Portuguese

Portuguese
PORTO

Since 1991, Fast Forward Language Institute has been devoted to providing high quality and
personalized instruction in Portuguese for foreigners.
Located in one of the most important streets in the centre of the city, close to the main tourist
attractions, public transport and only 15 minutes' walk from the Douro river, the school
occupies the entire 2 nd floor of a commercial building featuring 5 large and comfortable
classrooms, all with ample natural light, reception area, lounge, internet room with free
internet wireless access.
Fast Forward Language Institute is more than just a language school; it is a cultural mosaic
made up of language, customs and traditions in a warm, friendly and open learning environment.
THE SCHOOL
THE SCHOOL

Fast Forward Language Institute offers both group and private
general language instruction, from absolute beginner to advanced
levels. Portuguese Language exam prep courses are also available.
Lessons focus on the active use of the language. Lessons aim at
developing all the skills, such as: reading, writing, listening and
speaking. Part of the lessons is also devoted to learning and
practicing grammar, as well as vocabulary extension. Nevertheless,
the importance of communication is stressed throughout the
course. An emphasis is placed on real-life situations through roleplays,
conversations, interviews and the like. The training is
complemented by discussions around culture, history and current
affairs, films, articles and music.
•Group Instruction
The maximum number of students per class is 6. Classes are held
from Monday to Friday, morning to afternoon. The school closes
on official holidays. In terms of intermediate students classes
can begin on any Monday. As for beginners, the starting dates
are every first Monday of the month.
Intensive: 4 hours of group instruction per day. Groups will have
a minimum of 2 and maximum of 6 students.
Super Intensive: 6 hours of group instruction per day. Classes are
held in the morning and afternoon.
•Combined Course Group + Individual
4 hours of group instruction in the morning combined with one,
two or three one-to-one classes in the afternoon.
• Individual Instruction
Classes are held Monday through Friday, and may be held in the
morning or afternoon. These courses are offered for both
beginner and advanced levels and as a refresher course. The
courses can all be adapted to the students’ or companies’ needs.
Intensive: 4 hours of private instruction per day. Ideal for students
who wish to learn at their own pace.
Super Intensive: This Course is ideal for professionals who don’t
have much time available and need to learn as much as possible
in one or two weeks. 10 hours of private instructions per day.
Classes are held in the morning and in the afternoon. They
include lunch Monday through Friday and visits to shopping
malls or other places the students might wish to visit with the
teacher.
Executive (Business): 6 hours of Portuguese language private
instruction combined with business terminology for working
professionals. Classes are held in the morning and the afternoon.
It includes lunch with the teacher.
PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE
PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE
PROGRAMS
PROGRAMS

VOLUNTEERING
VOLUNTEERING
Most often geared towards youth outreach, education,
and recreational activities, assisting human rights, social
work and health issues, with various local organization
and projects. We connect students with ideas serving
their interests, in addition to the language courses.
INTERNSHIP
INTERNSHIP
Depending on individual student's interest, we organize
internships with local doctors, government offices,
schools, lawyers, architectural firms, hotels, etc.
Students combine language learning with hands-on
experience, increasing their skills and absorbing a
broader professional view.

ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
A wide variety of accommodation options such as host family, apartment, student residence or hotel accommodations,
are available to ensure that different students' needs are met. All options are carefully selected and regularly
inspected by school’s accommodation staff.
• Homestay
Homestay is a popular form of accommodation as it provides an opportunity to practice newly acquired language
skills and allows for an insight into the Portuguese lifestyle. Portuguese people are known for their hospitality
and our host-families particularly enjoy meeting people from around the world and making students feel part
of the family. Families selected by the school are communicative and only Portuguese is spoken. A maximum
of two students with different home languages are accommodated per family in single rooms (double rooms
are available on request for two persons booking a course together).
• Bed & Breakfast
B & B combines the comfort of a hotel with low cost. They are ideal for students who prefer to be independent,
yet are looking for a more affordable option than a hotel. Bed & Breakfasts offer from single room to triple rooms
and are located within walking distance of the school.

At Fast Forward Language Institute, we also know that student’s experience abroad is about more than just class; it's also
about getting to know the local people and the culture. For that reason, we offer a rich program of activities, excursions,
and special courses that allow our students to make the most of their time in Porto.
We provide afternoon excursions to some of the most beautiful places in Porto. Excursions are offered as a courtesy (provided
a minimum number of students sign up), but students are expected to pay for their own transportation and entrance fees.
All excursions are led by a Portuguese instructor. Some of the excursions we offer are described below.
Solar do Vinho do Porto: The finest place in Porto to drink Port wine is the Solar do Vinho do Porto, a posh bar with a river
view terrace beside the Palácio de Cristal’s garden. Waiters will help you choose from hundreds of varieties.
Sé Catedral: This fortress of a Cathedral dominate central Porto from its highest hill. It was founded in the 12th century but
rebuild a century later and extensively altered in the 18th century. Only a Romanesque rose window and the 14th century
Gothic cloister remain from earlier encarnations. Much of the rest, inside and out, bears the baroque stamp of Nicolau Nasoni.
Best of all is the upper story of the cloister (rich via a Nasoni – designed stairway), decorated with 18th century azulejos
(hand painted tiles) and affording some fine views.
River Cruises: Several outfits offer cruises in barcos rabelos, the colourful boats once used to transport port wine from the
vineyards. Board at Porto´s Cais da Ribeira or Cais da Estiva, or Vila Nova de Gaia’s Cais de Gaia or Cais amarelo, cruises
last one hour or more should you wish to see Porto Bridges’ or go to Peso da Régua, in the North of Portugal.
Fado: There are many restaurants and houses where you can listen to Fado while having dinner or tasting some Port Wine.
One of the most interesting places where you can listen to Fado is Café Guarany, right at the centre of Porto. Founded in
1933 Guarany has always been known as the musicians' cafe.
Medieval Market: Santa Maria da Feira: The Medieval Journey in Santa Maria de Feira is a romantic journey back to the times
of knights and shows medieval society in village. In Santa Maria da Feira you have the chance to see one of the most beautiful
castles in Portugal surrounded by a medieval environment that lasts more or less for a week.
ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES

Porto is the city of contrast, combining the old with the new, the modern with the ancient, progress with tradition, the busy
centre with the calm coast near the river.
Mention the city of Porto and most people immediately think of world famous Port wine,
however, the city has much more to offer than that. There are many interesting sights to
be seen both inside, as well as, around the city and it is no coincidence that Porto was
chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2001.
The oldest part of the city was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and it includes
a vast collection of monuments, churches and public buildings surrounded by Medieval
houses. The Douro river also takes you through time with its bridges, some from the 19 th
century (one of which was designed by Gustave Eiffel) and some completed more recently.
The river is also the place to watch the port wine barges bringing the product from upriver
so that it can be aged in one of many port wine lodges. In the same lodges you can learn
about the wine, which has taken the name of the city to all the corners of the globe, as well
as, enjoy a free tour and tasting session. Continuing down the river to the sea, you will find
the impressive and the attractive Atlantic coastline with its long avenues and sandy beaches.
Porto is a cosmopolitan city full of entertainment, low living costs and a temperate climate.
It offers history, architecture, museums, theaters, movie theaters, shopping malls, entertainment
areas, vibrant markets and beautiful monuments.
PORTO
PORTO

www.fastforward.com.pt
Phone +351 222 082 066
info@fastforward.com.pt
03|2009