CIAL Faro

About the center

Portuguese Courses in Faro

Our school in the Algarve is located in the heart of Faro, the capital city. The building is situated next to the municipal market, just a short walk from the city’s main attractions.

The school occupies the first floor of a cozy building in central Faro, right next to the market square. We have 6 classrooms equipped with TVs and audio/video equipment. Additionally, there is a computer room with internet-connected computers. Of course, the school offers free Wi-Fi throughout the building.

Students can use the kitchen to prepare or heat their meals, and we also have vending machines for coffee and tea. For relaxation between classes, there is a garden/patio on the ground floor, where you can unwind and make friends with classmates from around the world. The school is also surrounded by a variety of cafés, restaurants, and shops.

Our teachers are highly qualified and dedicated to teaching with passion and enthusiasm. This commitment results in extremely high student satisfaction. With over 30 years of experience, our school is undoubtedly the best in the area. We offer the most comprehensive Portuguese courses in Faro.

Join us today!

Our courses

We look forward to welcoming you to CIAL. It will be an unforgettable experience of cultural immersion and fun learning while meeting people from all over the world.

Standard course in the morning, followed by 2 lessons in the afternoon per day, with different dynamics. These will include conversation, vocabulary exercises, grammar practice, presentations, role plays, etc.

Daily classes will finish in time for students to join the free social activities in the afternoon.

Multinational groups with students from all over the world.

The workshop lessons allow you to continue practicing, conversing, and clarifying any topics covered in the morning lessons.

Accommodation

Accommodation is an important part of most students' stay. The carefully selected accommodation options by CIAL will be your home away from home. We offer different options suitable for all types of students.

Homestay Accommodation

Living in a Portuguese home will help students become familiar with the language. Students are placed in single rooms and will be the only native speakers of their language in the house. The host can be a family or an individual.

The homes that host CIAL students are located in the area around the schools, many within walking distance. If students need to use public transportation (bus or metro), it will never take more than 20 minutes.

Homestay accommodation does not include the use of the kitchen or laundry services.

Breakfast included
Weekly cleaning and linen change (bed and towels)

Shared Apartment

In our shared apartments in Lisbon and Faro, students can choose between single or shared rooms and enjoy a more independent living arrangement, ideal for longer stays, but also suitable for shorter stays.

The apartments are fully equipped, with cable TV and Wi-Fi. The bathroom, kitchen, and living room are shared with other CIAL students.

Weekly cleaning and linen change (bed and towels)
Students will also be required to pay a €100 security deposit on the first day, in cash, which will be refunded upon check-out if no damage occurs.

Accommodation Fee: €40

Tipo de alojamiento	1 sem.	2 sem.	3 sem.	4 sem.
HomeStay	200€	400€	600€	800€
Shared apartments	215€	430€	645€	860€

Why choose our accommodation?

Attendance and additional support

When staying with us, you will have the support and assistance of the school staff. We search for the best accommodation that suits your needs.

Connections

Sharing an apartment with other students will help you connect and integrate better into the school. And if it's with a host family, your language immersion will be complete."

Comfortable journeys

The accommodations are carefully selected to ensure the most comfortable, safe, and reliable journey to the school.

Prices

Curso	1 sem.	2 sem.	3 sem.	4 sem.
Curso Standard	299€	598€	897€	1.040€

Holidays

In 2025 (including national and regional bank holidays):
01 Jan 2025, 18 Apr 2025, 01 May 2025, 10 Jun 2025, 15 Aug 2025, 01 Dec 2025, 25 Dec 2025.

School policy regarding bank holidays:

Private classes are recuperated or refunded. Same as for nearly all language schools, group classes falling on bank holiday are not refunded and not recuperated.

Facilities and services

Founded in 1959, CIAL has been organizing Portuguese Language Courses for over 40 years, being the first language school in Portugal to offer courses year-round at all levels. Since the early 1970s, we have had the privilege of welcoming thousands of students to our schools, and we continue to work today to ensure that CIAL maintains its international reputation as a high-quality and hospitable language school.

Facilities for students:

Microwave for student use
Fridge for student use
Library
Free access, outside class hours, to language learning software
Screening room
Garden
Rooftop terrace
Balcony/terrace
Student support service
Photocopier
Free water dispenser
Free Wi-Fi
Tourist information
Assistance with restaurant, bar, and nightclub bookings
Help with organizing transport

Classroom equipment:

TV in some classrooms
Air conditioning in all classrooms
Heating in all classrooms
Abundant natural light in all classrooms
Number of classrooms: 6
Number of public computers: 2

Activities

One of the main features of CIAL is the monthly social activities program, which includes movie screenings and lectures at the school, guided tours to museums and monuments, night outings to bars, typical dinners, and half-day visits on Saturdays to points of interest, giving students a true taste of Portuguese life and culture.

CIAL Faro organizes 3 different activities every week. These are included in the course fee and are subject to a minimum number of participants. Dinners have an additional cost, which is paid locally.