Accreditations & Awards

CIAL is the only school in Portugal that holds the major national and international accreditations and memberships available for language schools, which guarantee the quality of the teaching and services provided. To obtain these recognitions the school must comply with strict regulations relating to school premises and facilities, teacher qualifications, teaching quality, administration and welfare, and also pass the inspections/audits that these accreditations entail.

Portuguese Ministry of Education
Recognition issued in 1969 for the teaching of languages.

Instituto Camões
Instituto Camões is the official body responsible for the teaching of Portuguese worldwide.
From 2014 to 2020 Cial was granted the statute of Associated School, after a thorough inspection.
Since this accreditation scheme ended for schools teaching in Portugal, Cial is now a recommended school by Instituto Camões.

DGERT
Certified training centre since 1998.
DGERT is the national body responsible for professional training. The certification is granted after a documental audit, and validated periodically.

IALC – International Association of Language Centres
Founding member of the association in 1983.
Association of private, independent schools that teach the language(s) of the country. All schools are committed to the highest quality standards, must follow the IALC Code of Ethics (link) and go through a full audit every 4 years.

EAQUALS – Excellence in Language Education
Accredited Member since 2016.
Accredited Members have achieved high international standards and are committed to continuous improvement. All members must pass a comprehensive and rigorous quality assurance process, repeated every 4 years.

CSN Sweden
CIAL courses are eligible for Financial Aid for Study from the Swedish government.

Study Travel Magazine Star Awards
Winner in the category “World Language School” in 2015. CIAL was also nominated in this category in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2024. Study Travel Magazine is a leading business publication for the study abroad sector.

Bildungsurlaub Germany
CIAL courses are eligible for Bildungsurlaub (paid study leave), in most of the German states.

Student Testimonials.

What our students say. Testimonials from around the world!

Cial school is perfect if you want to surf and learn Portuguese.
Jillian Jaclyn Waechter
Switzerland
The course had a very good quality, very fast progress and the teacher answered all the students’ questions.
Johanna Behrens
Germany
Both of my teachers were not only highly qualified but also very nice and interesting. I would recommend the school and the teachers to friends and colleagues.
Anne-Marie Parent
Canada
The lessons were interesting, informative and well structured. I feel that I made good progress in a short time.
John Still
United Kingdom
I was very pleasantly surprised. Great teaching method. I was happy that the teacher spoke only Portuguese with the class.
Simon Einstein
Switzerland
Both of my teachers were not only highly qualified but also very nice and interesting. I would recommend the school and the teachers to friends and colleagues.
Anne-Marie Parent
Canada
Best language course I have ever taken. Hermínia is kind, generous, intense and an absolutely excellent teacher!
Mackenzie Cooly
United States
Very professional. Janaina is a great teacher. I also learned a lot during the outings and walks with Miguel.
Braden Reynolds
United States
Very good, I enjoyed the lessons with Madalena. I hope to come back and will recommend you to my friends. Thank you!
Ester Gutiérrez Ruiz
Colombia
Learning here was a lot of fun!! All teachers are great and very nice. Thank you!
Ruri Takahashi
Japan
It is always a pleasure to be back in CIAL!
José-António Femenía
Spain
I very much enjoyed the school, the classes and the experiences. I couldn’t ask for more: it was the best part of being here.
Zachary Stoebner
United States
I liked the way the professors were teaching and the students learn very actively. I came at zero level and now I am leaving knowing a lot of Portuguese.
Mildred Mbira
Kenya
I would definitely recommend CIAL and will return soon, I hope. You successfully mix learning with fun – which is so important.
Ian McKelvy
United Kingdom
The school has really helped me improve and dramatically increased my confidence to speak Portuguese.
Isabel Baldwin
United Kingdom
It is great, you can do sports in Lisbon, go surfing with Cial and join cultural activities.
Juan José Gonzalez
Colombia
I really like it that we are in small groups, there aren’t many people in each group. This is very good to learn, to be able to speak a lot and learn the language even better.
Nina Hochstrasser
Switzerland
There are people from all over the world, from many different nationalities.
Pedro Quintero Gonzalez
Colombia
Thank you CIAL for a wonderful experience! I made some of my best friends at CIAL and learnt a huge amount in a short time.
Ben Borowiecki
United Kingdom
There are very good teachers. Teaching is of a high level. I come back every year.
Christina Schoepe
Germany
EVERYONE is extremely professional and nice! They not only teach the Language, but also provide useful information about the cultural life in Lisbon.
Federica Zeppieri
Italy
Great language school, top professionals! I totally recommend it.
Valentina Zabolotniaia
Russian Federation
At Cial there is a good environment to learn Portuguese.
Daisuke Ishii
Japan
High quality on everything. Really good teachers overall. Highly Recommend!
Camilla Kinderlöv
Sweden
It was a very nice experience! Even in one week I got the basics. We talked a lot, which was good.
Janina Sild
Estonia
I really enjoyed everything and also want to thank the teachers for their help!
Maria Cristina Manitta
Italy
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