“I feel so fortunate to have her as a teacher”

I have been studying Portuguese with Daniela consistently now for several years.  I found Daniela when I was seeking to improve my Portuguese to prepare for an upcoming trip to Brazil.  I had learned some Portuguese many years ago, but felt I was losing most of it with lack of exposure and practice.  I wanted to improve it enough to not feel too shocked when I went back to visit Brazil. 

I soon realized that my short-term goals with Portuguese could be enhanced with long-term ones, and for that reason I did not hesitate to continue to study Portuguese with Daniela even after my Brazil trip so that I could further deepen my fluency. Daniela is so easy to converse with and always has interesting subjects to offer for discussion. 

She also is an excellent listener and doesn’t over-correct, so I never feel inhibited or afraid to speak.  She also emphasizes formal grammar usage while introducing other conversational ways Portuguese can be heard.  One of the best things about Daniela is her ability to understand who you are as a unique individual and what your interests are, so the classes are more engaging because the topics fit my personality and interests.  

I think this was an easy decision to continue regular lessons with Daniela because she makes the learning so personalized that I can continue to read articles, study grammar, and converse, all without feeling like a “student” but as an adult that is learning something in a more natural way.  With the time I’ve been studying Portuguese with Daniela, I’ve progressed from halted conversation to more fluency, which was an initial goal she helped me reach, and also developed a greater understanding of the complexities of Portuguese grammar.

I’ve developed a comfort in absorbing the various media in Portuguese, so now I can comfortably read articles in the Folha de São Paulo, series in Portuguese on Netflix, as well as subscribe to many Portuguese language influencers in social media that broaden my exposure. 

Daniela has helped me feel comfortable delving into the world of the Portuguese language and with this, I can also expand my classes with her and we can continue to develop interesting topics of conversation and discuss expressions, grammar and vocabulary that come up in these new areas. I will say that I was a good student when I was young, but as an adult, I cannot learn in the same method as when I was younger and I think Daniela knows how to teach adults and get them motivated to study again. 

She knows we need different tools to learn because we’re busier as adults, and she can take our interests and use them as learning tools in the Portuguese language.  I feel so fortunate to have her as a teacher and I feel she can accompany me on my entire journey to deepen my knowledge of the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture

John F.

“Her humor and understanding allows me to feel less discouraged and more at ease”

I have had the pleasure of being a student of Daniela’s for a year since I moved to Brazil, and I cannot recommend her highly enough. She is incredibly intelligent and knowledgeable, with a deep understanding of both Portuguese and English, and has an astounding grasp of language structure in both languages. Her empathy and patience make her an outstanding teacher, especially for someone like me who is quite capable of steering the conversation away from what I don’t want to do. But, she is always adept at guiding me back to learning and speaking Portuguese, ensuring that I stay on track.

Prior to finding Daniela, I tried three other instructors, none of whom matched her level of knowledge, skill and dedication. Having learned English herself while living in the United States, she understands the challenges of language acquisition firsthand. After her return to Brazil, she earned an advanced degree in teaching language, which is evident in her effective and engaging teaching methods. 

One of the things that I appreciate most about Daniela is her ability to use humor in such an accessible way. Learning a new language, at least for me, can be intimidating, and sometimes makes me feel as if I am back in the first grade, struggling with something I’ll never grasp. But her humor and understanding allows me to feel less discouraged and more at ease, turning moments of frustration into opportunities for growth.

I am incredibly appreciative of her both as a person and as an educator. Her passion for teaching, her commitment to success, and her ability to make learning enjoyable and effective truly set her apart!

Daniel C.

“She was the first teacher who really paid attention to my strengths and weaknesses”

When I first began taking lessons with Daniela, I was very frustrated, having gone through a succession of mediocre Portuguese teachers in an attempt to push past the intermediate level I’d been stuck at for many years.

She was the first teacher who really paid attention to my strengths and weaknesses, as well as my personal goals, and tailored her classes to the way I learned.

I had been stalled because I was intimidated to make mistakes in front of the teacher, but she never made me feel bad about them, so I rapidly gained confidence.

She was also fascinating to talk to, so I kept wanting to come back to class. Over the years, she’s helped me prepare for the CELPE-BRAS exam twice, maintain my Portuguese skills while living and working in a Spanish-speaking country, and move to and work in Brazil.

As my fluency has improved, our classes have shifted focus, but they always feel like a great use of time and money. We’re approaching nine years of lessons together, and I am confident there will be many more.

Kristen L.

“I’m often complimented on my abilities by native Brazilians and Portuguese when I travel to those countries”

When I began with Daniela,  I had a small vocabulary, but I  couldn’t put together more than a basic sentence in the present tense.  Now, I can have complete conversations.  I’m often complimented on my abilities by native Brazilians and Portuguese when I travel to those countries.

Daniela has years of experience teaching Portuguese, and it’s what she’s passionate about.  I find that she’s very intuitive about what I need next in my Portuguese journey, and she finds the best way for me to learn.  I can’t imagine working with anyone else.

Todd B.

“From the first day of class, Uiara demonstrated a deep knowledge of the language”

From the first day of class, Uiara demonstrated a deep knowledge of the language and an exceptional ability to teach foreigners. Her classes were always well organized, dynamic and full of activities that facilitated the understanding and practical use of Portuguese. In addition, she was always available to clarify doubts and offer additional support, which contributed significantly to my progress.
I highly recommend the Portuguese for Foreigners classes and I am very grateful to my teacher for all the knowledge and support she provided me during this unforgettable experience.

Helmun, Colombia