Best Language Schools in Rio de Janeiro

Learn Portuguese, Spanish & other languages in Brazil's Cultural Melting Pot

Are you a student who wants to learn Portuguese and travel the world? Or a business person who wants to learn a language to increase their opportunities on a global scale? Or maybe you are a Brazilian wanting to learn English for a trip abroad?

Attending a language school in Rio de Janeiro can be a transformational experience. Rio is a melting pot of culture from South America, Europe and beyond. It was founded in 1565 by Portuguese explorers and now it ’s home to close to 7 million inhabitants.

Rio de Janeiro is known for being home to the largest carnival in the world. Rio de Janeiro Carnival is held in the Sambadrome and attracts over 2 million participants each year. The carnival dates back to the 18th century and the city goes into overdrive each year with Samba music and dance, incredible costumes and amazing attractions of all kinds.

You may have seen pictures of the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking the city. Did you know it is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World? This statue stands on Corcovado Mountain, offering breath-taking views of the city.

Whatever your reasons are for coming to Rio de Janeiro to learn a language, you are sure to have an experience you’ll remember forever. But picking the right school can make or break your trip. We’ve researched some of the best language schools in Rio de Janeiro to help you make your choice.

Each of the following language schools is special in its own way so we’ll hope you’ll take the time to understand the differences and pick the right one for you.

And before you go, brush up on your language skills with Learn Portuguese + by Vidalingua. It’s one of the best apps to learn conversational Portuguese and it’s fun. Download it for free from the App Store 📲

Caminhos Language Centre

The Caminhos Language Centre is one of the largest schools for learning Portuguese in Rio de Janeiro. They consistently earn excellent ratings from students on Tripadvisor and other ranking sites. Caminhos offers 9 levels of group courses, as well as private classes in a relaxed and fun environment. In addition, they offer at least 2 free activities per day to give students an opportunity to test their language skills outside of the classroom.

"Since we started in 2009, Caminhos Language Centre has always been about more than just teaching Portuguese." Jascha Lewkowitz, Director of Caminhow Language Centre. "We want to give our students a full experience that includes culture and giving back through our Mais Caminhos social program. We mix fun lessons with exciting cultural activities. We're all about learning that steps outside the traditional classroom, helping students connect with Brazilian culture and help the community in meaningful ways. At Caminhos, we are not just teaching a language; we are opening doors to new worlds."

The Caminhos Language Centre is the largest and most innovative Portuguese language school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They offer high-quality Portuguese courses in a relaxed and fun environment. Their Brazilian teachers are carefully selected university graduates and they use a methodology based on the communicative approach and it includes course material.

Caminhos Language Centre offers intensive Portuguese group classes for students looking for a dynamic setting, where they will meet people from all across the globe and get involved in interactive sessions with other classmates, practicing reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in Portuguese. Caminhos also offers one-on-one private Portuguese lessons for those looking for a Portuguese course adjusted to their personal needs, availability, and topics of interest.

Caminhos also has special courses such as Celpe-Bras preparation, In-Company programs, and Portuguese and Surf lessons. But the school offers more than Portuguese lessons for foreigners. They offer the complete Rio de Janeiro experience with free and fun activities every weekday. Activities include beach volleyball, samba classes, football matches, hikes, and sightseeing tours. At Caminhos you can learn Portuguese in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, while having the time of your life! The school is also famous for supporting Brazilian children through their social program called Mais Caminhos.

Fala Brasil

Fala Brasil is committed to high-quality Portuguese language learning and introducing participants to local Carioca culture. Students learn Brazilian Portuguese in a rapid, natural way through practical and experiential classes. Offsite lessons allow students to put their skills into action. Fala Brasil is located in Vila do Largo, one of Rio’s most vibrant and convienent neighborhoods. They offer individual and group sessions covering topics from Street Smarts to Business Communication with online options. Fala Brasil’s network of immersion partners provides unique access to local life in friendly environment.

Idiomas Rio

Idiomas Rio is a language school located between Copacabana and Ipanema, two of the nicest neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro. For the Director, Elodie Pigeon, "Speaking many languages is about being a Chameleon."

More than teaching languages, Idiomas Rio’s goal is to immerse students in local culture, share experiences, and facilitate international connections through the communicative method. They employ native teachers from many backgrounds who are passionate helping students learn in a personalized manner.

Idiomas Rio offers semi-intensive group classes three times a week. Each class is three hours long. A more intensive track meets five times a week and includes customized classes. Idiomas Rio is well known for helping their students to get Visas to stay in Brazil and teaching students of all ages.

Português Carioca

The objective of Português Carioca is to have students speak Portuguese from day one. The school teaches students to be active by asking them questions in Portuguese to build their confidence.

Most of the students at Português Carioca are expats who study or work in Brazil. They learn about Brazilian culture in addition to learning the Portuguese language. Classes are provided at their offices in the Ipanema neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, online or a student's residences.

Português Carioca offers Portuguese language classes in four levels, from beginner to advanced. They also have classes that specialize in business Portuguese, pronunciation and the CELPE-BRAS exam preparation.

Fala Aí Portuguese

Fala Aí is a Portuguese language school located in Copacabana, near Siqueira Campos metro station. It was created in January 2016 and has since helped countless people from all over the world to achieve the goal of learning Portuguese. During the classes, topics that relate to the culture and daily life of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil are addressed, Students will understand how things work in Rio and then they can live to the fullest their experience.

“Fala Aí focuses on teaching Portuguese and they have activities outside of school such as cultural and social experiences. Many of our students become our friends because of extracurricular activities. We have students who have been taking classes with us for over 4 years", Igor Felizzola dos Santos, Director of Fala Aí Portuguese.

Fala Aí offers several packages, for example, 30 hours of classes over 2 weeks, or 60 hours over 4 weeks. The language classes take place Monday through Friday for 3 hours per day. International students on visas can sign up for 6-months or a year of intensive classes for the entire length of their stay. Fala also offer private language classes in person or online in packs of 10 hours.

Language Vacation

Learn Portuguese in Rio, enjoy your Portuguese learning vacation in the cidade marvilhosa "marvellous city", located between the ocean and the mountains. The school is situated just four blocks from the famous Ipanema Beach, which means you can come to school wearing your shorts and Havaianas! Every day there are 100% free and fun activities in Rio de Janeiro for students to socialise and practise their developing Portuguese skills. The wide-ranging activities and excursions the school offers enables students to get to know each other better.

BrazilLink Portuguese Language School

BrazilLink Portuguese Language School is located in Barra da Tijuca. The school has 3 classrooms with multimedia equipment, fans, air-conditioning and natural light. BrazilLink is more than a language school, it’s a place where language meets culture. Teachers have years of experience and they love what they do, they enjoy meeting new students and offer a warm welcome that makes you feel at home right away.

Aprenda2

As well as teaching the Portuguese language, the lessons at Aprenda2 have been specifically developed to answer the newcomer’s questions and concerns. This makes the experience all the richer. So that you can make the utmost of your experience, Aprenda2 has developed the ALEGRIA course. It goes much further than simply teaching you Brazilian Portuguese. The ALEGRIA course includes sociocultural questions such as the way of life, habits, traditions and much more. Thus you will enrich your experience in Brazil, go beyond the cultural shock and make your integration with the local people easier.

BiCortex Languages

BiCortex Languages employs fully qualified teachers, instructors and translators will adapt their methodology, approach and content to meet the customer’s needs. The curriculum and teaching style is matched to the student’s goals, learning preferences and the feedback provided during the training. BiCortex is flexible. They can teach and translate any language, any time. BiCortex operate 365 days per year. Any request or to provide support is always answered quickly and efficiently.

If we missed one of your favorite language schools in Rio de Janeiro, even if it's your own, don't hesitate to email us at outreach@vidalingua.com

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Boa Sorte 🍀

Marc Bolh
Founder Vidalingua