At Aspire International School, we are deeply committed to helping every student develop both a strong command of the Portuguese language and a genuine appreciation for the rich culture of Portugal.
Through our unique Portuguese Push initiative, we provide an immersive, exciting, and highly effective approach to language learning — from preschool through to A Level.
1. Highly Skilled Teaching Team
- All Primary teachers are fluent in Portuguese, incorporating daily conversational practice into lessons and routines.
- A specialist Portuguese teacher delivers formal lessons across Primary and KS3, ensuring structured and progressive language development.
- In KS3, students enjoy equal lesson time in Portuguese and English, making Portuguese a core subject.
- Portuguese GCSE and A Level are actively promoted, led by Margarida, a highly experienced teacher with a proven track record of success across the Algarve.
- Structured conversation sessions for A Level students help them develop confidence and fluency in real-world contexts.
2. Curriculum Integration & Compulsory Learning
- Portuguese is compulsory up to Year 11, ensuring that all students leave Aspire with a high level of proficiency.
- Focus Wednesdays (Years 1–4): one day each week where students speak only Portuguese throughout the day.
- Our bilingual preschool has both teachers fluent in Portuguese and English, fostering natural bilingual development from the earliest years.
- An after-school Portuguese club provides extra support and enrichment for students who wish to go further.
3. Cultural Immersion
- Celebration of Portuguese holidays, events, and traditions are fully integrated into the school calendar.
- Primary students engage in project-based learning built around three annual cultural themes:
- Natural – Algarve landmarks
- Ancient – Portuguese historical sites
- Creative – Portuguese artists
- Strong community links with Almancil public school provide opportunities for sports exchanges and collaborative projects.
4. Community Connections
We believe that learning Portuguese goes beyond the classroom. Our students build deeper bonds with their host country through partnerships with:
- Local old people’s homes
- Orphanages
- Portuguese markets
- Beach clean initiatives
- Animal shelters
These experiences develop empathy, civic responsibility, and cultural awareness, enriching our students’ education and lives.
Why This Matters
Our vision is to produce confident, bilingual graduates who not only master the Portuguese language but also connect meaningfully with the community and culture around them.
Whether your child is a native speaker or a complete beginner, the Portuguese Push initiative ensures that every student thrives academically, socially, and linguistically — preparing them for success in Portugal and beyond.
