On-site course

Job Shadowing

Experience an inside view of modern and successful learning environments
Job Shadowing

Gain fresh insights and explore new ways of working, preparing, implementing, and learning. Develop new abilities and skills you can bring into your classes. Discover different school management strategies and grow your European network. Visit Portuguese model schools at various educational levels and get to know the Portuguese education system. Learn how Portugal has achieved growth in the PISA reports.

Main contents

  • The Portuguese Educational System
  • The Portuguese Educational Curriculum and grading
  • National Exams and Higher Education Access: how students are prepared and how they perform
  • Meetings with other professionals in your field (teachers or staff)
  • Insights into classroom strategies and participation in other teachers’ classes (with the option to choose a subject of interest)
  • Observation and attendance of lessons using ICT tools and resources
  • Visits to other schools and companies
  • Participation in any seminars taking place during the week

* The course is held in the English language. An English A2 (CEFR) level is recommended, but trainers are experienced in helping students with English language difficulties.

* El curso se imparte en lengua inglesa. Se recomienda un nivel de inglés A2 (MCER), aunque los formadores tienen experiencia en ayudar a los estudiantes con dificultades en el idioma. Además, podemos ofrecer apoyo en español si es necesario.

Course program

Day 1
  • Course and participant introductions
  • Meeting with the School Director
  • Coffee break
  • School presentation and administrative preparations
  • Lunch
  • Overview of the Portuguese education system: curriculum, grading and national exams
  • Exploring the educational pathways of the host city with GPS-guided apps
Day 2
  • Lesson observation (participant’s subject)
  • Meeting with teachers
  • Coffee break
  • Lesson observation (participant’s subject)
  • Meeting with teachers
  • Lunch
  • Collaborative work with teachers: subject lesson preparation
  • Coffee break
  • Collaborative work with teachers: subject lesson preparation (cont.)
Day 3
  • Lesson observation (participant’s subject)
  • Coffee break
  • Lesson observation (any subject)
  • Lunch
  • Meeting with job shadowing organisers
  • Coffee break
  • Observation of school organization and administrative services
Day 4
  • Visits to schools of other educational levels: observing infrastructure, resources and attending lessons
  • Interaction with teachers
  • Lunch
  • Hands-on experience with the most common educational apps used in Portuguese schools
Day 5
  • School board shadowing
  • Coffee break
  • Course evaluation
  • Certification
  • Lunch
  • Cultural visit
    • Loulé, Algarve — boat excursion through the Ria Formosa Natural Park, exploring its sand islands and unique coastal ecosystem

 

 

Note: The course program can be changed according to participant's profile, local holidays or on the availability of schools to visit.

 

Target group

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Course methodology
  • Brief introduction to Portuguese education, curriculum, grading and national exam systems;
  • Participants attend and participate in lessons of chosen subject;
  • Participants observe lessons: teaching, studying and learning processes in classrooms in small groups or individually.
  • Individually or in groups, participants prepare lessons, using ICT tools or traditional resources;
  • Participants share experiences and best practices with school board.
 

Course fees

Course fee: 380,00€ per participant (click for detail)

The course fee is 380€.

Cultural visits and meals are paid separately.

Algarve cultural visit has the cost of 50€. Participants not willing to join the cultural visit must notify ACJI 15 days before course starts.

 

Certification

All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation and a Declaration of Obtained Competencies, officially recognizing the skills gained during the course.

The acquired competences will also be validated within the Europass Mobility framework — participants should request that their National Agency issue the Europass. 
Our courses are aligned with the European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators (DigCompEdu), and the provided documentation that can support the recognition.

 

Accommodation and Meals

Participants are responsible for booking their own accommodation. ACJ will guide recommended hotels across different price ranges, but participants are free to choose hotels and restaurants according to their preference. Our staff enjoy lunch daily at a nearby restaurant offering good quality at affordable prices — you are welcome to join them!

All accommodation and meals are paid directly by participants to the hotels and restaurants.

During the Job Shadowing, lunches and coffee will also be available at the School or near the School, where the Job Shadowing takes place.

 

Planned course editions
  • 2026-02-02 to 2026-02-06, Loule, Algarve, Portugal (Confirmed)
  • 2026-01-19 to 2026-01-23, Loule, Algarve, Portugal (Confirmed)
  • 2026-04-27 to 2026-05-01, Loulé, Algarve, Portugal (Confirmed)
  • 2026-10-12 to 2026-10-16, Loulé, Algarve, Portugal (Confirmed)
  • 2026-11-16 to 2026-11-20, Loulé, Algarve, Portugal (Confirmed)
  • 2027-01-18 to 2027-01-22, Loulé, Algarve, Portugal (Opened)
  • 2027-02-01 to 2027-02-05, Loulé, Algarve, Portugal (Opened)
  • 2027-05-03 to 2027-05-07, Loulé, Algarve, Portugal (Opened)
  • 2027-10-18 to 2027-10-22, Loulé, Algarve, Portugal (Opened)
  • 2027-11-15 to 2027-11-19, Loulé, Algarve, Portugal (Opened)
  • 2028-01-17 to 2028-01-21, Loulé, Algarve, Portugal (Opened)
  • 2028-02-07 to 2028-02-11, Loulé, Algarve, Portugal (Opened)
  • 2028-05-08 to 2028-05-12, Loulé, Algarve, Portugal (Opened)
  • 2028-10-16 to 2028-10-20, Loulé, Algarve, Portugal (Opened)
  • 2028-11-13 to 2028-11-17, Loulé, Algarve, Portugal (Opened)