Belo Horizonte

@Em2810 I am taking a break from waiting for my 1 out of 8 English Learning students to come to class in Northeastern Brazil. Language learning classes are not really dependable. My recommendation is learning as much Brazilian Portuguese as she can BEFORE she comes here. There are plenty of great YouTube Channels that will give you a great start. I also have the "I Translate" app on my phone which is instant translation.

The bottom line is that in almost every part of Brazil knowing Portuguese is extremely important. It is like the Olympics or a Major Sports Event. Once the whistle blows it, it is too late if you are not already prepared. It is a challenge if you wait until you get here. Everyone here already knows Brazilian Portuguese, so there is not a real demand for anyone to learn it and so Portuguese lessons are slim. It is much better to learn it virtually before she comes.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

FYI The Love of my Life Brazilian Wife started out working as an AuPair for diplomats in Brazil before she moved with them to the United States where I met her 25 years ago. it is possible that if you meet a diplomat, executive with children that is being sent to Brazil that will solve most of what you are looking for.

02/15/25 My 19 year old english daughter wants to learn portugese in BH and is interested in Art and Design classes - and also possibly being an au pair- can anyone help me out with any leads or contacts please. many thanks - @Em2810

The Pontifical Catholic University (PUC) of Minas in Belo Horizonte offers a Portuguese for Foreigners course.  This university is undoubtedly accredited by the Ministry of Education and Culture.  It's unclear whether students not regularly enrolled in PUC can pay to take it.  The information appears here: 

https://www.pucminas.br/ari/ingles/Acad … gners.aspx

The principal public universities in Belo Horizonte, the Federal University of Minas Gerais and the State University of Minas Gerais periodically offer Portuguese for Foreigners courses.  The State University also has a School of Design. 

Federal University -- https://ufmg.br/international-visitors

State University -- https://www.uemg.br/

There are a number of private Portuguese for Foreigners courses offered in BH.  As far as I can tell none of them is accredited, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they wouldn't be effective.  A search on "Portuguese for Foreigners courses Belo Horizonte"  will show them to you.

You and your daughter should be aware that a person in Brazil on a student visa is prohibited from working for pay; if she comes into the country legally as an au pair (presumably on the work visa) how much time she has for study should be part of her agreement with her employer.  Coming into Brazil on a tourist visa or visa waiver for tourists and overstaying is not a good idea.

@abthree Those are very good suggestions, but she won`t even make it to Baggage Claim without learning a little Portuguese first. 🕵

Working illegally, which I infer is your intention based on the post, in a country where next to no one speaks english, and she does not speak the language, is the worst of all possible scenarios for a very negative outcome. Just sayin'........

She should go to Portugal with sufficient funding. BTW Portuguese is not easy like Spanish is.

Good luck !!!