Members of the Portuguese community uncertain about their futures in Bermuda are preparing for the possibility of having to return to the Azores by learning Portuguese.

Marco Lima, a new language teacher at the Portuguese Cultural Association, only arrived on the Island three weeks ago, but already has 70 children in his classes.

He is about to start adult classes for anyone interested in learning.

The 24-year-old, who is a qualified teacher who recently worked in San Miguel in the Azores, said he had been inundated with people interested in getting their children familiar with the language.

He said: "Parents want their children to speak the language. With the immigration laws and changes, they feel they might have to go back to Portugal any time, so they are trying to get prepared. The classes are very popular. I have seven different groups, but I think what surprised me more was the number of little ones coming to the classes.

"I would say about 40 percent of the students are six-year-olds.

"I teach the children how to talk and write Portuguese. Some of them have some background and are able to speak and write, but some people can't.

"I'm enjoying being on the Island very much and I really like working at the Association."

Mr. Lima's lessons are not the first at the Association in Laffan Street, but the centre has been without a teacher for about a year.

He said people were asking when the lessons would begin again.

The children do two 90-minute lessons every week for a year at a cost of $200 per student.

The youngsters' classes are held between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday, but Mr. Lima said he was looking at the possibility of creating new classes where necessary, especially for the adults.

Spokesman for the Coalition on Long-term Residents Robert Pires, who has fought for the rights of long-term residents in Bermuda, said he was not surprised that people wanted to learn Portuguese.

He said Bermuda should make the language part of the curriculum, especially as so many people of Portuguese descent lived here.

He said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to hear this teacher is on the Island. This is something I have really been agonising about. I have tried to get something going at the Bermuda College because these people have no hope here in the situation, as it is.

"It's very important in these circumstances that these kids learn to speak the language well, as well as adults.

"There are people who have been here 20 and 30 years who may have to go home and who have no rights here.

"If they have to go home, they may be able to get a job in their profession here, but may have difficulty in Portugal because their level of understanding of the language is that of a six-year-old.

"It's very important for these kids to get Portuguese training. I can't tell you how happy I am that this man is here. It's wonderful news."

Mr. Pires said he also believed many people on the Island, both Portuguese and otherwise, wanted to learn the language.

He said he could not understand why Portuguese was not taught in school when it is in greater use across the globe than many other languages, including, German, Spanish and French.

He said he was doing a night course in the language at Spice Valley Middle School and said three quarters of the class was black Bermudian.

He added: "It's not just the Portuguese who want to learn. There is a real need and demand for Portuguese lessons on the Island, and I strongly believe it should be in the curriculum.

"Bermuda College is going to do a course now, but it's not a course for credit. The college needs to take it more seriously."

For more information about the lessons, call Mr. Lima on 292-6418.