Learning Portuguese in Total Immersion
Students attending the Middlebury Language Schools are serious and committed to learning Portuguese. We find that immersion in language and culture on a 24/7 basis gives students an advantage to gaining competency and proficiency in just 7 weeks.
Students, faculty, and staff meet during meals which allows time to practice the language with each other outside the classroom and can be a form of support for those that may be feeling insecure about their abilities. Each day, a student is encouraged to volunteer to read the day’s activities and important information to the rest of the school. This gives students a chance to hear the language spoken at different levels of proficiency.
After the day’s classes, students return to the dorms assigned to the Portuguese School and spend time amongst each other, drinking Brazilian coffee, playing board games, or most likely, working on homework! Evenings and weekends are filled with events such as theatre, music, and dance, performances as well as lectures given by visiting professors and professionals. There are also clubs that students are encouraged to take part in providing another avenue to learn the language and culture, as well as offering support and inclusivity.
Learning Portuguese in our immersive environment gives students the best opportunity to really learn and understand the Portuguese language and culture by combining class time with co-curricular activities all while speaking the language with students, faculty, and staff.
