Portuguese as Additional Language (PAL)

Portuguese as an Additional Language (PAL) at The British School of Brasilia is a dedicated programme, integrated into the school timetable, designed to support Primary and Secondary pupils who do not have Portuguese as their first language. As an international British school in the capital of Brazil, we recognise the importance of equipping our international pupils with the linguistic skills necessary to engage confidently with their local environment, while maintaining full alignment with an international academic pathway.

The PAL programme is tailored to meet the needs of expatriate and international students at different stages of language acquisition. Lessons are carefully structured to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in Portuguese, with progression guided by each pupil’s level of proficiency (based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Teaching approaches emphasise clarity, consistency and practical language use, enabling pupils to apply what they learn both within the school context and in everyday situations.

At Primary level, the programme focuses on building foundational language skills through age-appropriate activities that support communication and classroom participation. At Secondary level, the emphasis expands to include more complex language structures, academic vocabulary and reading comprehension, allowing pupils to access a broader range of curricular content and to communicate with greater precision, such as IGCSE/GCSE and the International Baccalaureate® Diploma Programme (IBDP).

The PAL curriculum is delivered by qualified specialists with extensive experience in teaching Portuguese as an additional language to expatriate pupils. Instruction is informed by continuous assessment, ensuring that teaching strategies and learning objectives remain responsive to individual progress. This personalised approach supports pupils in developing confidence in Portuguese without compromising their engagement with the British curriculum.

By offering Portuguese as an Additional Language, The British School of Brasilia reinforces its commitment to inclusion, academic continuity and intercultural understanding.