Promoting the Portuguese language

It is worth recalling that within the scope of Portugal’s foreign policy and action, promoting the Portuguese language around the world is one of the seven vectors of the country’s international diplomatic action.

There is thus a logical continuity in Portugal’s external action, and where cultural policy abroad is concerned a number of broad lines are involved. These include, in partnership with the other member states of the CPLP, developing a strategy for the enhancement and use of Portuguese as a language of international communication.

Using other types of action, it also seeks to extend the means of introducing and guaranteeing the teaching of Portuguese in the curricula of countries which are host to the Portuguese diaspora, from basic schooling to university level. Intensive use of new information and communications technologies is also a target, to foster the learning of Portuguese as a foreign language.

Mention must be made here of the importance of concerted action at interministerial level, which brings in institutions and bodies from both public and private sectors. In this respect the Camões Institute plays a fundamental role in enhancing promotion of the Portuguese language at a wide range of levels. Language teaching using virtual methods, as is the case of the Escola Virtual, remains an essential lever in making the Portuguese language available to the general public, principally in countries other than Portugal and whether as a member of the diaspora or as a citizen of the host country, who rely on this as a form of education which will permit them to enhance their career prospects.