Talk to an Academic Advisor in Brazil: Portuguese for Study-Plan Questions — Practice
A guided practice lesson with English explanations, Brazilian Portuguese examples, and answers you can check. Read the examples, recall the meaning, then say a version of your own.
Explain what you want to plan
An academic advisor may be called orientador, orientadora, or another title set by the institution. Start by saying which program you are in and what you hope to clarify: choosing courses, understanding your record, or planning a project. The advisor can direct you to another office for questions outside their role.
Use gostaria de conversar sobre… (I would like to talk about…) to introduce the topic. Bring the course list or message if your question concerns a specific requirement.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Gostaria de conversar sobre meu plano de estudos para o próximo semestre. | I would like to talk about my study plan for next semester. |
| Estou no primeiro ano de Relações Internacionais. | I am in the first year of International Relations. |
Ask how completed courses affect your plan
If you are unsure whether a class counts toward a requirement, ask who can confirm it and which record they need. Transfer and exchange students should ask about the applicable credit-evaluation process instead of assuming that similar course titles are equivalent.
Use isso conta como…? (does this count as…?) as a first question, then ask where to find the official rule if it affects enrollment.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Esta disciplina conta como optativa no meu curso? | Does this course count as an elective in my program? |
| Onde confirmo se os créditos foram registrados? | Where can I confirm whether the credits were recorded? |
Leave with a clear next step
Summarize what you understood and ask whether you should contact another department. Record the office, form, or date the advisor mentions. Degree plans and requirements are institution-specific, so use official written guidance when making a decision.
A short recap gives the advisor a chance to correct any misunderstanding before you act.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Então, primeiro devo falar com a coordenação do curso? | So, should I speak with the program office first? |
| Você poderia indicar onde encontro essa regra por escrito? | Could you point me to where I can find that rule in writing? |
Remember: State your program and goal, ask who can confirm each requirement, and leave with an official next step.
Check your understanding
Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.
Recall the Portuguese, then say it
Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.
I would like to talk about my study plan for next semester.
Show a Portuguese answer
Gostaria de conversar sobre meu plano de estudos para o próximo semestre.
I am in the first year of International Relations.
Show a Portuguese answer
Estou no primeiro ano de Relações Internacionais.
Does this course count as an elective in my program?
Show a Portuguese answer
Esta disciplina conta como optativa no meu curso?
Where can I confirm whether the credits were recorded?
Show a Portuguese answer
Onde confirmo se os créditos foram registrados?
So, should I speak with the program office first?
Show a Portuguese answer
Então, primeiro devo falar com a coordenação do curso?
Could you point me to where I can find that rule in writing?
Show a Portuguese answer
Você poderia indicar onde encontro essa regra por escrito?
Make the phrase useful to you
Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.
State your program and goal, ask who can confirm each requirement, and leave with an official next step.
Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.
Sources and your next lesson
This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Talk to an Academic Advisor in Brazil: Portuguese for Study-Plan Questions lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.
To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.
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