
EPE Applications

On this page you can find information about applying for Portuguese language learning courses overseas.
Applications for 2019/20:
Applications for renewals and NEW APPLICATIONS - are made until 30th of April 2019 (either submitted online, through the tutor in charge or by filling in the application form and sending it to the teaching services department or giving it to an EPE teacher) and are only available for new students intending to enrol in Portuguese language and culture courses.
Across the EPE network Portuguese language courses for primary and secondary schools without their own programmes follow a plan of linguistic progression under the terms of QuaREPE which is a reference framework for teaching Portuguese overseas.
The use of QuaREPE endorses learning methods, verifies the curriculum and certifies linguistic levels in accordance with the Joint Resolution Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Courses within the nursery school network follow a programme of oral skills development.
Certifying the learning process for students requires a payment of an annual fee of €100 or €60 in entities with the associated school status. Courses with an integrated curriculum in their education systems are generally exempt. The application process takes however into account specific situations, particularly of a social nature, which warrant special treatment. This is the case of families with more than one child, situations involving unemployment and associated schools which are already receiving fees from the households involved.
Covered by the registration fee, students are then eligible to receive course books for learning the Portuguese language and culture and are exempt from paying for each level of learning under QuaREPE regulations, thus being automatically enrolled for the certification exam for the course language level they are studying.
All other students can take the exam once the fee has been paid.
Contributing to the teaching costs, fees are used for acquiring and distributing teaching materials, as well as financing the certification process and projects for educational and training purposes.
For a general improvement in the range of nursery, primary and secondary school courses within the EPE network, an online registration system is available for all students, allowing for a quick and comprehensive understanding of what teachers are seeking and a section for basic student profiles by age and language to enable a more efficient organisation of the classes in which they will be included. Student registration in the EPE network is mandatory.
Parents’ collaboration is required in every stage of the process.
EPE teachers can help fill in the application form, which is to be completed and signed by the student’s guardian and submitted to the teaching services department or sent to an EPE teacher.
Espanha e Andorra
Procedimentos de inscrição em Ensino de Português em Espanha e Andorra
Luxemburgo, Bélgica e PaÃses Baixos
Procedimentos de inscrição em Ensino de Português em Luxemburgo, Bélgica e PaÃses Baixos
Reino Unido
Procedimentos de inscrição em Ensino de Português no Reino Unido e Ilhas do Canal
Portuguese Co-operation

The policy of co-operation development is a key aspect of Portuguese foreign policy and one that is based on a national consensus between society and the main political forces, having as its objective the eradication of poverty and sustainable development in partner countries in terms of respect for people’s human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Activity
Comprising one of the main pillars of foreign policy, the main aim of co-operation development is the eradication of extreme poverty and for the sustainable development of partner countries, to be regarded as an investment and not as an expense and as a means of development and not of assistance. It is based on a model of decentralised management and is operated under the terms of the Strategic Concept for Portuguese Co-operation.
Programmes and projects
Camões, I.P. promotes, finances, co-finances and operates dozens of programmes and projects in a variety of areas in different partner countries, particularly in Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) and East Timor. Such interventions are the result of the advantages and benefits of Portuguese co-operation in response to the strategies outlined by partner countries.
According to the best international practices, identifying projects and their components ensures full support for relevant projects consistent with the policies of the partner country and the problems that need to be solved in order to make the proposed intervention viable, yield benefits and be managed effectively.
The implementation of projects is done systematically in order to effectively solve any identified problems and achieve the expected results, thus ensuring that each intervention is fully appropriated and sustainable.
In light of that, many integrated development programmes have been implemented in places like Cabo Delgado in Mozambique and Maubara in East Timor, for instance. A good example are the projects that have been supported in the areas of education which involved a total restructuring of the system, the creation of new curricula and textbooks and the training of teachers, managers and other professionals working in the industry. Health is another project area, incorporating the provision of care, sexual and reproductive health, health research and the use of technology like telemedicine. The environment and combating climate change have also been the focus of development programmes. Interventions conductive to reinforcing governance and the rule of law have also been introduced and directed at strengthening institutional functions, modernising legal and institutional frameworks and training professionals in the areas of internal security, justice and auditing institutions.
eLearning

Camões, I.P. offers eLearning services for different language areas, with the use of an online platform for learning the Portuguese language anywhere in the world.
Learn Portuguese
Portuguese General Courses
There are three Portuguese as a Foreign Language course options offering different types of tutoring:
- Self-learning courses
With self-correction tools available, the Portuguese as a Foreign Language / Self-learning courses helps students develop their oral and written comprehension skills without any need for personal tutoring. Over twelve weeks, students can study at their own pace with full access to all the exercises and other course features.
- Basic courses
The Portuguese as a Foreign Language / Basic course focuses on the four skills of oral and written comprehension, speaking and writing. Besides having access to the course exercises and auto-correction tool, students get six 30-minute personal tutoring sessions (via Skype) in small groups of up to three students throughout the 12-week duration of the course, as well as the tutor’s assessment of six pieces of written work.
- Premium courses
The Portuguese as a Foreign Language / Premium courses are designed to help students improve the four language skills of oral and written comprehension, speaking and writing. In addition to the exercises and auto-correction tool, the course provides students with twelve 30-minute one-on-one tutoring sessions (via Skype), which take place once a week throughout the 12-week duration of the course, as well as the tutor’s assessment of twelve pieces of written work. This course is designed for students looking for a more intensive learning experience with the addition of personal tutoring.
Check the list of available courses here.
Portuguese Business & Work
The Portuguese for the Workplace courses are aimed at people who want to develop their communication skills for professional reasons. These courses have a learning method based on real-life work scenarios with the use of company documents and business activities designed to help students become more familiar with the type of language used in different work situations.
- Business Portuguese;
- Legal Portuguese;
- Portuguese for Journalism;
- Portuguese for Tourism and Hospitality;
Advanced Courses
Camões, I.P. also offers specialisation courses, in partnership with Portuguese and international universities, accredited with ECTS (European Credits Transfer System), in areas such as Portuguese culture, translation and development co-operation. These courses are mainly designed for graduates and undergraduate students living in Portugal or abroad. These courses require a proficient command of Portuguese.
- Culture and history;
- Translation;
- Co-operation and development;
Continuous training for teachers
Continuous training courses for teachers are based on two fundamental factors:
- Accreditation: Courses are accredited by the Conselho CientÃfico-Pedagógico para a Formação ContÃnua (CCPFC), who holds the responsibility of accrediting the training entities and continuous training programmes for teachers, as well as the monitoring of the evaluation process of the continuous training system, in compliance with the terms of the Portuguese Legal Framework for Continuous Training for Teachers.
- Quality: In order to make these programmes possible, Camões, I.P. resorts to partnerships with higher education organisations, experts and leading researchers in various fields.
At the present moment, courses are available on the following fields:
- Education;
Courses dedicated to the concepts, methods and development of specific communication skills, namely reading and writing.
- Linguistics.
This course is focused on critical areas in linguistics and language learning.
Outros Contactos
Conselho Diretivo
Presidente do Conselho Diretivo
Embaixador LuÃs Faro Ramos
Fax: (+351) 213 143 987
Vice-Presidente do Conselho Diretivo
Dr. Gonçalo Nuno Teles Gomes
Fax: (+351) 213 143 987
Vogal do Conselho Diretivo
Dra. Paula Pedro Loureiro
Vogal do Conselho Diretivo
Mestre João Laurentino Costa Pinho Neves
Direção de Serviços de Cooperação Multilateral e Europeia (DSCME)
Diretor de Serviços – Mestre Pedro Oliveira
Divisões
Divisão de Assuntos Multilaterais (DAM)
Chefe de Divisão - Dra. Paula Pereira
Divisão de Assuntos Europeus (DAE)
Chefe de Divisão - Dra. Maria Leticia Bairrada
Divisão de Parcerias Estratégicas (DPE)
Chefe de Divisão - Dra. Carolina Estróia
Direção de Serviços de Cooperação Bilateral (DSCB)
Diretor de Serviços - Dra. Sandra Magalhães
Divisões
Divisão de Ação Humanitária, Sociedade Civil e Cidadania (DAHSCC)
Chefe de Divisão - Mestre Sérgio Guimarães
Divisão de Programação e Cooperação (DPC)
Chefe de Divisão - Dra. Odete Serra
Direção de Serviços da LÃngua (DSLC)
Diretora de Serviços - Dr. Rui Vaz
Divisões
Divisão de Programação, Formação e Certificação (DPFC)
Chefe de Divisão -
Divisão de Coordenação do Ensino Português no Estrangeiro (DCEPE)
Chefe de Divisão - Mestre Pedro Miguel de Oliveira Alves Carlos
Direção de Serviços de Cultura (DSC)
Diretora de Serviços - Dra. Cristina Caetano
Divisões
Divisão de Ação Cultural Externa (DACE)
Chefe de Divisão – Dra. Ana Azemel
Divisão de Programas e Acordos Culturais (DPAC)
Chefe de Divisão - Dra. Natália Campbell
Direção de Serviços de Planeamento e Gestão (DSPG)
Diretor de Serviços - Dra. Carla Teresa Rodrigues
Divisões
Divisão Planeamento e Recursos Humanos (DPRH)
Chefe de Divisão - Dr. Hugo Almeida
Divisão de Gestão Financeira e Patrimonial (DGFP)
Chefe de Divisão - Dra. Ana Cunha
Divisão de Apoio JurÃdico e Contencioso (DAJC)
Chefe de Divisão - Mestre André Soares
Gabinetes
Gabinete de Avaliação e Auditoria (GAA)
Chefe de Divisão - Dra. Manuela Afonso
Gabinete de Planeamento, Programação e EstatÃstica (GPPE)
Chefe de Divisão - Dr. Miguel Girão de Sousa
Gabinete de Documentação e Comunicação (GDC)
Chefe de Divisão - Mestre Vera Sousa
Conselho Diretivo
Presidente do Conselho Diretivo
Embaixador LuÃs Faro Ramos
Fax: (+351) 213 143 987
Vice-Presidente do Conselho Diretivo
Dr. Gonçalo Nuno Teles Gomes
Fax: (+351) 213 143 987
Vogal do Conselho Diretivo
Dra. Paula Pedro Loureiro
Vogal do Conselho Diretivo
Mestre João Laurentino Costa Pinho Neves
Direção de Serviços de Cooperação Multilateral e Europeia (DSCME)
Diretor de Serviços – Mestre Pedro Oliveira
Divisões
Divisão de Assuntos Multilaterais (DAM)
Chefe de Divisão - Dra. Paula Pereira
Divisão de Assuntos Europeus (DAE)
Chefe de Divisão - Dra. Maria Leticia Bairrada
Divisão de Parcerias Estratégicas (DPE)
Chefe de Divisão - Dra. Carolina Estróia
Direção de Serviços de Cooperação Bilateral (DSCB)
Diretor de Serviços - Dra. Sandra Magalhães
Divisões
Divisão de Ação Humanitária, Sociedade Civil e Cidadania (DAHSCC)
Chefe de Divisão - Mestre Sérgio Guimarães
Divisão de Programação e Cooperação (DPC)
Chefe de Divisão - Dra. Odete Serra
Direção de Serviços da LÃngua (DSLC)
Diretora de Serviços - Dr. Rui Vaz
Divisões
Divisão de Programação, Formação e Certificação (DPFC)
Chefe de Divisão -
Divisão de Coordenação do Ensino Português no Estrangeiro (DCEPE)
Chefe de Divisão - Mestre Pedro Miguel de Oliveira Alves Carlos
Direção de Serviços de Cultura (DSC)
Diretora de Serviços - Dra. Cristina Caetano
Divisões
Divisão de Ação Cultural Externa (DACE)
Chefe de Divisão – Dra. Ana Azemel
Divisão de Programas e Acordos Culturais (DPAC)
Chefe de Divisão - Dra. Natália Campbell
Direção de Serviços de Planeamento e Gestão (DSPG)
Diretor de Serviços - Dra. Carla Teresa Rodrigues
Divisões
Divisão Planeamento e Recursos Humanos (DPRH)
Chefe de Divisão - Dr. Hugo Almeida
Divisão de Gestão Financeira e Patrimonial (DGFP)
Chefe de Divisão - Dra. Ana Cunha
Divisão de Apoio JurÃdico e Contencioso (DAJC)
Chefe de Divisão - Mestre André Soares
Gabinetes
Gabinete de Avaliação e Auditoria (GAA)
Chefe de Divisão - Dra. Manuela Afonso
Gabinete de Planeamento, Programação e EstatÃstica (GPPE)
Chefe de Divisão - Dr. Miguel Girão de Sousa
Gabinete de Documentação e Comunicação (GDC)
Chefe de Divisão - Mestre Vera Sousa
Training for teachers
Camões, I.P. provides the initial training of teachers of Portuguese abroad, whether as a foreign or a second language.
For Portuguese as a foreign language, Camões, I.P. provides support to 225 courses. Teachers with Portuguese as a second language can find Camões, I.P. lectureships interacting with 14 courses in this area, teaching on average about 5,000 students per year.
Camões, I.P. also runs on-site or hybrid continuous training of Portuguese language teachers in Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique, at 49 training nuclei, with a total average per year of 125 trainers and 1,800 trainees who teach Portuguese to a universe of about 350,000 students at primary and secondary level.
Board of Directors - Vice-President
Vice-President of the Board
Gonçalo Nuno Teles Gomes
Vice-President of the Camões, I.P. Board since March 2016. He has had a diplomatic career stretching back two decades during which he was based at the Embassies of Kinshasa, Pretoria, permanent missions in Geneva and Maputo (Consul general), held the position Director of Services for the Americas and worked for the United Nations in MINURCAT (Chad and the Central African Republic). Born in Setúbal, he holds a degree and a masters in Law.
Primary and Secondary School Education

Camões, I.P. has created a set of initiatives for learning the Portuguese language overseas at primary and secondary school level.
Training for professionals
Camões, I.P. runs specific training for:
- Public administration officers and security and defence forces, in co-operation programmes between Portugal and other countries;
- Permanent staff, technical and administrative personnel working for international and regional bodies, namely the African Union, Southern Africa Development Community, West Africa Economic Community and, in the financial context, the African Development Bank;
- Diplomats;
- Permanent staff from companies with Portuguese capital and with Portuguese as a working, legal, diplomatic and business language.
Higher Education

Camões, I.P. offers a set of possibilities for learning Portuguese overseas at higher education level.
Of particular note are the academic chairs, Portuguese Language Centres and lectorships.
Member of the Board of Directors
Paula Pedro Loureiro
Member of the Board of Auditors since January 2018. In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2001, with a career in public governance, specially focused in budget control, held the position Director for Planning and Budget Control from 2012 until January 2018. Born in Lisboa, holds a degree in Economics and post-graduation in European Studies and in International Relations.
Training for translators and interpreters
Camões, I.P. co-operates with European, African, Asian and American universities, as well as international organizations in training programmes for translators and interpreters, contributing to the status of Portuguese as a language of global communication in its own right.
Member of the Board
Master João Laurentino Costa Pinho Neves
He has an undergraduate degree in Modern Languages and Literature (Portuguese and English Studies) and a Master degree in Intercultural Relations. He started his teaching career in 1985. He was a Lecturer at the Instituto Camões in Nampula, Mozambique (from 1995 to 2000), and Head of the Coordinating Centres of Portuguese Language of the same Institute (from 2000 to 2002). He was Cultural Attaché of the Portuguese Embassy in Cape Verde and Director of the Portuguese Cultural Centre (from 2003 to 2012). He was Director of the IPOR - Instituto Português do Oriente, in Macau (from 2012 to 2018). He has been a Member of the Board of Directors of Camões – Instituto da Cooperação e da LÃngua, by Order of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, since 1 September 2018.
Secretariat
Maria Elizabeth Melo – Presidente – Tel: (+351) 213 109 103
Ana Maria Gomes – Vice-Presidente – Tel: (+351) 213 109 128
Cláudia Pereira Cardoso – Vice-Presidente – Tel: (+351) 213 109 189
Eusébia Pereira – Vogal 1 – Tel: (+351) 213 176 889
Zita Coelho – Vogal 2 – Tel: (+351) 213 109 104
Advisor to the Board
Maria Inês Castelo Branco
Tel: (+351) 213 109 122
Studying in Portugal
In Portugal, there are several educational institutes offering Portuguese courses for foreigners working or studying in Portugal.
Advisory bodies
Inter-ministerial Commission for Co-operation
Mission
The Inter-ministerial Commission for Co-operation (CIC) is a sectorial body for government support in the area of development co-operarion policy, working together with Camões, I.P..
Duties
The CIC’s main responsibilities are to:
- Provide support to the government in defining co-operative policies with developing countries;
- Promote the specific planning of programmes and projects of public development aid;
- Implement the activities of the various ministries regarding co-operation and public development aid, with a view to establishing concerted guidelines and strengthening the co-ordination and coherence of development policies;
- Promote and co-ordinate the execution of publicly-driven co-operative programmes;
- Promote the collation and sharing of information and statistical data among its members relating to the implementation of co-operation activity.
Advisory Council for the Portuguese Language and Culture
The Advisory Council is the official body for consultation, support and participation in the definition of the general performance of Camões, I.P., meeting at least once a year according to its internal regulations.
The Advisory Council consists of:
- The President of Camões, I.P. who presides over its affairs, along with the vice president and board members;
- A representative from each member of government responsible for the areas of foreign affairs, the economy, education, higher education, science and technology, culture, youth and the media;
- The director-general of foreign policy, the director-general of European affairs , the director-general of consular affairs and Portuguese communities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- Five people of a recognised level of expertise in the fields of education, research, the arts and science;
- By a representative of each of the teaching staff unions, incorporating the trade union confederations represented in the permanent commission for social dialogue.
Roles
The Advisory Council is responsible for:
- Expressing its opinion on the activity plan and report of Camões, I.P., in the area of the Portuguese language and culture;
- Providing an opinion on training plans relating to the teaching of Portuguese overseas;
- Providing an opinion on the planning relating to the Portuguese teaching network abroad;
- Providing an opinion on the setting up of Portuguese cultural centers and the co-ordination structures of the Portuguese teaching abroad;
- Providing an opinion, on its own initiative or at the request of the President, on initiatives relevant to Camões, I.P’s roles regarding the Portuguese language and culture;
- Interfacing Camões, I.P. with governmental bodies and public services with which the Institute is involved in order to fulfil its duties in the area of the Portuguese language and culture.
Grants

Camões, I.P. offers grants for studying Portuguese in specific situations, most notably in the areas of language and co-operation.
The Camões, I.P. scholarship programme is intended to support and promote:
- Study and research of the Portuguese language and culture;
- Scientific teaching and training of Portuguese as a second language;
- Teaching and advanced learning in the area of conference translation and interpretation.