Launching this September in Querença (Loulé), Algarve, Spoken invites international residents to improve their Portuguese through real conversations, local culture and everyday life in the inland Algarve.
Many international residents reach a familiar point with Portuguese: they understand quite a lot and manage everyday situations, yet still find themselves switching back to English when conversations become faster, less predictable or simply more real.
Algarve, Spoken: Learn Portuguese through Local Life was created for that gap. The new 52-hour cultural and language programme takes learning beyond the conventional classroom, making the people, places and everyday life of the inland Algarve part of the learning experience.
Across 13 sessions and six connected modules, participants will practise Portuguese over coffee in Querença, explore biodiversity at Fonte Benémola, cook with regional ingredients, work alongside local craftspeople and take part in experiences linked to agriculture and the medronho harvest.
The idea is simple: speaking becomes easier when there is something real to talk about.
The inaugural edition is deliberately limited to eight participants, giving everyone more time to speak, ask questions and receive individual support while creating a relaxed and sociable learning environment.
Although individual modules can be booked separately, Algarve, Spoken has been designed as a complete journey, with each stage building on the last. It culminates in a collaborative Guide to Querença, created by the group in Portuguese and drawing on the places, stories and knowledge they encounter along the way.
Algarve, Spoken was developed by Susana Silva in collaboration with QRER, bringing together her experience in teaching Portuguese to international residents with QRER's long-standing work with communities across the inland Algarve. A psychologist and certified trainer with more than 15 years' experience in adult education, Susana has been teaching Portuguese to international residents since 2023. Her background in community work, agriculture and crafts also helped shape the programme's practical approach.
The first edition runs from 25 September to 18 December 2026, with further editions planned. Registration is now open for the inaugural group.
Participation in the full 52-hour programme is €480, covering face-to-face learning, guided cultural activities, materials, entry fees where applicable and activities with local partners. Individual modules can also be booked for €80 each, subject to availability.
Information and registration: convite.qrer.pt
Programme at a glance
13 sessions | 52 hours | Fridays, 09:30 to 13:30.
Module 1: Querença & Conversation (25 September and 2 October) - Discovering Querença through its history, architecture and oral traditions, while practising Portuguese in real settings around the village.
Module 2: Water & Biodiversity (9 and 16 October) - Exploring the landscape, plants and waterways of the Algarve Barrocal, including activities at Fonte Benémola.
Module 3: Almond, Fig & Carob (23 and 30 October) - Exploring the Algarve’s food traditions through local ingredients, recipes and hands-on activities.
Module 4: Materials & Crafts (6, 13 and 20 November) - Working with cork, cane, rushes and traditional skills alongside local craftspeople, including a hands-on cane mat workshop.
Module 5: Medronho (27 November and 4 December, 8 hours) - Discovering one of the inland Algarve’s traditional winter harvests, from picking the fruit to visiting a local distillery.
Module 6: Creating the Guide to Querença (11 and 18 December) - Bringing the journey together in a collaborative guide, created by the group in Portuguese from the places, stories and knowledge encountered throughout the programme.
About QRER
QRER - Cooperativa para o Desenvolvimento dos Territórios de Baixa Densidade is based in Querença and works to support the social, cultural and economic life of the inland Algarve through local projects, heritage, entrepreneurship and community involvement.
Algarve, Spoken is part of Convite ao Interior, QRER's programme of cultural, nature-based and heritage activities that brings people closer to the landscapes, traditions and communities of the inland Algarve. Convite ao Interior is supported by Loulé Municipal Council's Programa de Apoio ao Movimento Associativo Cultural e Recreativo.
W: www.qrer.pt
