Empowering Migrants and Refugees by Offering Inclusive Portuguese Language Courses and Promoting Intercultural Sialogue in São Leopoldo

São Leopoldo commits to implement "Teaching Portuguese as a Host Language” (PLAc, in Portuguese), a course designed for migrants and refugees to facilitate their knowledge of the Portuguese language and foster an understanding of the Brazilian culture.

The course seeks to empower migrants and refugees so they can actively participate in their host community and promotes opportunities for intercultural exchange among different nationalities. It was designed to bridge the students’ cultural heritage with the various aspects of Brazilian culture, including by actively listening to students, getting to know their stories and moving away from a perspective that portrays those seeking refuge solely as recipients of assistance.

The course spans a total of 42 hours of in-person meetings. Upon course completion, students receive a certificate, fulfilling the requirement for proof of Portuguese proficiency as part of the Brazilian naturalization process.

Since its start in 2021, the course has reached over 50 migrants of different nationalities (Syrians, Lebanese, Venezuelans, Moroccans, Senegalese, and Haitians). São Leopoldo will expand this course so it can reach more people, by increasing the number of classes and providing recreational space so that students' children can accompany their parents.