The Portuguese Cultural Association of Bermuda has formed a partnership that will see it join a global network of schools and centres for the promotion of Portuguese language and culture.

The partnership comes with the signing of a protocol of co-operation with Camões — the Institute of Co-operation and Language, IP.

Camões, IP is a public institute supervised by the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs whose mission is to propose and implement the Portuguese co-operation policy and the policy for teaching and disseminating the Portuguese language and culture abroad.

It comprises leading specialists in the Portuguese language, teaching and learning, providing pedagogical resources for all age groups, and connections to the Lusophone world.

The protocol between the two organisations is expected to last three years.

It aims to support the PCA in its delivery of teaching Portuguese to school-aged pupils and of teaching Portuguese as a foreign language to students of all ages.

The new partnership is to reinforce the association's commitment to teaching the Portuguese language in Bermuda and ensure that its programmes are delivered in line with global standards set by Camões, IP.

Becoming an affiliated centre will assist the association’s students through scientific, pedagogical and didactic support from Camões, IP, while its teacher will take part in continued professional development with expanded access to libraries and audiovisual content.

Richard Ambrosio, chairman of the association, said: “I am excited that the students and the teachers of the Portuguese Cultural Association will benefit from this exciting new relationship with Camões.

“Such an affiliation serves as a seal of quality for the programmes we offer and for the quality of instruction delivered. We look forward to developing our programmes even more over the three years of our protocol as we continue to strive to fulfil our mission to provide quality-level instruction in the Portuguese language in Bermuda.

“I also hope that the partnership can prove more fruitful in the broader promotion of Portuguese in our island home. “

Cátia Verguete, the director of Camões, IP in Britain and the Channel Islands, said: “It has been fascinating to learn about the longstanding relations between Portugal and Bermuda, about the Portuguese-speaking community and the growing interest in maintaining Portuguese language learning among the families.

“We are certain that this will be an extremely fruitful relationship both for Camões, IP and for the PCA.

“Here in London, we have rolled up our sleeves. We are eager to contribute our pedagogical resources and expertise, and to see this partnership grow.”

Anyone wishing to support the Portuguese Cultural Association of Bermuda may do so via its BNTB Bank Account, number 20006060707516100, under “Portuguese School of Bermuda”.

• Questions about the association’s school, its adult programme or making a contribution can be directed to info@portuguesebda.com