What is a Samba School

December 27, 2016

Hey guys!
Do you know what is a samba school? So, let’s find out!

What is a Samba School

A samba school is a group of dancers and musicians that dance and play samba. There are many samba schools around Brazil and here in Rio, the best ones compete against each other during Carnaval at Sapucaí.

Although the name is samba school, it’s not a place for you to learn how to dance samba. It has this name because the first samba schools used to do their rehearsals in a schoolyard. Here in Rio most of the samba schools have the acronym G.R.E.S. before theirs names. It stands for Grêmio Recreativo Escola de Samba, which means Recreative Guild Samba School.

The Samba School Rehearsals

The samba schools usually prepare themselves for Carnaval months before it. Each of them has their own court, that is a closed place where they can practice, or they can also do street rehearsals, where the community can watch, sign and dance along.

Visiting a samba school is like going to a great party, with lots of beautiful people dancing and a great energy. Have you ever been to a samba school? If you want you can visit one with us on our Samba School Visit RioLIVE! You will surely love it!

See ya!
A tight hug to all you guys!

Click in the links below to see more related Dicas
Rio de Janeiro Carnival
The Brazilian Samba
Brazil’s first samba school

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This is the best way to learn portuguese in Rio! Great atmosphere, vers good teachers and very efficient active learning method through one big bonus of this school: Rio&live !! Definitely recommand!!

Kanso M

2023-08-04

Llevo solo unas semanas estudiando en línea con Rio & Learn y puedo decir que mi portugués ya ha mejorado notablemente! Espero poder visitar la escuela pronto para realizar una inmersión completa y conocer a todos los profesores que son geniales. Muchas gracias Rio & Learn!

Pablo Gonzalez

2023-07-29

I have been taking online group classes here for about a month. The entire class is in Portuguese so you learn super fast. The class sizes are small and after each class the teacher evaluates you, so you learn at your own pace. All the teachers I've had are super enthusiastic and encouraging. You're also put in a WhatsApp group to practice and there are extra online activities which are super fun. I both laugh and learn a ton in my classes. I highly recommend this school and I hope someday in the future I can visit in person!

Sam Terlizzi

2023-07-27

I had a lovely time with the teachers and my fellow students during the classes and the activities the school provided. They push you to speak as much Portuguese as possible during and outside the classes. This made it possible for me to start smal conversation after one week!!! Thank you very much for all the fun and teachable moments! “Eu gosto Rio and Learn!”

Mathieu Vandemaele (MathieuV)

2023-07-26

Rio & Learn is a one stop shop for learning Portuguese while enjoying the amazing Carioca lifestyle. The teachers and the staffs are very accommodating and they always encourage you to speak and immerse in the language. The immersion classes would take you on amazing journeys to local historic spots of the city while keeping you extra fit. Highly recommend!!!

Khoa Pham

2023-07-25

excelente experiencia, quero visitar novamente, os professores foram maravilhosos - Diogo e Ana Paula! A escola é bem organizada, bem localizada e funciona bem. Obrigada a todos!

C G

2023-07-24

Wonderful experience of Portuguese learning! The curriculum combines class room lectures and RioLIVE! field trips. My favorite activities are samba and cooking lesson. Staff and teachers are very friendly and helpful.The school is perfectly suited few steps away from beautiful Copacabana beach. Diogo is amazing and fun, he makes a beginner like feels really comfortable and able to learn!

Hong Lynn Zeng

2023-07-21

E ai pessoal! Rio & Learn fue una experiencia maravillosa. En la escuela tuve clases muy interesante que mezclan temas gramaticales con conversación de una forma muy bien planificada. Adicionalmente, las actividades programadas por la escuela en la tarde y los fines de semana son muy divertidas y son una extensión de las clases por lo que se puede continuar practicando portugués en un escenario más pragmático. Complementario a esto, los profesores son muy buenos y tienen mucho ánimo y disposición para enseñar, preocupándose de que el estudiante aprenda ya sea en un entorno individual o grupal; debido a que el profesor que dicta la clase cambia con cierta frecuencia uno tiene la posibilidad de desarrollar más la habilidad de escucha con los diferentes acentos y dinámicas de cada uno. Finalmente, como solo traveler es el lugar ideal para hacer amigos en clase y pasar un buen rato con las actividades de RioLive mientras conoces Rio y practicas el idioma objetivo así que es una excelente combinación. Recomiendo completamente, amé mi experiencia, cree amistades para toda la vida y mejoré mi portugués tal como quería, superó mis expectativas con creces.

karolina roa correa

2023-07-14

la escuela es muy útil para aprender portugués, las clases son interactivas y divertidas. Tiene excelentes profesores que ayudan al aprendizaje de manera efectiva.

Daniela Camacho

2023-07-13

I highly recommend Rio and Learn, especially as a solo-traveler. You will make so many friends from the classes and have a lot of support from teachers as well. The group classes are quite great and allow you to maximize your time in the city. I love how you spend the first half of the day focusing on grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary and then afterwards you actually apply it while visiting some of the coolest places in Rio.

michael alcorn

2023-07-11