Undergraduate Program
Learn Portuguese!
Why study Portuguese?
Spoken by over 200 million people, Portuguese is the sixth-most widely spoken language in the world, well ahead of German (10th), French (11th), and Italian (15th).
It is not only the official language of Portugal and Brazil, but is spoken in several countries in Africa.
Brazil is the 5th-largest country in the world with the 8th-largest economy. The state of São Paulo has the largest industrial zone in Latin America. With more than 170 million people, Brazil has a mass consumer market. The US is Brazil's largest trading partner.
Afro-Brazilians constitute the largest black population of the New World. Brazil also has the largest Japanese population outside Japan.
Because few Americans speak Portuguese, proficiency in the language is a highly marketable business skill.
The overwhelming majority of the Amazon rainforest, home to countless species of flora and fauna, is located in Brazil. The Pantanal region contains the world's largest wetlands.
With 9,000 km of coastline, Brazil has gorgeous beaches, from Rio de Janeiro's famous Copacabana beach to the enormous sand dune and palm-lined beaches of the northeast. Splendid colonial architecture is found in cities such as Salvador, Ouro Preto and Belém.
Brazil has the most famous Carnival in the world, a rich traditional folklore, and delicious cuisine.
You will be able to sing along with Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Tom Jobim and understand the lyrics of fabulous bossa nova and samba songs. Brazilian music is simply the best!
Why study Portuguese at UT?
You can fulfill your Foreign Language requirement.
If you are a Spanish speaker, you can complete 4 semesters of Portuguese in 2.
POR 406 and 407 are the only introductory language courses that meet only 4 times a week. Enjoy Fridays off!
Study abroad in Brazil. UT has exchange programs with universities in Minas Gerais (home to beautiful colonial towns) and Bahia (Afro-Brazil's "capital" and beautiful beaches).
Interact with students and faculty from many Portuguese-speaking countries.
Have fun: enjoy great movies, music, and literature.
Brazilians are outgoing and love when foreigners speak Portuguese.
Small classes, personalized attention, faculty who know you by name, and it is easier to get into than Spanish.
What do our students say?
Kacy McKinney, Portuguese major:
"My interest in Brazil began with the music but became a true passion on my first trip there. In UT, I have found various extensions and resources for my studies: free Capoeira classes, The Brazilian Ensemble, The Brazil Center, the Benson library's extensive collection, courses in history, culture, politics and great language classes!"
Dan Johnson, Finance and Business Honors Senior:
"I am graduating in May and am interviewing for full time positions. Speaking Portuguese has made me a more attractive candidate: all the interviewers are very interested in my Portuguese skills."
Cristen Cawthon, Portuguese major:
"I only agreed to take Portuguese because my advisor suggested it, since I had studied Spanish for several years. Since then, I have acquired many Brazilian friends, discovered some of the most brilliant music ever made, and become part of a Brazilian family who lives in Minas Gerais."
Portuguese Language Courses offered in UT
POR 406 - First-Year Portuguese 1 - MTWTh
POR 407 - First-Year Portuguese 2 - MTWTh
POR 508 - Intensive First-Year Portuguese for Spanish Speakers - MTWThF
POR 312K - Second-Year Portuguese 1 - MWF
POR 312L - Second-Year Portuguese 2 - MWF
POR 516 - Intensive Second-Year Portuguese for Spanish Speakers - MTWThF
POR 326K - Advanced Conversation and Composition - TTh
For more information contact:
Orlando Kelm
Supervisor of Lower-Division Portuguese
orkelm@mail.utexas.edu
232-4534
MEZ 4.146
Liz Hastings
Academic Advisor, Spanish and Portuguese Dept.
eyhastings@mail.utexas.edu
232-4506
Helena Wilkins-Versalovic
Advising Program Coordinator, Study Abroad Office
helena@mail.utexas.edu
471-6415
Jennifer Potter-Andreu
Coordinator, Brazil Center
jpotterandreu@mail.utexas.edu
471-8418