Portuguese Lessons in Aberdeen

In Aberdeen, the third most populous city in Scotland, you can find speakers of many languages other than English. One of the most commonly used languages, according to the 2011 census, is Portuguese. Portuguese is a fascinating language with 260 million speakers worldwide, which makes it one of the best options when it comes to studying a second language.

Since this vibrant Romance language continues to spread throughout the world, it will not only get you closer to the local Portuguese community, but it will also open the doors to wonderful foreign countries like Brazil, Mozambique and Angola.

As a Portuguese learner, you’ll quickly find out that there are two main variants you can choose to learn: European and Brazilian. Differences are mainly found in the use of the second-person pronoun, as well as in the pronunciation of certain words, so beginners should stick to either European or Brazilian Portuguese until they learn how to differentiate the two. If you’re still undecided, don’t overthink it! Any of the Portuguese varieties will expand your horizons, as well as create unique opportunities in your professional life.

Learn Portuguese for Work and Travel

It is estimated that by 2050, Portuguese will have 335 million speakers, so imagine how great it would look on your future CV. In fact, companies like Google, Amazon, and Tesla are already looking for Portuguese speakers for positions such as data linguist, logistics analyst, and people analyst, so speaking the language is a huge advantage over other applicants who do not speak the language.

Additionally, learning Portuguese would bring excellent opportunities to those interested in exploring jobs in one of the many Portuguese-speaking countries, where English native speakers are highly sought after. So even if you are a free-spirited virtual nomad who just wants to travel the world, Portuguese might just be what you need!

In short, whether you are interested in working near home or thousands of miles away from where you were born, learning Portuguese will expand your chances of getting your dream job.

Learn Portuguese for Social

The famous piri-piri sauce, which you can try in Aberdeen in Pepe’s Piri Piri at 194 King Street, was invented in Portugal, but its main ingredient, chili, hails from South America. This is a clear example of how Portuguese culture is highly influenced by many other cultures, so one could say that visiting Portugal is also getting a small taste of places as distant as Africa and South America.

Learning Portuguese will also connect you with other cultures through the usage of everyday words. Although Portuguese is a Romanic language, did you know that it was also heavily influenced by Arabic? Because Portugal was conquered from the 8th century until the 13th century by the Islamic Moors, the Portuguese language has many words that come from Arabic that people use every day, like açúcar (sugar), azeitona (olive), and garrafa (bottle).

If you are looking to go beyond words, why don’t you have a go at lambada? This type of  Latin dance, that became internationally popular in the 1980s, comes from Brazil and is very well known for its pronounced hip movements. In Aberdeen, you can explore this beautiful dance style with Brazilian Zouk. Located in the centre of the city, at 28 Schoolhill street, this group connects dancers throughout Scotland and hosts weekly classes and workshops where you can meet other dance enthusiasts as well as enjoy all sorts of Latin music.

Learn Portuguese for Culture

Speaking Portuguese will not only expand your horizons, but it might also expand your social circle. According to the Office for National Statistics, 165,000 Portuguese-born residents live in the UK, so learning Portuguese will increase your chances of making friends in the Portuguese community near you.

If you’re looking for other people interested in the language, you might want to get in contact with the Portuguese Society, run by students of the University of Glasgow. These young language enthusiasts hold cultural events where people of all ages can enjoy samba music in Portuguese or Brazilian bars near the University, as well as practise the language. Although the Portuguese Society does not hold events in Aberdeen at the moment, you could get inspired by it and start your own Portuguese Society in the city!

Where to learn Portuguese in and around Aberdeen?

The University of Aberdeen has a Language Centre where you can learn Portuguese and many other languages. Being an official institution, it has a long history of providing language training and support for both students and the wider community, and it offers courses for beginners, intermediate students, and advanced speakers.

However, if you want to improve your fluency fast and get expert feedback on your speaking skills, there is an even better option. Taking Portuguese lessons with Listen & Learn is the fastest, most convenient method for anyone who wants to study the language with a personalized, communication-based lesson plan!

Meet a native, qualified tutor in Aberdeen and receive a tailor-made course package to finally achieve your language goals! Start by taking this free online language test to assert your level and then contact us to receive more information about the course. You won’t regret it!