In Brazil, the exam is a requirement for international students to enter undergraduate and graduate courses
For the first time, the State University of Maringá (Universidade Estadual de Maringá - UEM) will host the exam to obtain the Certificate of Proficiency in Portuguese Language for Foreigners (Certificado de Proficiência em Língua Portuguesa para Estrangeiros - Celpe-Bras). Celpe-Bras is developed and awarded by the Ministry of Education (Ministério da Educação - MEC) and is held twice a year around the world, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministério das Relações Exteriores - MRE). This officially recognized certificate is the only one in Brazil that attests to proficiency in Portuguese as a foreign language, accepted internationally by companies and educational institutions as proof of competence in the language. In Brazil, it is commonly required for international students to enter university in undergraduate and graduate courses.
The Celpe-Bras exam evaluates oral and written communication skills in Brazilian Portuguese in several everyday situations. Four levels of proficiency are considered: Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, Advanced and Upper Advanced.
Tests will be held on April 23rd and 24th at the Languages Institute (Instituto de Línguas - ILG), located on UEM campus. The first day comprises a written test, focusing on the interpretation of different textual genres, while on the second day candidates will face an individual oral test. For this first edition, UEM has made 12 places available, and due to the high regional demand, it is planned to increase the number of places in the next edition in October.
For more information or questions about the exam, please contact the email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Portuguese classes are also offered to students
Portuguese classes for students in the Pre-Program for Undergraduate Students (Pré-Programa de Estudantes-Convênio de Graduação - Pre-PEC-G) have already started. This program aims to prepare students for their undergraduate studies by developing their competence in the Portuguese language and making it easier for them to adapt to the academic environment. Next classes will open next semester, with dates yet to be defined.
In 2024, the State University of Maringá (UEM) launched this course through the Portuguese as an Additional Language program (Português como Língua Adicional - PLA), with support from the International Cooperation Office (Escritório de Cooperação Internacional - ECI) and the Student Integration Program (Programa de Integração Estudantil - Prointe). With this course, international students have the opportunity to prepare for the exam to obtain the Certificate of Proficiency in Portuguese Language for Foreigners (Celpe-Bras) and, subsequently, to enter the Undergraduate Student Program (Programa Estudante Convênio de Graduação - PEC-G) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE).
Students come from developing countries with which Brazil has educational and cultural agreements, mainly from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. At UEM, students from countries such as Cape Verde, Angola, Senegal, Paraguay, Jamaica, Nigeria, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Gabon and Benin are enrolled.
Translated by: Felipe Lisbôa