AT LIGHTHOUSE, THE FOCUS IS ON FLUENCY
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry. At Lighthouse, we follow the internationally recognised CEFR levels (A1–B2), which describe what you can actually do in Portuguese, from ordering a coffee to debating complex ideas. Discover what that means for you.
LIGHTHOUSE LEVELS
| Level | Start here if... | What you’ll achieve |
|---|---|---|
| A1 — The Essentials | You’ve never studied Portuguese or only know a few words and phrases. | Feel confident handling basic interactions like ordering food, greeting people, and asking for directions. |
| A2 — Everyday Life | You can understand and use simple sentences but want to speak more naturally day to day. | Talk about work, hobbies, and travel; understand locals in familiar situations; connect more in daily life. |
| B1 — Real Conversations | You can hold short conversations but struggle with speed, grammar, or more detailed topics. | Join longer discussions with confidence, express your opinions, and navigate Portuguese in real-life contexts. |
| B2 — Confident Communication | You can communicate well but want to refine fluency, accuracy, and nuance in complex situations. | Speak and understand with ease in professional or social settings, using natural phrasing and tone. |
Whether you’re a complete beginner or already speaking a little Portuguese, this guide will help you find the right level. Each stage builds your confidence step by step so you can make progress that feels natural and achievable.
A1 = THE ESSENTIALS
You’ll learn the basics you need to get by: order food, introduce yourself, ask for directions, and start feeling comfortable in daily life.
A1.1 - Master the Basics of Portuguese
-
You’ve never studied Portuguese before, or only know a few words and phrases.
You want to build a solid foundation and start using the language in everyday situations. -
Core pronunciation and the Portuguese alphabet
Essential grammar and sentence structure
Practical vocabulary for daily life (shops, cafés, travel, directions)
Listening skills through real-life examples and conversation practice
-
You’ll be able to introduce yourself, order food, ask for help, and understand simple responses.
You’ll feel comfortable engaging in short exchanges and recognising key words and phrases around Lisbon (and beyond).
A1.2 - Expand your Skills and Vocabulary
-
You already know the basics, simple phrases, greetings, and common expressions, but want to move beyond memorised sentences and start communicating more naturally.
-
Everyday vocabulary for time, travel, shopping, and social plans
Stronger grammar foundations for smoother, more accurate speaking
Listening and speaking exercises that build rhythm and flow
Practice forming longer sentences and joining simple conversations
-
You’ll be able to handle short conversations about familiar topics, understand simple directions, and express your thoughts with growing confidence.
You’ll feel ready to use Portuguese in daily life, like at cafés, on public transport, or when meeting new people.
A2 = EVERYDAY CONVERSATIONS
Move beyond the basics and start talking about your life, making plans, and having simple conversations with locals.
A2.1 - Speak Confidently About Your Life
-
You can already manage simple exchanges and want to move beyond introductions and short phrases.
You’re ready to start expressing your opinions and experiences in real conversations. -
Vocabulary to talk about your background, interests, goals, and daily life
How to use the past tense to share experiences and stories
Listening and speaking practice for longer, more personal conversations
Confidence-building exercises with classmates and native speakers
-
You’ll be able to describe your life, interests, and plans with greater detail.
You’ll feel comfortable connecting with people, discussing your experiences, and engaging in simple back-and-forth conversations.
A2.2 - Expand Your Communication Skills
-
You’re comfortable with everyday Portuguese but want to communicate more naturally in longer conversations.
You’d like to expand your vocabulary for work, travel, and daily situations. -
Vocabulary and grammar for more complex, flowing communication
How to express opinions, preferences, and future plans
Listening practice focused on different accents and real-life situations
Tools to navigate conversations about work, travel, and leisure
-
You’ll be able to take part in longer conversations, express your views clearly, and handle practical situations such as travel, booking, or making plans.
You’ll sound more fluent and confident in everyday life across Portugal.
B= CONVERSATIONS THAT FLOW
Speak clearly and confidently in most situations, whether that’s social, professional, or academic. You’ll sound natural, persuasive, and at home in Portuguese.
B1 - Speak Confidently About Your Life
-
You’re comfortable in daily conversations but want to go deeper.
You’re ready to express opinions, discuss ideas, and understand more complex situations in Portuguese. -
How to take part in longer, spontaneous conversations
Tools to express opinions, agree and disagree, and summarise ideas
Listening and reading practice with authentic materials like news, stories, and podcasts
Group discussions and exercises to develop confidence using Portuguese in real contexts
-
You’ll be able to communicate clearly in most everyday and social situations.
You’ll feel confident sharing opinions, asking follow-up questions, and engaging in real conversations with Portuguese speakers.
B2 - Expand Your Communication Skills
-
You already speak Portuguese with confidence and want to sound more natural and precise.
You’re looking to refine your communication for work, study, or social settings where accuracy and fluency matter. -
Strategies to speak persuasively and clearly in both formal and informal situations
Advanced comprehension through complex readings and discussions
How to express nuanced opinions and handle abstract or unfamiliar topics
Practice writing and speaking for clarity, structure, and flow
-
You’ll be able to communicate with fluency and accuracy, expressing ideas naturally and adapting your language to different contexts.
You’ll have the confidence to navigate professional discussions, cultural topics, and deeper conversations in Portuguese.
C = MASTERY & PRECISION
For learners who already communicate fluently and want to refine their accuracy and expression. You’ll learn to handle complex discussions, understand nuance and humor, and write with structure and clarity.
-
You already communicate comfortably and fluently in Portuguese but want to refine your accuracy, nuance, and cultural understanding.
You might live and work in Portugal, study at a university, or engage in professional or academic discussions in Portuguese. -
Strategies to interpret humor, irony, and cultural references with confidence
Advanced grammar and vocabulary for precise, elegant expression
Techniques for presenting ideas clearly in professional or academic settings
Listening practice using real Portuguese media, debates, and interviews
Writing exercises for structured reports, essays, and formal correspondence
-
You’ll communicate with near-native fluency, adapting tone and style to suit different situations and audiences.
You’ll have the skills to express complex ideas clearly, understand subtle meaning and tone, and engage fully in fast-paced discussions in any environment.