Ask a Professor About Research Supervision in Portuguese
A focused message connects your research question to the professor's work and asks about the department's next step.
Real Life Portuguese · 6 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Orientador or orientadora is a research or academic supervisor. Start with your program and a one-sentence topic, then name the question you hope to explore. An early idea can be provisional; label it as an initial question rather than a finished project.
Introduce your topic in a few lines
Mention how you learned about the professor's work and refer to one publication or topic accurately.
Estou desenvolvendo uma proposta de pesquisa sobre educação bilíngue.
I'm developing a research proposal about bilingual education.
Li seu artigo sobre políticas linguísticas e me interessei pelo tema.
I read your article about language policies and became interested in the topic.
Ask whether the research is a possible fit
Use teria disponibilidade (would you have availability) to ask about supervision without assuming the professor can take on another student. You can also ask whether the topic fits an existing research group.
Supervision depends on the program, department, and professor's workload. Ask for guidance on the process instead of treating one reply as an admission decision.
Você teria disponibilidade para conversar sobre uma possível orientação?
Would you be available to discuss possible supervision?
Esse tema se relaciona com algum grupo de pesquisa do departamento?
Does this topic connect with any research group in the department?
Offer a brief proposal and ask about next steps
Offer to send a one-page outline, CV, or writing sample if appropriate. Ask which document would help the professor assess fit and whether a short meeting is possible.
Keep the first email concise. If there is no response, follow the institution's process and allow a reasonable interval before one polite follow-up.
Posso enviar um resumo de uma página da proposta?
May I send a one-page summary of the proposal?
Há algum procedimento do programa que devo seguir primeiro?
Is there a program procedure I should follow first?
Put it into practice
Present one focused research question, ask about fit and availability, and confirm the program's formal steps.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “I read your article about language policies and became interested in the topic”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.