A blog entitled 'Organizing an Event' recently published an article entitled "10 Events to Attend Before You Die," and sights within close proximity to AmeriSpan locations were high on the list! Carnivale was no exception, as it is a wild and ornate spectacle draws thousands from all over the globe each year – you've got to see it to believe it.

Carnivale is a four-day celebration and giant parade full of elaborate masks, costumes and floats. It is most famously held on the streets of Rio de Janiero, but is also celebrated in Salvador.

Learn more about AmeriSpan's Salvador Portuguese school

The school, just 5 minutes from the beach, is a relaxing, quiet getaway with plenty of room to unwind and study. There are so many great things about this location, you'll never want to leave!

Check out more about AmeriSpan's Salvador Portuguese school

 What is your background?
I am 33 years old. I am from Brazil and live in a beautiful city called Maceio. When I was 18 I started attending Law School and spent 5 years there until I graduated, but Law was never my "thing", so as I was crazy about languages I became an English teacher. After some years teaching English, I started teaching Portuguese to foreigners. Love at first sight!

Do you travel abroad often?
I've never been abroad, but would love to someday.

Have you studied abroad?
No, I haven't.

Which languages do you speak or have studied?
My mother language is Portuguese, but I also speak Spanish and English.  

How and why did you get into the Study Abroad market?
As I mentioned, I was teaching English and then started with Portuguese classes, basically because I have a friend who used to work for the school and he asked me if I would like to teach Portuguese classes.

When did you start/join your organization?
I started in 2004 as a teacher and Coordinator of our Volunteer work program.

What is your job or function at the organization?
I am the Coordinator of the school in Maceio, and I also teach when it is necessary.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?
I enjoy knowing different people from all over the world and also the fact that we don't have a routine as we have new students every week.

Was there a person, group of people or organization that were instrumental in your success?
People, my family to be more precise.

Can you tell us about your schools philosophy, specialty and/or why you think it is special?
The most special thing about our school is that we try to make students feel comfortable while learning the language. The atmosphere at school is relaxing and very friendly. We think that as the student feels at ease his/her capability to learn increases considerably.

Anything else?
Yes, I would like to say something to the ones who are coming to know Brazil and its language. I would say come with your hearts opened, many people listen to very crazy and terrible stories about my country and I have known many people to whom these stories have been told and realized the things were totally different when they arrived here. We know Brazil has its problems, but it also has a lot to show and to be discovered. Come visit us!

Learn more about AmeriSpan's Portuguese school in Maceio

What is your name?
Marilia Cannavale

What is your background?
I am 48 years old, college educated, and live in São Paulo, Brazil. I am divorced.

Do you travel abroad often?
Unfortunately not.

Have you studied abroad?
No, I haven’t.

Which languages do you speak or have studied?
I speak Portuguese, French and a little bit of English.

How and why did you get into the Study Abroad market?  
Because I wanted to study abroad.

When did you start/join your organization?
I started in 2002.

What is your job or function at the organization?
I am a Head Teacher.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?
I like to teach people from different cultures. I think it is a wonderful experience. 

Was a person, group of people or organization instrumental in your success?
It is always a big challenge. I am always looking for new communication techniques and teaching strategies.

Tell us one of your biggest mistakes in your job, studying/teaching a language and/or traveling abroad?
Unfortunately I can’t speak English they way I would like to.

Can you tell us about your schools philosophy, specialty and/or why you think it is special?
The learning process in a general way, not only focused in the necessities of educational institutions.

Anything else?
We have to learn how to face people with their basic necessities and limitations, potentiate their aptitudes and respect these people as unique beings.

Discover AmeriSpan's Portguese School in Sao Paulo

What is your background?
Im a Lawyer, 33 years old, single, and living in Sao Paulo.

Do you travel abroad often?
Yes, at least twice a year.

Have you studied abroad?
Yes, in California.

Which languages do you speak or have studied?
Portuguese, English and Spanish

How and why did you get into the Study Abroad market?
I used to work in a big firm, but I realized that was what I would like to do in my life. As I had taken Portuguese classes at my university, I decided to teach Portuguese for foreigners.

When did you start/join your organization?
In 2001

What is your job or function at the organization?
General Director

What do you enjoy the most about your job?
We have no routine and we the people and cultures that we have contact everyday are amazing!

Was there a person, group of people or organization that were instrumental in your success?
Everybody is important, starting with my teachers, but one of the directors here helped me a lot.

Tell us one of your biggest challenges in starting your organization? 
The Portuguese language enjoys a lively and varied lexicon throughout the world today. But 20, or even, 10 years ago, the Portuguese, or Brazil, wasn’t a big market. So was hard to promote a new language and a big country.

Tell us one of your biggest mistakes in your job, studying/teaching a language and/or traveling abroad?
We are not equal. Doesn’t matter where you live.. we always bring with us our culture and personality.

Can you tell us about your schools philosophy, specialty and/or why you think it is special?
Since 1991, we've been devoted to providing high quality and personalized instruction in Portuguese for foreigners. All of our teachers are professional and experienced native instructors, university graduated and trained in our direct approach to language teaching. We are a not a simple language school, but rather we specialize in Portuguese for foreigners. Here, people learn in a comfortable and relaxed
atmosphere. The students will find our school environment warm and friendly. Here, he/she quickly feels at home and makes friends with staff and classmates. We have students from all over the world, thus creating a friendly and diverse learning environment.

Anything else? 
Work with your heart and everything will be easier!

Find out more about AmeriSpan's Portuguese school in Sao Paulo, Brazil

 
Salvador is the perfect backdrop for both of these activities.  The city is located on the coast of Brazil and has so much to explore: the colorful old town and all of its rich heritage, the world-famous annual carnaval, Bay of the Savior, the fun-loving and easygoing nature of the locals, a plethora of shops and restaurants, and so much more.  And the beach of Salavador da Bahia is gorgeous, not to mention quite warm during our North American winter!

In your "Portuguese and Bahian Cuisine" courses, you'll learn about Bahian/Brazilian cuisine's history and influence, and discover many ingredients and dishes that you've probably never heard of!  Each class, a professional local chef will lead students through one dish and one drink, and then the class will enjoy the meal together at the end.

This is without a doubt one of AmeriSpan's most unique opportunities to get hands-on experience while studying a language! 

For details, see: Portuguese and Bahian Cuisine

"Everything is fine in Maceio, the biggest problem is in country side, in cities located more than 2 hours away. In Maceio was raining a lot, but didn’t flood where the school and host families are located. Today we have a beautiful sunny day!"

For information about studying at this location, see Portuguese in Maceio