We believe that a language program must be complemented with a wide range of social and cultural activities not only to allow students to use and practice the Portuguese language but also to maximize student exposure to Brazilian and Portuguese culture.
Our school has an active and exciting social program. Included are visits to theatres, concerts, restaurants, beaches as well as other events such as national festivals, sporting events and dance clubs.
Fast Forward Language Institute arranges these activities at least twice a week.
Among the most popular activities are:
Maceió São Paulo
Maceió
Marechal Deodoro
Founded in 1522, Marechal has the largest collection of sacred and religious art in the state. The city is famous for its baroque-style colonial homes from the 16th Century and for its strong musical tradition.
Praia do Gunga
On the way, we visit a look-out point with an impressive view of the coastline, sugarcane fields, palm tree plantations and the point where Roteiro Lake meets the ocean. After this stop, we arrive at Gunga Beach, chosen by tourism magazines as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in Brazil.
Massagueira
One of the main gastronomic centers of the Northeast, Massagueira has the largest quantity and diversity of restaurants in the state. After the beach we go to this little town to experience their delicious cuisine, situated in a beautiful setting at the edge of a lake.
Futebol (I) (soccer)
The Rei Pelé stadium is the largest in the state, with a capacity of 27,000. Every year, the stadium holds several major soccer events, such as the Champions’ Cup (Copa dos Campeões) and the Brazilian Championship (Campeonato Brasileiro).
Futebol (II)
A friendly game of soccer in the evening, with students playing against staff. This recreational activity almost takes on the intensity of the World Cup finals!
In addition to making new friends and getting a good workout, we learn sports vocabulary and idiomatic expressions.
After the match, we normally go to a bar to chat, drink some beers and most importantly relax and have a few laughs.
Museu Théo Brandão (Théo Brandão Museum)
Constructed during the first decades of the 19th century, the building now operating as the Théo Brandão Museum is one of the most fascinating in Maceió.
Almost destroyed by the effects of time, the building was renovated and today holds a large collection of objects representing the culture and folklore of the Northeast, primarily Alagoas.
Passeio pela lagoa de Mundaú (Lagoon Tour)
The name Alagoas is due in large part to the lagoons found in the area. Once a month we make a trip to Mundaú Lagoon, the largest of the state. During this tour, the students learn about the flora and fauna from specialized local instructors.
Gastronomia (Gastronomy)
Brazilian cooking is a multiracial fusion of tastes. Because of its tropical character, large amounts of sun and good soil, Brazil has a phenomenal variety of fruits and vegetables.
Each student will become familiar with several types of Brazilian cooking as we go each week to typical restaurants from the different regions of the country.
Passeio de Trem (Train Ride/Tour)
Once a month, we spend the afternoon on the train. Leaving from the central station, we pass by 9 districts and 3 towns outside of Maceió before arriving at the final stop.
The entire trip is about 28 km long, with half of it running alongside the Mundaú Lake, giving the students the possibility to see the life of people living outside the city.
Brazilian Rhythms and Dances
The variety in Brazilian dance culture shows the large cultural diversity inherent in this country. In Maceió you will find classes, dance bars and clubs with everything from samba to forró to classical ballet.
Fast Forward Language Institute’s dance program offers classes in Samba, Forró, and Rítmos Variados, offered back-to-back each afternoon. Thus, you may choose to do one, two or all three depending on your interests.
As with the morning language classes, either group or individual dance classes are available.
Maceió’s nightlife is another essential component of our dance program. Encountering various Brazilian dance styles is just a question of walking around town and hopping from clubs and bars.
Fast Forward Language Institute organizes excursions to several typical dance bars and large concerts. The contacts you make in dance classes themselves will also lead the way to firsthand experiences in the dancing culture of Brazil.
Sao Paulo
Mercado Municipal
The Municipal Market is one of the largest distribution centers for fruits, vegetables, fish and all sorts of local and imported goods. We will lunch on traditional mortadela sandwiches or the market’s famous fried pastries.
Rua Vinte e Cinco de Março
Rua 25 de março is one of the most traditional commercial streets in São Paulo, lined with clothing, wares, knickknacks and trinkets galore, of all types and all prices.
Centro de Tradições Nordestinas
The Center for Northeastern Traditions brings the Northeastern community together on weekends with regional music attractions, rustic restaurants serving the best Northeastern food, and bars named after every Northeastern state.
Embu das Artes
Embu das Artes is an artists’ community locates outside Sao Paulo. Since 1950, local and outside artists have made Embu their home, and offer an exciting market. Additionally, this city has a rare natural beauty between the municipalities and the metropolitan region of São Paulo.
Bairro da Liberdade
São Paulo has the largest number of Japanese living outside of Japan. The Liberdade neighborhood is the most Asian influenced section of São Paulo, and the traditional home of its Japanese population.
MAM – Museu de Arte Moderna
The Modern Art Museum of São Paulo was founded in 1948. Situated in the Parque Ibirapuera, it is composed of two exposition rooms that present Brazilian and international, modern and contemporary art. The museum’s permanent collection, composed of about 3,700 works of modern and contemporary art, is also found in this building.
MASP – Museu de Arte de São Paulo
The Sao Paulo Museum of Art was inaugurated on October 2, 1947. The MASP collections are varied and include works from diverse artists such as Rubens, Picasso, Degas, Warhol, Dali, Botticelli, and Portinari.
Museu do Ipiranga
This museum, which opened in 1895, shows furniture, weaponry, domestic utensils, photographs, ceramics/dishes and historic paintings from the independence era of Brazil.
Terraço Itália
This is the tallest building in the city, at 165 meters high, with 46 stories. It was built in the early 60's and inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II. On the 46th floor there is a restaurant, called the 'Terraço Itália', from where it is possible to see all of São Paulo.
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