WORKING Portuguese™ provides insight into the Brazilian business world and equips participants with a solid ability to communicate orally in Portuguese in the everyday work world wherever Portuguese is spoken.
The course is geared towards UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA students. However, BSBA students, UNC faculty and staff, and others may be given permission by the instructor to enroll.
Course Components and Credit
The classes are offered at the beginner level: Part A in the fall and Part B in the spring. Students enrolled in the spring class participate in a language immersion to Brazil or Portugal during the Kenan-Flagler spring break.
The fall class carries 2.5 credits; the spring class carries 4.0 credits. Students must participate in the immersion to receive credit for the spring course.
Students not enrolled in Part A who are interested in taking part B only may do with approval from the instructor. Students taking Working Portuguese receive grades of H (high pass), P (pass), L (low pass) and F (fail).
Generally, students must complete the semester-long Part A or Part B or both to receive credit for the course. However, under certain circumstances participation in the immersion may be waived for individual students, such as those who are also participating in an exchange or a Global Business Project in Brazil. Students should discuss their circumstances with the instructor at the beginning of the course.
In-Country Immersion
The in-country immersion is held in Brazil or Portugal during Kenan-Flalger’s spring break and usually lasts 10 days.
The immersion gives WORKING Portuguese participants a chance to practice what they have learned in context. Classroom sessions and debriefs are given daily to orient the students on their activities around town, provide information and discuss business-related topics.
During the immersion, participants are given a “Mission (Im)possible" – a series of tasks to accomplish individually or in small groups around town on their own and on organized excursions. The immersion also includes company visits, sight-seeing and a community service activity.
Previous WORKING Portuguese immersions included stops in Sao Paolo, Curitiba or Rio.
Course Materials
The course textbook, WORKING Portuguese (Georgetown University Press), was written by UNC instructor Dr. Monica Rector and UNC Kenan-Flagler’s Dr. Lynne Gerber.
Students also make extensive use of an Internet classroom.
Technology Requirements
- IBM compatible or Apple computer with built-in capacity to play MP3 files
- Internet access (MAC operating system 10.2 or better, Internet Explorer 5.2 or better or Netscape 4.78 or better.
- Speakers
- A microphone (built in or attached)
Course Fees for MBA Students
- Instructional fees: covered by tuition
- Activity Fee: $90 nonrefundable fee for special course activities is due at the beginning of each semester plus a $25 registration fee paid directly to Quia.com, the online site that hosts assignments and weekly deliverables
- Textbook: Students are required to purchase their own textbook prior to the first in-person workshop. Textbooks are available through UNC bookstore or Amazon.com
- Immersion fees (not including airfare) are approximately $2,500 (subject to change)
Enrollment and Course Fees for Others
- Enrollment: UNC faculty/staff, spouses, and others may be allowed to enroll on a space-available basis. Contact Maria Elena Rodriguez at or Debbie Williams at for information.
- Course fee: $300 per semester (includes a $90 nonrefundable amount allocated to special course activities)
- Online course access fee: $25 paid directly to register in Quia.com, the online site that hosts written assignments and weekly deliverables
- Textbook: Course participants as well as students are required to purchase their own textbook, prior to the first in-person workshop. Books are available through UNC bookstore or Amazon.com
- Immersion fees (not including airfare) approximately $2,500 (subject to change)