Portuguese
With 260 million speakers, Portuguese is one of the top ten languages spoken in the world. The vast majority of Portuguese speakers live in Brazil – the world’s eighth largest economy. It is an official language in nine countries, including Angola and Mozambique, as well as in the Chinese autonomous territory of Macau.
Over 20,000 people said they spoke Portuguese at home in Ireland at the time of the last census.
Leaving Certificate Portuguese
Since 2020 Portuguese is being offered as a curricular Leaving Certificate subject. Visit our FAQs for more information about learning Portuguese as a Leaving Cert subject.
If you are interested in studying Portuguese for the Leaving Cert but it’s not available in your school, check out our Saturday Classes.
Cultural richness
Portugal, with its dramatic coastlines and unique cuisine, is one of the most popular destinations for Irish holidaymakers. Its capital Lisbon has enjoyed a wave of investment in recent years and become one of Europe’s most popular city-break destinations. Portugal is also known for its agriculture, textiles, ceramics and ship-building.
Brazil is known for some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, its distinctive Bossa Nova music and a flair for football that has won it five FIFA World Cups.
Fast growing economy
Brazil was the world’s eighth largest economy in 2017 according to the International Monetary Fund. Along with Russia, India and China, Brazil is one of the BRIC economies that most economists agree will drive global economic growth in the coming decades.
Significant market for Ireland
Brazil is a significant market for Irish educational institutions and Ireland has seen significant immigration from Brazil in recent years.
Check out our “Why Learn Portuguese?” video playlist!
Portuguese music playlist
There is so much brilliant Portuguese music to enjoy and move to. Music is a useful way to help increase vocabulary and improve pronunciation, so why not add some songs in Portuguese to your favourite playlists.
Visit our Spotify for some recommended playlists in Portuguese and more.
Portuguese reading list
Reading in Portuguese or any new language is useful for learning new vocabulary in context and grammatical structures.
From Graphic Novels to Cookery and more, find a genre you’ll enjoy in our selected reading list.
Learn some classroom vocab with our Portuguese language mat
Study Portuguese at Third Level
- Animals and Veterinary Science with Portuguese
- Farming, Horticulture and Forestry with Portuguese
- Food and Beverages with Portuguese
- Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science with Portuguese
- Computers and ICT with Portuguese
- Construction Architecture and Property with Portuguese
- Earth and Environment with Portuguese
- Engineering, Manufacturing and Energy with Portuguese
- Physics, Mathematics and Space Science with Portuguese
- Medical and Healthcare with Portuguese
- Psychology and Social Care with Portuguese
- Art, Craft and Design with Portuguese
- Media, Film and Publishing with Portuguese
- Music and Performing Arts with Portuguese
- History, Culture and Languages with Portuguese
- Law and Legal with Portuguese
- Accountancy and Taxation with Portuguese
- Banking and Finance with Portuguese
- Leisure, Sport and Fitness with Portuguese
