Class Days / Times

We offer five VIRTUAL classes plus a FREE Conversational class

• Children (ages 7 - 12; all levels):  Tuesday 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
• Beginning Adults Level 1 (For Absolute Beginners) (13+): Tuesday 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
• Beginning Adults Level 2 (13+): Sunday 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• Intermediate Adults (13+): Sunday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Advanced Adults (13+):  Sunday 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
• Conversational Adults (13+): Monday 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM *FREE*

Check out the language event page for specific dates and times.

Fees

• Children's Class: $135
  
• Adult Class: $250 (Non-Member)
• Adult Class: $225 (Member Discount)*

*An active IDESST membership is required 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.  https://idesst.wildapricot.org/membership

• Enroll in a 2nd Class: $50  Pay for one class, and in the same session, take a second class  for only $50 more.  Example:  A student can officially enroll in / pay for the Intermediate class, and they can take the Beginner class at the same time to reinforce the basics. Please note the second class for $50 does not apply to another, separate student, nor does it apply to any other semester(s).
• Freebie!  If you are enrolled in any class and wish to silently audit an additional class during the same session,  you may do so for free. Students who audit a class must have microphones muted and video cameras turned off during virtual class, and they will not be allowed to participate.
• Late registration will be allowed only through the 3rd class. Registration will be closed after the third class.
• Make-up classes or credit are not available if a student misses a class. In the event the instructor misses a class, a make-up class will be scheduled.
  

Course Material

All course material will be provided by the instructor using Canvas, an online learning portal. Students enrolled in a class will receive an invitation to create an account in Canvas which will give access to all course materials.

Participants in the *free* Conversation class will not be given a Canvas account.

System Requirements

All virtual classes will be conducted using Zoom, a video conferencing service that allows group video sessions and screen sharing. To maximize the security of each class, all virtual classes will require an entry link and a password, both will be provided by the instructor in an email prior to class.

The Zoom desktop app is available for Windows and macOS, while the mobile app is available for Android and iOS. We recommend that you test your internet connection on your device before classes start by joining a Zoom test meeting.

Click on the following link to initiate the Zoom test: https://zoom.us/test. 

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.

Our Instructor

Margarida Castela is a native speaker from Castelo Branco, located in the central northern region of Portugal. She earned her degree in Literature, Arts and Culture at the Universidade de Lisboa, and in addition to teaching children's and adult Portuguese classes in the Bay Area since 2013, she also teaches humanities at San Francisco State University and Diablo Valley College.

Margarida enjoys teaching the complexities of Portuguese grammar and exploring many aspects of Portugal’s rich heritage. Her travels throughout Europe and the United States have provided her with many cross-cultural experiences, thereby enabling her to relate with students from many walks of life and backgrounds.

Need More information?

If you can't find answers to your questions, send an inquiry and our Language Program Director will get back to you.

Student Testimonials:

" This class was really great and allowed me to connect to my Portuguese heritage. The teacher was very helpful and created a fun learning environment. I will definitely continue my Portuguese language journey at IDESST.

— K. ANDERS

"We tried an “immersion” class in the city where the instructor only spoke Portuguese and we floundered the entire time. So glad we found the Zoom class offered by IDESST. We loved our instructor Margarida who made learning fun and practical. After 15 weeks I had already learned a ton but was left wanting more! Looking forward to the fall session.

— L. GEOFFROY

" As many others have done, I had to cancel my summer trip to Portugal. Margarida’s ZOOM class enabled me to have a "Portuguese Experience” and learn some language skills that will help when travel opens. It’s a great time to learn a language and Margarida does an excellent job teaching and making it a fun experience. It’s also very hard to find a European Portuguese teacher, so no matter where you live you can participate. Can’t wait for Fall semester!

— S. SIMAS

" I have yet to encounter a classroom environment in which I can learn a foreign language as quickly and as excitedly as I do in the classes at IDESST.

— A. SCHUT

"The class is connecting me to my childhood, where Portuguese was spoken and how different generations of our family were able to gather and communicate.

— J. BOCK