Portuguese Lessons in Austin

Did you know that there are more than 600,000 Portuguese speakers in the USA? This means that if you decide to learn this captivating language, you’ll be able to make wonderful new friends, and access all sorts of interesting opportunities all around the country that are exclusive to bilingual people. On top of that, if you start taking Portuguese classes in Austin this year, you’ll be able to get closer to the large local Hispanic community, meet some of the many Brazilian and Portuguese expats that live in the city and appreciate the various cultural events that are held in the city much more. What’s more, becoming a fluent Portuguese speaker can be a great way of taking your career to the next level, so if you’re interested in becoming more employable, or you want to experience what it’s like to work abroad, the smartest thing you can do is make the first step in your journey to fluency by signing up in one of our fun, flexible Portuguese courses.

Still not convinced? Then take a look at some of the most important reasons why you should become a proficient Portuguese speaker as soon as possible.

Learn Portuguese for Work and Travel

Speaking a second (or third!) language is one of the best things you can do if you want to access better job opportunities in Austin or abroad, so regardless of what your professional goals are, you should start learning Portuguese this year. Even if learning a foreign language sounds too intimidating for you right now, you’ll be glad to know that once you reach intermediate levels or above, you’ll be able to apply for many interesting jobs in the city, such as Senior Customer Success Account Manager for MongoDB, Services Engineer for Canonical or Annotation Analyst for Apple. Even if the positions you’re interested in don’t require you to be bilingual, you’ll find that having a foreign language on your CV will increase the chances of getting higher paying jobs, as most employers in the USA value applicants who have developed language and cross-cultural skills.

Alternatively, learning Portuguese can be a great way to increase your chances of working abroad, as once you can communicate confidently, you’ll be able to find amazing jobs in places like Rio de Janeiro, Lisbon, or even more exotic cities like Luanda in Angola or Dili in East Timor. Even if you’re not planning on working there, if you master this fascinating language you will be able to visit plenty of stunning destinations around the globe much more confidently, and immerse in Brazilian, Portuguese and many other cultures without the need of a translator. 

Learn Portuguese for Social

If you live in Austin, you probably noticed that there’s a large community of foreign-born residents that speak Portuguese, who come mostly from Brazil and Portugal. Because of this, there are many events held in the city that celebrate these and other lusophone cultures that you can attend to immerse in the language as much as possible, and learn about their interesting customs and traditions. One of the most important organizations you should know is Cultura Brasil Austin, which seeks to promote Brazilian culture in and around Austin by organizing all sorts of interesting cultural activities that are open to all. If you’re interested in Brazilian music, for example, you can’t miss their annual Brazil Fest, which takes place every April at Haute Spot, located at 1501 E New Hope. This fantastic festival will provide you with the perfect opportunity to listen to authentic Brazilian bands, and enjoy some of the best Bossa Nova, Forró and Samba beats. On top of that, there will be lots of cultural performances, which include traditional dances, Brazilian food stalls and captivating arts and crafts you can buy, and if that isn’t enough, you’ll get to meet lots of native speakers and practice the language!

Learn Portuguese for Culture

In addition to helping you expand your horizons and have a more successful career, learning a foreign language is one of the most effective ways of meeting new people. Even if you’re shy, once you know enough Portuguese to hold a simple conversation, you’ll be able to attend lots of fun events around Austin and meet other learners who share your passion for languages. One of the groups you should join is the Austin Language Learning Society, which meets online and at local coffee shops once a month to chat in lots of different languages, which of course include Portuguese. The great thing about these meetings is that they’re open to learners of all levels, so even if you still don’t have an extensive vocabulary yet, you’ll be able to attend and listen to more advanced learners or even native speakers having casual conversations, which will have a huge impact on your listening skills.

Another group you should check out is Social Lingo Austin, which is run by language enthusiasts who love organizing parties around the city where multilingual people can socialize and boost their language skills at the same time. They meet every month at Radio Coffee & Beer, which is located at 4204 Menchaca Road, so if your goal is to expand your social circle and make some Portuguese-speaking friends, don’t hesitate to attend! 

Where to learn Portuguese in and around Austin?

Are you searching for Portuguese classes near you? If so, you should contact us at Listen & Learn! We offer completely personalized lessons that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home or office in Austin any day of the week! Whether you want to study the language on your own, or enjoy group lessons with friends or coworkers, send us a quick inquiry today, and we’ll help you find a course that helps you achieve all of your goals in close to no time!