Start learning Portuguese online, with expert guidance and real results. 

Portuguese Level 1 Online is the first step of the A1 level and is designed for complete beginners. In live, interactive Zoom classes, you’ll start speaking Portuguese from your very first lesson, building practical communication skills in a friendly and supportive online classroom. 

Learning online doesn’t mean learning alone. Your teacher will guide you carefully through each lesson, encouraging active participation and real communication so you gain confidence quickly, wherever you are in the world. 

After completing Level 1, you can continue your learning with Level 2 and beyond. Progression is based on class participation and self-study. There are no formal tests. To help you choose the right level, you can consult our level chart. 

Why study Portuguese online with IH London? 

Portuguese is a global language spoken by over 260 million people worldwide, opening doors to travel, culture and international opportunities. Whether you want to explore Portugal or Brazil, connect with Portuguese-speaking communities, or boost your career prospects, Portuguese allows you to communicate with confidence from the start. 

International House London is one of the UK’s most established and respected language schools. Our online courses are taught by qualified and experienced teachers in different parts of the world. Lessons are live, interactive and taught primarily in Portuguese, creating an immersive online experience that helps you develop real communication skills quickly and naturally. 

With expert teachers, structured lessons and a strong sense of community, you’ll feel supported and motivated throughout your learning journey. 

What’s included in your course? 

• Live Zoom lessons with an experienced Portuguese teacher 

• Lesson summaries, notes and online learning resources 

• Additional self-study materials to support your progress 

• Ongoing academic support throughout the course 

• Access to exclusive IH London student workshops and events 

This course is ideal for: 

• Complete beginners with no previous knowledge of Portuguese 

• Learners who have never studied Portuguese formally 

• Students who prefer the flexibility of live online learning 

• Learners looking for a structured introduction to Portuguese 

• Anyone wanting to build a strong foundation before progressing to higher A1 levels 

No prior knowledge of Portuguese is required. 

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

Communicate with confidence in everyday situations 

You’ll start using Portuguese from day one, learning how to: 

• Greet people naturally and respond with confidence 

• Introduce yourself and say hello and goodbye in different situations 

• Talk about where you and others are from 

• Speak about nationalities and languages 

• Ask simple questions and interact with your teacher in class 

• Understand and follow classroom instructions in Portuguese 

• Order drinks and accept or decline offers in cafés and social situations 

Build a strong foundation in Portuguese 

You’ll develop essential language skills, including: 

• Numbers from 0 to 1,000 and days of the week 

• Vocabulary for countries, cities, nationalities, languages and classroom objects 

• Personal pronouns and definite articles (o, a) 

• Key verbs such as ser, estar, ficar and chamar-se (singular and plural) 

• Understanding the difference between ser and estar 

• Regular -ar verbs in the present tense 

• Prepositions de and em, including contractions (no, na) 

• Asking questions using como, quem and onde 

• Forming negative sentences and using colours and everyday vocabulary 

Explore Portuguese-speaking cultures 

Alongside the language, you’ll gain cultural insight through: 

• An introduction to coffee culture in Portugal and Brazil 

• Popular snacks and everyday café traditions in Portuguese-speaking countries 

Coursebook 

Passaporte para Português 1 – Livro do Aluno (A1/A2) + Audio Download 

Robert Kuzka & José Pascoal 

Publisher: Lidel 

ISBN: 9789897528927 

Please note that we may not cover all activities in the coursebook during the course. We recommend buying the coursebook after your first lesson. 

Do I need any previous knowledge of Portuguese? 

No. This course is designed specifically for complete beginners. If you have studied Portuguese before, please explore our other courses or contact our academic team at languages@ihlondon.com or call +44 (0)20 7611 2426 for advice. 

Which variety of Portuguese will I learn? 

You will be introduced to both European and Brazilian Portuguese, with a focus on clear communication and awareness of key differences. 

How will the course be delivered? 

This is a live online course taught via Zoom, with interactive activities, breakout rooms, role-plays and lots of speaking practice — just like being in an IH London classroom, but from home. 

What technology do I need? 

You will need Zoom version 5.17.5 or later to join the lessons. 
For the best experience, we recommend: 

• Joining from a laptop or personal computer 

• Using headphones or earphones to minimise background noise 

• Finding a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed 

• Keeping your camera turned on so you can fully participate 

These small steps ensure a smooth and engaging learning environment. 

How will I receive the course materials? 

All course materials are shared via SharePoint. You will receive the access link in your welcome email, which is sent 24 hours before the course starts. Please ensure you can access the materials before your first lesson. 

How big are the classes? 

Online classes have a maximum of 12 students, with an average class size of around 8 students. 

What can I do after completing Level 1? 

After this course, you will be ready to continue with our Elementary Portuguese Level 2 (A1) course and build on the foundations you have developed. 

For more information check our Terms and Conditions page https://www.ihlondon.com/terms-and-conditions 

Why not try out a sample beginners Portuguese lesson before signing up to a full course? These one-off sessions are aimed at students who have never studied the Portuguese language before.

Our Portuguese language classes take place via Zoom with a qualified, experienced teacher and fellow students. The interactive lessons emulate our face-to-face classes, and via teacher screen-sharing, students are able to experience a live classroom environment. From vocabulary activities and covering grammar points on the white board, to listening exercises, file sharing and ‘break-out rooms’ to practise speaking with classmates, students can learn without leaving the comfort of their homes. Take a look at an example of one of our online classes in this video.

Sample Lesson Plan

• Greeting people
• Introducing yourself and someone else
• Asking and giving personal details (name, nationalities, profession, age, phone number, date of birth)

What do you need for an online class?

To get the most from this course you will need:

• A reliable internet connection
• A desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone
• A web camera on or attached to the device you are using
• An integrated microphone in the device you are using or an attached headset
• The day before your course, you will be sent via email all the details you need to connect to the IH London Zoom classroom