João Pessoa's Celest language center receives 3,418 applications for free courses

The Centro Escolar Municipal de Línguas Estrangeiras (Celest) in João Pessoa opened online registrations on July 18 for its second‑semester free language courses. The response was 3,418 applicants for 1,025 free slots in English, Spanish, French, German and Brazilian Sign Language (Libras). Initially, 550 spots are reserved for adults—general public, municipal employees and teachers—at the main campus on Avenida Epitácio Pessoa, with an additional 100 places at the new Celest Sul unit housed in the Cemapi building. For municipal school students in grades 6‑9, 375 seats are available for English and Spanish classes held on‑site from July 23‑29. Applicants are selected in order of registration; the approved list will be published on July 20.

Separately, the Federal University of Tocantins (UFT) announced 355 free online spots for English and French courses as part of an extension program, open to the university community and the public. The Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF) also opened enrollment for a free Russian language course, offering 105 in‑person seats across three evening or daytime sections from August 17 to October 30. Both initiatives aim to broaden language access and support professional development.

All programs are tuition‑free, require standard identification documents, and are intended to increase linguistic inclusion in Brazil.