A new club is in the works at Benilde-St. Margaret’s: Portuguese club. Led by Spanish teacher Tim Frye, this club hopes to help students interested in Portuguese and its rich culture.

Frye is a Benilde-St. Margaret’s Spanish teacher. He has an extensive background in Spanish which he says helps someone learn Portuguese. He learned at the University of Minnesota where they have a course called Portuguese for Spanish speakers, he also learned by writing Haiku and short stories/poems. “A lot of Spanish speaking readers can pick up Portuguese and get a very good idea of what, you know what’s being written,” Frye said.

Though the club is still in the works, its members are getting ready. Frye hopes to study a variety of subjects with the club including Brazilian films, Portuguese literature/art and reading news and politics. “I’m really excited for me, Francesca and Mr. Frye to start the Portuguese club. It will be a great opportunity to learn more about the rich culture of Portugal,” future member Caio Stephens said.

Portuguese is the official language of nine countries, and Frye believes that the transition from Spanish to Portuguese is easier than English to Spanish. Frye thinks that knowing another language is a valuable attribute to have for college. He thinks anyone that wants to pursue a Master’s or PhD should join up, because a third language is required for one of these degrees. “…in college, it’d be common for you to have to take a second language right or a third language so it might be nice for you in college to say, ‘Okay, I’ll finish my Spanish requirement and then also take some Portuguese as well,’” Frye said.

The club is still in the planning stages, but they hope to have the club started by October. Frye encourages anyone interested in joining to reach out to him via email. “If anyone is just interested in Brazil or interested in Portugal or interested in Portuguese speaking…we’re the group for you,” Frye said.