PLNM
Published 8 November 2026, 22:23
Português Língua Não Materna
A school subject and support for children whose native language is not Portuguese. There are three levels — Iniciação (A1, A2), Intermédio (B1, B2) and Avançado (C1) — plus a separate "zero" level for those who know no Portuguese at all. PLNM is a separate subject replacing regular Portuguese only at levels zero, A1, A2 and B1: a group is formed with at least 8 pupils (zero and A1) or 10 in a mixed group, and if a group cannot be formed, the child attends Portuguese lessons with their class and gets extra PLNM classes. In Year 9 these pupils can sit the prova final in PLNM instead of Portuguese, and in Year 12 the national PLNM exam (code 839).
Where you come across it. The first year at a Portuguese school, term marks, a talk with the teacher about moving up to regular Portuguese.
The PLNM mark appears on the school report like any other subject and replaces Portuguese. Exam 839 counts towards completing secondary school and opens the way to university, but does not count as an entrance exam where Portuguese itself (639) is required. Do not confuse it with Português Língua de Acolhimento (PLA), which is a set of courses for adults.