Fees & More

• Non-Member: $300
• Member: $275*

*An active IDESST membership is REQUIRED in advance to qualify for the discount. If you would like to submit a new member application, and further support IDESST Sausalito Portuguese Cultural Center, click on the following link. Applications must be approved by our Board of Directors before you can be an active member and qualify for the member discount. Click here to go to our Membership page.

• Class size limit. Each class level will be limited to 20 students. Register early!
• Wait list. There will be a wait list for each class level. Students on the wait list will be notified of their status prior to the start of the first class
• Minimum number of registered students per class. Please be aware that if a minimum number of registered students is not reached for any of the class levels, the class may be cancelled for the semester. 
• Switching class levels. If a student thinks that a class is too easy or too difficult, they will be allowed to switch class levels through the 2nd class. 
• Late registration. Late registration will be allowed only through the 3rd class. Registration will be closed after the third class. Registration will be cancelled for anyone with an unpaid balance after the third class. No refunds will be offered after registration closes.
• Make-up classes or credit are not available if a student joins class after the semester has started or if a student misses a class. In the event the instructor misses a class, a make-up class will be scheduled or a recorded class may be available for a limited time.

Course Material

All course material will be provided by the instructor using Google Docs, an online collaboration tool. Students enrolled in a class will receive an invitation to join Google Drive which will give access to all course materials. Detailed instructions for using Google Drive will be given by the instructor during class.

FREE Textbook (register early!)

We are excited to provide a limited number of textbooks to registered students on a first come first serve basis. Material from these specific textbooks may or may not be used in the classes but they can still be a good resource. Textbooks are provided by the Camões Institute in Portugal and the Consulate General of Portugal in San Francisco to ensure the promotion of the Portuguese language and culture. Books will be mailed to students via USPS book rate and may take 5-10 business days. *Previous students may already have the textbooks that are offered. We will not provide additional copies of the textbook to students to whom we have already mailed a copy.

Zoom

All virtual classes will be conducted using Zoom, a video conferencing software that allows group video sessions and screen sharing using a computer's built-in video camera and microphone. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that their equipment meets the system requirements to attend a virtual class using Zoom, including compatible hardware, software, telecommunications equipment and internet service.

The Zoom desktop app is available for Windows and macOS and the mobile app is available for Android and iOS, but we recommend using a computer for class instead of a mobile phone.

GET ZOOM

Go to the Zoom website to sign up for a Free Zoom Account and download the desktop software.

TEST ZOOM

You can test your internet connection by joining a Zoom test meeting.

LEARN ZOOM

Never used Zoom? Check out their support page to learn more about Joining a meeting

To maximize the security of the virtual classroom, all classes will require an entry link and a password, both will be provided in an email prior to class. A Waiting Room will also be utilized where the instructor will admit you to the class.

Virtual Classroom Guidelines

Arrive on time - Please be ready to start class on time. Late arrivals can be distracting to a class in progress. If you arrive late be sure you are on mute. The instructor will admit you into class from the waiting room.

Participate - This is a collaborative class and participation is expected. Be prepared to be on camera and make sure your name appears with your image.

Position your camera properly - If possible position your camera at eye level and have good lighting coming from in front of your face, not from behind you.

Master the mute button - Mute yourself except when you are speaking or if your instructor asks you to unmute.

Be aware of your background - Avoid distracting backgrounds or activities in the background. If changing your physical background is not possible, consider using a virtual background or blur your background. Remember, nothing is private online!

Raise your hand - Please respect your classmates. One person speaks at a time unless the instructor asks all students to speak together.

Use chat - Ask questions on chat. Answer questions on chat. Share thoughts on chat. But try not to abuse chat and avoid using all caps - no need to shout. 

Our Instructor

Sergio Pedrosa

Sergio is a Luso-American who was raised in the Portuguese enclave of New Bedford, Massachusetts, while also spending lengthy stretches of time, from childhood to young adulthood, in Figueira da Foz, a coastal city on the Silver Coast of Portugal. Sergio finished his high school years in Portugal and began his higher education in the university hub of Coimbra, before transferring to the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth to complete a BA in History and then an MA in Portuguese Studies. While working on his graduate degree he held a teaching assistantship, leading courses in Introduction to Portuguese and Luso-American Literary Studies. He has been working professionally as an educator since completing his graduate studies. Sergio has been infatuated with other cultures since he was given a globe and an atlas for Christmas when he was in the 3rd grade and has always sought out experiences attempting to learn more about the lives and cultures of people all over the world.

Sergio joined IDESST Sausalito Portuguese Cultural Center in the Fall of 2022, where he teaches a variety of levels of Portuguese to people of all ages. He has a family that is learning the language and understands how difficult and frustrating it can be to learn a language as someone without a direct and daily link to the language. He is here to both support and challenge you. With Sergio as your instructor, you can expect to be encouraged to speak from the very beginning, and to have fun exploring Portuguese culture.

Need More information?

If you can't find answers to your questions, send any inquiries to our Language Program Administrators.

Student Testimonials:

Sérgio is welcoming, encouraging, and always in good humor. He enriches the mechanics of language learning with cultural and historic details that give words their greater meaning.

Sergio is an excellent teacher. He combines his intelligence, humor and knowledge as a native speaker to create a stimulating experience.

Sergio is a great teacher of the Portuguese language. He also includes cultural aspects in his classes. He is skilled in Adult learning techniques and makes the classes fun and interactive. I highly recommend taking classes from Sergio!

Sergio makes the class so interesting with extra bits of knowledge he shares about his personal experiences in Portugal. I appreciate that he also helps us with pronunciation and learning to speak like a local, He also provide a Google drive with all class materials so we can easily access at anytime.

Sergio is a great teacher. Very responsive to feedback and very open.