Quick Summary: The Portuguese Language Course (PLA A1+A2) at Escola Nova De Língua is an officially structured 150-hour certified language program aligned with CEFR standards and the National Qualifications Catalogue (CNQ). It fulfills the official language requirement for Portuguese Nationality (Citizenship) through the IRN and Permanent Residence through AIMA under Portaria n.º 183/2020 and Portaria n.º 246/2022.
1. Course Overview & Official PLA Certification
The Portuguese Language Course PLA (Português Língua de Acolhimento) for A1 and A2 levels is specifically designed for international residents, expatriates, and foreign citizens seeking to establish practical fluency in Portuguese for daily life and fulfill the legal language criteria for Portuguese citizenship or residency.
Our program complies with the official guidelines of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the standards defined by the Portuguese Ministry of Education, IEFP, and ANQEP (National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education).
| Course Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Target Level | CEFR A1 (Breakthrough) & A2 (Waystage) |
| Total Certified Workload | 150 Hours (6 modular UFCD units of 25h each) |
| Official Legal Framework | Portaria n.º 183/2020 & Portaria n.º 246/2022 |
| Legal Validity | Accepted by IRN (Citizenship) & AIMA (Residency) |
| Study Modes | In-Person (Lisbon Academy) & Interactive Live Online |
| Class Cohort Size | Small interactive groups (maximum 10–12 students) |
| Academy Location | Rua Maria Andrade 38, 1170-216 Lisboa, Portugal |
2. Portuguese Citizenship (IRN) & Residency (AIMA) Legal Compliance
Under current Portuguese Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade) and Decree-Law n.º 237-A/2006, foreign citizens applying for Portuguese citizenship after legal residence must certify their proficiency in basic Portuguese at the A2 CEFR level. Completion of this official 150-hour PLA course directly issues the required qualification certificate, recognized by the IRN (Conservatória) and AIMA without needing to take the separate CAPLE/CIPLE examination.
3. Official 6 UFCD Curriculum Structure (150 Hours Total)
The course is aligned with the National Qualifications Catalogue (CNQ) and structured across 6 modular Short-Duration Training Units (UFCD) of 25 hours each:
- UFCD 6452: Eu e a Minha Família / Personal Identification & Family (25 Hours) – Personal introductions, family relationships, formal and informal greetings, daily interactions, basic social dialogue, and personal documents.
- UFCD 6453: O Meu Dia a Dia e Hábitos / Daily Routines & Habits (25 Hours) – Daily schedules, telling time, weekly habits, hobbies, public transport (Metro, Carris, CP), weather, and personal lifestyle.
- UFCD 6454: Alimentação e Compras / Food, Dining & Shopping (25 Hours) – Traditional markets, supermarkets, dining in Portuguese cafes and restaurants, prices, weights, payments, and commercial transactions.
- UFCD 6455: Saúde e Serviços Básicos / Health & Public Services (25 Hours) – Navigating health centers (Centro de Saúde / SNS), pharmacies, hospitals, post offices (CTT), municipal services, and emergency communication.
- UFCD 6456: Habitação e Bairro / Housing & Neighborhood (25 Hours) – Home vocabulary, rental inquiries, utility management (water, electricity, internet), neighborhood services, local directions, and community living.
- UFCD 6457: Trabalho e Vida Profissional / Work & Professional Life (25 Hours) – Workplace terminology, job searches, curriculum vitae basics, interviews, labor rights, and workplace etiquette in Portugal.
4. Schedules, Timetables & Flexible Formats
To support busy working professionals and international families, Escola Nova De Língua provides adaptable learning options:
- Morning Cohorts: Monday to Thursday (09:30 – 12:30)
- Evening Cohorts: Monday to Thursday (18:30 – 21:30)
- Weekend Intensive: Saturdays (09:00 – 14:00)
- Interactive Live Online: Real-time videoconference classroom with dedicated teacher feedback and digital resource access.
5. What You Will Achieve (Learning Outcomes)
- Official A2 Certificate recognized for Portuguese Citizenship and Permanent Residency.
- Confidence and clarity in everyday conversational situations and professional environments.
- Solid foundation in European Portuguese grammar, phonetics, idioms, and vocabulary.
- Dedicated pedagogical support from native, certified trainers holding official CCP credentials.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does this A1+A2 course qualify for Portuguese citizenship?
Yes. Completing the 150-hour PLA A1+A2 program at Escola Nova De Língua grants you an official A2 language certificate accepted by the IRN (Conservatória) for Portuguese Nationality and AIMA for Permanent Residency without having to sit for the separate CIPLE exam.
How many hours is the Portuguese A1-A2 PLA course?
The course comprises 150 total certified training hours divided into 6 modular UFCD units of 25 hours each.
Can I attend classes online or in-person in Lisbon?
We offer both interactive live online classes via Zoom and in-person sessions at our Lisbon academy located at Rua Maria Andrade 38, 1170-216 Lisboa.
What is the minimum attendance required to receive the certificate?
In accordance with official vocational training regulations, students must complete at least 90% of scheduled class hours and continuous modular assessments to obtain the official qualification certificate.
Curriculum
- 6 Sections
- 30 Lessons
- 150 Hours
- UFCD 6452 - Eu e a Minha Rotina Diária (25 Horas)Unidade inicial de acolhimento: fonética do Português Europeu, identificação pessoal, família, habitação e rotina quotidiana.5
- 1.1Aula 1.1: Alfabeto, Fonética e Pronúncia do Português Europeu5 hours
- 1.2Aula 1.2: Saudações, Apresentações e Identificação Pessoal5 hours
- 1.3Aula 1.3: A Família, Relações Familiares e Descrição Física5 hours
- 1.4Aula 1.4: Habitação, Espaços Domésticos e Mobiliário5 hours
- 1.5Aula 1.5: Rotina Quotidiana, Horários e Dias da Semana5 hours
- UFCD 6453 - Hábitos Alimentares, Cultura e Lazer (25 Horas)Competências para compras, restauração, gastronomia tradicional e festividades populares em Portugal.5
- 2.1Aula 2.1: Compras, Mercearias e Mercados Tradicionais5 hours
- 2.2Aula 2.2: Alimentos, Refeições, Restaurantes e Cafetarias5 hours
- 2.3Aula 2.3: Tradições, Gastronomia Portuguesa e Festividades5 hours
- 2.4Aula 2.4: Atividades de Lazer, Desporto e Hobbies5 hours
- 2.5Aula 2.5: Expressões Idiomáticas no Comércio e Serviços5 hours
- UFCD 6454 - O Corpo Humano, Saúde e Serviços (25 Horas)Acesso ao Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), farmácias, descrição de sintomas e atuação em emergências.5
- 3.1Aula 3.1: Partes do Corpo Humano e Vocabulário de Saúde5 hours
- 3.2Aula 3.2: Descrição de Sintomas, Doenças Comuns e Farmácia5 hours
- 3.3Aula 3.3: Marcação de Consultas nos Centros de Saúde (SNS)5 hours
- 3.4Aula 3.4: Serviços de Emergência e Linhas de Apoio (SNS 24 e 112)5 hours
- 3.5Aula 3.5: Higiene, Prevenção e Cuidados de Bem-Estar5 hours
- UFCD 6455 - O Meu Passado e o Meu Futuro (25 Horas)Domínio dos tempos do passado e futuro para biografias, relatos históricos e planeamento de projetos.5
- 4.1Aula 4.1: Narração de Acontecimentos no Pretérito Perfeito Simples5 hours
- 4.2Aula 4.2: Hábitos e Memórias com o Pretérito Imperfeito5 hours
- 4.3Aula 4.3: Percurso Biográfico e Histórico Pessoal5 hours
- 4.4Aula 4.4: Planos para o Futuro e Projeções Pessoais5 hours
- 4.5Aula 4.5: Expressão de Desejos, Hipóteses e Aspirações5 hours
- UFCD 6456 - O Mundo do Trabalho e Profissões (25 Horas)Preparação profissional: elaboração de CV português, entrevistas de emprego e direitos laborais (ACT).5
- 5.1Aula 5.1: Profissões e Mercado de Trabalho em Portugal5 hours
- 5.2Aula 5.2: Elaboração de Curriculum Vitae (Modelo Europass)5 hours
- 5.3Aula 5.3: Procura de Emprego, Anúncios e Candidaturas5 hours
- 5.4Aula 5.4: Simulação de Entrevistas de Emprego5 hours
- 5.5Aula 5.5: Direitos Laborais, Contratos e Segurança no Trabalho (ACT)5 hours
- UFCD 6457 - Cidadania, Direitos e Deveres em Portugal (25 Horas)Módulo legal e cívico para a obtenção da Nacionalidade Portuguesa (IRN) e Residência Permanente (AIMA).5
- 6.1Aula 6.1: Instituições Públicas: AIMA, Finanças (NIF) e Segurança Social (NISS)5 hours
- 6.2Aula 6.2: Sistema de Saúde (SNS) e Sistema Educativo Português5 hours
- 6.3Aula 6.3: Princípios da Constituição da República Portuguesa5 hours
- 6.4Aula 6.4: Direitos e Deveres dos Cidadãos e Residentes5 hours
- 6.5Aula 6.5: Procedimentos para Aquisição da Nacionalidade Portuguesa (IRN)5 hours
Lessons:
