Portuguese Language Courses contribute to full integration of immigrants, says Regional Director for Communities
The Regional Director for Communities stressed in Ponta Delgada the importance of Portuguese language courses for immigrants as a determining factor in the "full integration of all those who, not being born in the Azores, chose the islands as their new home."
"It is essential to acquire the language skills of the host society in migratory processes insofar as it contributes to a greater and effective relation with the community in which they reside," said Paulo Teves. He spoke Tuesday at the delivery session of the diplomas of the Portuguese Course for Immigrants, an initiative promoted by the Migrant Support Office of CRESAÇOR - Regional Cooperative for Solidarity Economy.
For the Regional Director, the organisation of these courses falls within the Regional Government's policy for the integration of immigrants and their effective participation in Azorean civic life, while promoting interculturality.
"With the acquisition of Portuguese language skills and the dynamics established here, we now want to preserve and disseminate the cultural specificities of your countries," said Paulo Teves. In this regard, he challenged trainees for this mission, stressing that "the existing cultural offer will be diversified and enriched with the cultural aspects of their countries of origin."
The fifth edition of the Portuguese Language Course for Immigrants was attended by about 20 students from 14 nationalities: German, Angolan, Czech, Chinese, Spanish, French, Guinean, Indian, English, Iranian, Irish, Italian, Moroccan and Venezuelan. It took place after working hours and had a duration of 150 hours.
The Regional Director emphasised that this and other initiatives are developed in collaboration with various institutions with the aim of minimising the barriers that might be raised throughout the integration process of immigrants. These goals are achieved with the permanent contact and information sharing between various support services.
In this context, he announced that registrations are open for the sixth edition of the Portuguese Language Course for Immigrants, which must be submitted until March 31 by public and private entities as well as by public school in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
These courses have been attended by more than two hundred immigrants on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Faial, Pico and Flores.
The initiative is organised by the Regional Directorates for Communities and Education and regulated by Ordinance no. 56/2014. The successful approval of the course allows immigrants to comply with the requirements for the acquisition of nationality, permanent residence or the authorisation for long-term residence in regard to the assessment Portuguese Language tests.
For further information on the Portuguese Language Course for Immigrants and the respective application form, those who are interested should consult the Regional Directorate for Communities page on the Regional Government Portal at www.azores.gov.pt/Portal/pt/entidades/srapre-drcomunidades.