Paulo Estêvão chaired opening of Portuguese as Host Language Course
Ponta Delgada
Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades
The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, chaired the opening session of the 14th edition of Portuguese Courses for Non-Native Speakers, now redesignated Portuguese as a Host Language Courses, held on Wednesday in Ponta Delgada.
During the session, the government official emphasised that learning the language is the first and most decisive step towards full integration into Azorean society, giving immigrants not only access to the labour market but also the opportunity to fulfil their rights as citizens.
"Welcome to the Azores. I promise to meet with you again at the end of the course to discuss this experience together," the government official stated, speaking at the premises of CRESAÇOR, a partner organisation.
On that occasion, the government official also announced an increase in instructors' hourly pay from €19 to €25, "a rate that had not been updated for many years."
Paulo Estêvão further committed to the goal of launching additional courses in this area, ensuring a response to "all those who have chosen to live in the Azores, and who feel the urge and need to learn the Portuguese language."
Since the programme began in 2013, a total of 525 students from 58 countries have completed this training.
The most recent data, covering 2025, reveal an increasingly skilled immigration profile: among the nearly 100 trainees enrolled, 60% hold higher education qualifications and are already integrated into the labour market.
The majority of trainees continue to be from Eastern Europe and North America, confirming the Region's ability to attract and retain qualified personnel.
Last year, five courses funded by the Regional Directorate for the Communities were held on the islands of São Miguel (three), Terceira (one) and Faial (one).
The programme will be expanded in 2026. Although applications for promoters are open until March 31, six courses are already planned: four in São Miguel (promoted by CRESAÇOR), one in Terceira (promoted by AIPA) and one in Faial (promoted by Horta City Council).
Each course has a limit of 20 trainees to ensure close supervision and high-quality teaching. The course attended by Paulo Estêvão at its launch includes citizens from Nepal, Slovenia, Australia, Ukraine, Russia and Colombia.
