded at the end of your stay if there has been no damage. |
When does my accommodation start and end?
If you are staying in one of our home stays, you can arrive five days before your course starts and leave up to five days after your course ends.
When staying at inns, hotels or apartment, you can arrive and leave whenever you wish. |
When do I have to show up at the school?
Your homestay family will help you come to the school on your first day.
You should arrive at BrazilLink around 8:15 am, if you are enrolled in a group course.
If you are enrolled in private classes, you can come any time of the day to schedule your course directly with the school’s staff. |
What about my class schedule?
Group classes run from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, in four sessions of 50 minutes each per day; there is a 10-minute break from 10:40 am to 10:50 am.
Our intensive group course includes 2 additional sessions in the afternoons from 1:30 pm to 3:10 pm.
Private classes are normally held in the afternoons from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm, but can also be held in the morning if teachers are available. |
How qualified are the teachers at BrazilLink?
All teachers at BrazilLink are native speakers.
They offer a great deal of solid teaching experience and an understanding of various teaching methods, which they can tailor to each student’s needs. They all are qualified to teach Portuguese as a foreign language and are regularly mentored and updated at our weekly teachers’ meetings. |
Where is BrazilLink located?
BrazilLink – Portuguese school is located in the heart of the city in the Barra neighborhood, with beaches overlooking the bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other side, near our school.
We are 15 minutes by bus from the historic centre (Pelourinho). The school is easily accessible from the airport. |
What is the shortest period I can study at BrazilLink?
One week in a group course, or as many days as you want in a private course. |
How many students are there in a class?
There are no more than eight students per class, but the average is five or six per class. |
How many levels do you have?
There are six levels at BrazilLink: beginners 1 and 2, intermediate 1 and 2, and advanced 1 and 2. |
Can I change my class if I find it too easy?
Yes, you can. Please talk to your teacher or one of our staff members who can help you with this issue, to make sure you are in the right level. |
Can I prepare for an official examination at BrazilLink?
BrazilLink offers a special preparation course for the CELPE-Bras Examination (Certificado de Proficiência em Língua Portuguesa para Estrangeiros), the only recognized Diploma of Brazilian Portuguese Language Studies for foreigners.
It was established by the Brazilian Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE). |
Do I need a student visa to study at BrazilLink?
Most nationalities are allowed to study in Brazil for up to three months with a tourist visa. Some nationalities are also allowed to extend their tourist visa for another 90 days.
If this applies to you, please let us know in advance so we can double check whether you can extend your tourist visa. |
I would like to register my child for a class. What do I need to do?
The minimum age to study at BrazilLink is 18. All courses are designed for adults, so there is no specific class for teens.
If you think your child can handle such situation, please fill out the enrolment form and sign it on his/her behalf. |
What about medical and travel insurance?
BrazilLink strongly recommends that all students obtain travel insurance for the duration of their stay in Brazil.
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Do I need any vaccines before travelling to Brazil?
The following vaccines are recommended before travelling to Brazil:
Hepatitis A: recommended for all travelers over one year old. It should be administered at least two weeks (preferably four weeks or more) before departure. A booster should be administered 6-12 months later to ensure long-term immunity.
Typhoid: recommended for all travelers, with the exception of short-term visitors who restrict their meals to major restaurants and hotels, such as business travelers and cruise ship passengers.
All travelers should be current on routine immunizations, including tetanus-diphtheria, measles and varicella (chickenpox). For more information about vaccines in Brazil, click here.
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