Objectives
Casa do Brasil, a center of language, art and culture, was founded in 1988. Its main purpose is to teach and to disseminate the Portuguese language and the Brazilian culture to foreigners.

Location and facilities
Located in Barra, district of Salvador, Bahia, 100 meters from the Atlantic Ocean, the school's facility is laid out according to the most famous language centers of Europe and the United States. Having available rooms duly equipped with all audiovisual resources, as well as living rooms and various terraces, we are prepared to provide ideal conditions for modern and efficient instruction.

Courses
The languague courses are divided into curricular courses and independent courses.

The goal of the curricular courses is to learn the language in greater depth by a prescribed sequence of modules. Comprehensive tests are taken in order to advance and a final examination is taken in order to obtain the diploma.

The curricular courses are divided as follows:

Basic: consisting of 4 modules/levels with the courses Beginner A / B and Basic A / B
Intermediate: consisting of the courses: Grammar I, Grammar II, Communication and Brazilian Culture. Intermediate courses A and B.
Advanced: consisting of the courses: Brazilian Literature and Preparation for the Final Examination. Advanced courses A and B

The goal of the Independent Courses is the use of the language as a means of communication (for either daily or specific purposes). At the end of each individual course, into which the student was placed according to his level of knowledge of the language, he receives a Certificate of Participation.

The independent courses are the following:

Portuguese for specific purposes, such as commercial and technical language, scientific language, courses for teachers of Portuguese as a foreign language, courses for foreign children, courses for the tourism and hotel industry, etc.;

Conversation - everyday speech and/or professional use of speech;

Vacational Course - joining didactic with leisure activities.

The curricular courses, as well the independent courses train the student in the principal skills needed to learn a foreign language: speaking, comprehension (oral and written), reading and writing. All of these courses can be individual (with the exception of Conversational) or in groups of 4 to 8 students.

Methodology
The didactics of Casa do Brasil is based on the "communicative approach" whose ultimate goal is the formation of the communicative competence. In other words, we help the student develop his capacity to use, with efficiency, the basic oral and written skills of the linguistic system. The school uses wisely selected and organized material which is used to meet the primary goal: integrate the instruction of the Portuguese language with the Brazilian culture. In addition to using games, films, theatrics, recitation etc., the students are indivited to participate in outside activities in order to get to know the Brazilian way of life, in an authentic manner, the different themes and situations taught in the classrom.

Duration of courses
The language courses are divided into units of 60 schoolhours (45 minutes each) per course, at least. The courses are taught in intensive periods of 2 or more weeks, according to each student`s availability. Long term courses of 2 or 3 times per week are also offered to those students who reside in or remain for a longer period in our city.

Teaching staff
The staff of the school is composed of multilingual teachers who are specially trained to carry out the particular characteristics of the instructional offerings. The team is led by the Director, Dr. phil. Denise Scheyerl, Bachelor's and Master's degree in Letters from the Federal University of Bahia; Ph.D. in Linguistics from the Ludwig - Maximilian University (Munich, Germany); Teacher of the Portuguese language at the Berlitz School in Munich and at the Goethe Institute in Salvador; and since 1975, Associate Professor of the Federal University of Bahia.

Recognition abroad
The courses of the Casa do Brasil are recognized by the Federal Republic of Germany by the "Behörde für Jugend, Schule und Berufsbildung" Hamburg (official institutions of the German government, dedicated to professional advancement and continuing education) Several other german states accept the recognition of the state of Hamburg. In addition, Casa do Brasil maintains an exchange with various universities and cultural organizations in the world.

Artistic-Cultural and Social Events
We promote varied events at Casa do Brasil, such as expositions and discussions, because we believe that the best way for our students to develop their knowledge of the Portuguese language is to participate in the cultural expressions of our people.

Overnights
PRIVATE HOME: You stay in personally chosen, clean private homes, with single room and breakfast. The best way to get to know the friendly Brazilian hospitality.
APARTMENTS: furnished apartments close to the school.
POUSADAS: nice and comfortable pensions
HOTEL VILLA ROMANA: Simple, but clean and friendly hotel located close to the school. Single or double rooms with bathroom and breakfast.
HOTEL MARAZUL: Good middleclass hotel, located at the beach. Single or double rooms with bathroom and breakfast.

Advising
Complete advisement is offered to the student concerning his basic necessities, such as lodging (in hotels or family dwellings), information about the city, tourist attractions, car rental and medical assistence. Extra-curricular cultural programs, accompanied by specialized personnel, are part of this advising process so that, along with the study of the language, a deeper interest in our city is awakened in the student.