Língua Portuguesa in Rio: Intensive Portuguese Language Study

Língua Portuguesa in Rio is a unique one-week* intensive language and culture learning experience designed to complement the CLAS Língua Portuguesa Professional Development Program. These two programs are designed to support service professionals in fields such as education, medicine, hospitality, law, and counseling, with the dual goals of a) increasing the availability of Portuguese language courses in secondary schools and community colleges, and b) improving access to professional services for Portuguese-speaking communities.

This program follows a rigorous schedule to maximize participants’ language learning and cultural engagement, with morning language instruction and afternoon educational activities.

CLAS Associate Director Elizabeth Sáenz-Ackermann will accompany participants throughout the program.

Língua Portuguesa in Rio participants will attend the Caminhos Language Centre, which offers high-quality Portuguese courses taught by carefully selected university graduates and using the communicative approach – or ‘communicative language teaching’ (CLT).

Participants will be placed into classes according to their proficiency level, as determined by a pre-program online proficiency level test. CLAS will provide the proficiency level test to participants upon registration.

• Methodology & Levels
• Teachers & Staff

Founded in 2009, Caminhos is a three-pillar organization offering the following services: 1) education, 2) social work, and 3) environmental preservation and eco-tourism. Originally founded with the objective of supporting underprivileged children in Brazil, the Portuguese school has offered a wide range of support services and activities ever since. For six years the Casa do Caminho orphanage was financially supported by the school. Caminhos invested in cultural and vocational education for the children and teenagers. Since 2014, the language school has run its own social programme called ‘Mais Caminhos’. 

Upcoming Program Dates

This program was last offered in July of 2025. Please contact clasoutreach [at] stanford.edu (clasoutreach[at]stanford[dot]edu) to inquire about future program offerings.

Participants wishing to extend their language-learning experience are encouraged to enroll in language classes or volunteer work directly through Caminhos in the weeks immediately prior to or following the Stanford program.

Location

Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  map

Participant Eligibility

Applicants must be service professionals (e.g., education, medicine, hospitality, law, counseling) looking to expand Portuguese-language services within their communities. Applicants must have Spanish language proficiency at the intermediate level or higher.

Participant Engagement

Program participants will be expected to participate in all program activities, including the following:

• A pre-program orientation meeting in June (date TBD)
• The full program abroad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Language classes, lectures, and organized cultural experiences while in Brazil
• A follow-up meeting for participants to share and discuss their program experience (date TBD)
• A post-program survey to provide CLAS with feedback on the program

Continuing Education Units

Participants who successfully complete the Língua Portuguesa in Rio program are eligible to receive three (3)* continuing education quarter units (CEUs) through the Stanford Continuing Studies Program (30 hours of instruction). There is no additional cost to receive CEUs.

Participants who enroll in additional Caminhos classes in the weeks before or after this program will receive a transcript directly from Caminhos. Additional weeks of classes with Caminhos are not eligible for Stanford CEUs.

Registration fee: $600*

Registration includes

• Morning intensive language classes Monday to Friday
• Afternoon and weekend educational cultural activities
• Caminhos workbooks
• Caminhos certificate confirming participant's attained level
• Free WiFi, coffee, and filtered water while at the Caminhos Language Center
• 3* Continuing Education Units (CEU) through Stanford Continuing Studies, as applicable

Registration does not include the following items. These must be coordinated and paid by the participant.

• International travel to and from Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro
• Lodging (see below)
• Ground transportation to/from airports. Caminhos offers airport pick up/drop off for a fee. More details will be provided upon registration.
• Incidental costs such as passport and visa fees, travel medical insurance, immunizations, etc. Participants are responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate immunizations for the destination.

NOTE: According to Brazil's gov.br, the reinstatement of the Visitor Visa (Visto de Visita) requirements for tourists from the USA came into effect on April 10, 2025.

Lodging

Participants are responsible for coordinating and paying their own lodging, allowing participants to stay where they feel most comfortable.

Participants who are not receiving travel funding from their educational institution or employer may request a housing stipend from CLAS. Housing stipend requests should be indicated in the appropriate place on the online registration form.

Lodging options may include

• Homestay or Apartment share (coordinated through Caminhos, sign-up details will be provided upon registration)
• Hotel or hostel
• Homeshare (e.g. AirBnB, VRBO)

Itinerary

See a sample itinerary here. This program follows a rigorous itinerary to maximize participants’ language learning and cultural engagement.

Please note that in July, the sun sets around 5:30 p.m., limiting evening activities. Participants interested in exploring Rio’s famous sights should arrange to arrive in Rio a few days early or extend their stay after the program concludes. This adjustment provides ample opportunity to enjoy tourist activities, which will not be feasible during the intensive program days.

*Published numbers reflect the 2024-25 program and are subject to change for future offerings of the program.

Deadline to submit Application, Letter of Reference, and Financial Aid Application

CLAS is reviewing applications on a rolling basis until June 10. Apply today!

Online application

• Applicant profile information
• Resume (upload)

• A 300-500 word statement of interest (upload or type directly into application form)
  Note to applicant: The statement of interest should address why you are interested in this program, what makes you a good candidate, and how you plan to synthesize the knowledge and experience gained from this professional development to maximize the benefits to your classroom/school/district or clients/patients/professional community.

  Apply Here​

Letter of reference

• Letter of reference should be written by a person in the position to evaluate the applicant, such as a principal, chair, advisor, or supervisor.
• Letters should address the applicant’s ability to apply knowledge and experience gained from this institute to benefit their community, as well as their capacity to contribute to the group dynamic through interpersonal and group-travel skills.

• Letters must include letterhead and a signature and be uploaded at the link provided.

  Upload letter of reference here

Financial Aid Application (optional)

Applicants with financial need may apply for a stipend of up to $300 to offset the cost of lodging during the program. The online financial aid application form requires the following information:

• Statement of Financial Need (type or paste into form): Explain why you are requesting financial assistance. Include information such as the professional development funding available through your school or district, what portion of the institute you are paying out of pocket, additional funding sources you have pursued (e.g. school or district funding, grant funding, local organizations), and any special circumstances or additional information pertinent to why you are applying for financial assistance. (Maximum 1500 characters)

• Budget (upload): Estimated total expenses and proposed costs to be covered by this award. Must indicate the amount of financial assistance being provided by the applicant's school/district/institution or other source, even if the amount is $0.

  Apply for financial assistance here

Applications will be reviewed by a review committee appointed by the Center for Latin American Studies at Stanford University. Applicants will be contacted in late April with a decision.

All qualified applicants will be considered in accordance with Stanford University's Nondiscrimination Policy.  

Upon acceptance to the program, participants will be required to provide the following through an online form:

• Copy of valid passport (with expiration date more than 6 months after the institute dates) or confirmation that passport application has been submitted with sufficient time to arrive before the program
• Confirmation that a Brazil visitor visa application has been submitted or a copy of valid visa if already obtained
• Signed Stanford Materials Release Form
• Signed Assumption of Risk, Release of Claims and Hold Harmless Agreement 
• Proof of international travel and medical insurance (more details on this requirement will be provided upon acceptance to the program)
• Emergency contact information
• A photo of you (optional) and a short bio that we can share with fellow participants and program leads in advance of the program
• Personal profile information
• Housing preference (i.e. if you would like to do a homestay or apartment share through Caminhos)
• Dietary, accessibility, and accommodation needs

CLAS will provide accepted participants with the following:

• Online proficiency level test
• Travel preparation and packing checklist
• Caminhos homestay and apartment share sign-up instructions, if applicable
• Caminhos airport shuttle sign-up instructions
• Housing stipend processing form, if applicable

A non-refundable deposit of $200 (paid by credit card or check) is due May 30, 2025.

The registration fee balance of $400 (paid by credit card or check) is due June 10, 2025.

Deposit and/or balance payments being made by check should be made out to Stanford University and mailed to

Center for Latin American Studies
c/o Molly Aufdermauer, Public Engagement Coordinator
582 Alvarado Row
Stanford, CA 94305-8545

Applicant is responsible for confirming receipt of all application materials.

Participant Withdrawal Policy

If, for any reason, a registered participant needs to withdraw from the institute, the participant must notify the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) by email to clasoutreach [at] stanford.edu (clasoutreach[at]stanford[dot]edu). The program deposit is non-refundable. However, the participant may elect to use the cost of the deposit toward the fees of another CLAS teacher institute or workshop within a year. Program fees, exclusive of deposit, are refundable if CLAS receives the participant's written notification by the withdrawal deadline of June 15, 2025. If the participant withdraws from the institute after the withdrawal deadline, there are no refunds.

Institute Cancellation Policy

If the institute is canceled by CLAS for any reason, CLAS will be in touch with the participants directly regarding full refunds.

Molly Aufdermauer
Public Engagement Coordinator
Center for Latin American Studies
email: clasoutreach [at] stanford.edu
tel: 650-721-5530