دسته: دسته‌بندی نشده

Wordle in Portuguese? | Portuguese Language Blog

Fala, pessoal. Tudo bom? If you’ve checked as redes sociais (social media) lately, you probably noticed some of your amigos e parentes (friends and relatives) sharing an enigmatic picture composed of tiny coloful quadrados (squares). I was intrigued myself, until a friend introduced me to the captivating Wordle.

The story behind it is quite touching, actually. The jogo (game) took the world by storm, although it was originally intended as love gesture designed by engineer Josh Wardle, who wanted to create something unique for his word-game-loving girlfriend. And it was somehow out of passion, in this case for the Portuguese language, that tech developer Fernando Serboncini came up with our very own version, Termo (term in English).

Fiquei feliz com o meu resultado (Screen capture by author)

Como jogar | How to play

Termo works pretty much like Wordle does. Os jogadores (players) must find out a palavra certa (the right word) and they have seis tentativas (six attempts). They start out by typing any 5-letter-word into the grid. When they press ‘enter’, some letras (letters) might change. If they turn amarelo (yellow), it means that the letter belongs in the word, but it is na posição errada (in the wrong position). The ones that turned verde (green) both belong in the word and are in the right position. The cinzas (grey ones) do not belong in the word and should be avoided when you adivinhar (guess) again. So all you have to do is keep on trying until you get a resposta correta (the right answer). Simples assim!

It’s not just highly viciante (addictive), it’s also very educational too! And if you’re wondering whether your Portuguese nível (level) is good enough to suceed at (or have fun with) this game, maybe you could see it as an opportunity to expand seu conhecimento (your knowledge) by using an online dictionary. I would recommend Michaelis, Priberam or Dicio. And no, it’s not trapaça (cheating) if you’re still learning the language! It can help you conhecer novas palavras (get to know new words) while, well, increasing your chances of ganhar (winning) as well. No harm in that!

And don’t worry about desperdiçar seu tempo (wasting your time). New words are available only uma vez por dia (once a day), meaning that, no matter how tempting it is, you’ll only be able to play it once and then try again the next day. Feel like practicing Portuguese or testing your skills in the language? Hit the link below:

Want to learn more about Wordle? Don’t take my word for it! You can read what Gary has to say about it here:

The Addictive Word Game – Wordle

And, of course, don’t forget to compartilhar (share) your results!

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31/05/2025
Natural disasters in Portuguese | Portuguese Language Blog
Fala, pessoal! What’s up, you guys? Como está o clima onde vocês estão? What’s the weather like where you are? Fevereiro (February) means freezing cold temperatures in the northern hemisphere, but scorching quente (hot) weather for those down south, like us Brazilians. At least it’s a break from the raging tempestades (storms) we saw in janeiro (January). And sadly, as far as extreme weather is concerned, the event that influenced me to write this text was an unfortunate one.

Desastres naturais acontecem no mundo todo (Image by Keli Black from Pixabay)

You might have heard about the tragic desabamento de rochas (rockfall) in the touristic city of Capitólio last month. The incident made the international headlines, featuring a striking video where you can see a large cliffside rock formation collapsing onto three barcos (boats). Ten people were mortas (killed) and 32 others left feridas (injured) as a result of the impact. Firefighters believe that the continuously heavy chuva (rain) affecting the area might be largely responsible. If you want to read more about it, find further information in Portuguese here or in English here.

Although recent climatic adversities have been linked to the effects aquecimento global (global warming), desastres naturais (natural disasters) have always been a part of history. Today’s post will expand on this one from 2012 with a few different phenomena and other examples. Vamos nessa!

drought – seca
- Israel has been suffering from its longest drought on record | Israel está passando pela sua seca mais longa já registrada.
Terremotos podem ser devastadores (Image by Angelo Giordano from Pixabay)

hurricane – furacão
- Hurricane Katrina is said to be one of the worst catastrophes of the century | O furacão Katrina é considerado uma das piores catástrofes do século.
blizzard – nevasca
- Over 12 people were killed in the avalanche, caused by a blizzard | Mais de 12 pessoas morreram na avalanche, causada por uma nevasca.
heatwave – onda de calor
- The heatwave sweeping across Europe is predicted to reach France next week | A onda de calor passando pela Europa está prevista para chegar à França na próxima semana.
flood – enchente

Secas ocorrem em climas quentes (Image by Sven Lachmann from Pixabay)
- All meteorologists agree that heavy rain and floods can be expected this season | Todos meteorologistas concordam que chuvas fortes e enchentes podem ser esperadas nesta estação.
earthquake – terremoto
- The 2011 earthquake in Japan claimed tens of thousands of lives and over 300 billion in property damage | O terremoto de 2011 no Japão custou dezenas de milhares de vidas e mais de 300 bilhões em danos materiais.
landslide – deslizamento de terra
- The school’s roof caved in during the landslide | O telhado da escola desabou durante o deslizamento de terra.
  
  Chuvas intensas causam enchentes (Image by LucyKaef from Pixabay)
volcanic eruption – erupção vulcânica
- A volcanic eruption warning has been issued in Iceland | Um alerta de erupção vulcânica foi emitido na Islândia.
wildfire – incêndio florestal, queimada
- A large portion of the area’s native greenery was destroyed in the wildfire | Uma grande parte da vegetação nativa da área foi destruída na queimada.
hailstorm – tempestade de granizo
- The southern provinces of Chine were hit by a severe hailstorm, which brought serious losses | As províncias do sul da China foram atingidas por uma forte tempestade de granizo, que trouxe sérias perdas.
Do you know how to falar sobre o tempo (talk about the weather) in Portuguese? Don’t miss out on these previous posts:

Talking about the weather in Portuguese

Weather in Portuguese
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29/05/2025
Modern Art Week special: Manuel Bandeira

Fala, galera! If you look back a hundred years, do you know what was going on in your country back then? Well, cem anos atrás (a hundred years ago), the Semana de Arte Moderna (Modern Art Week) was held in São Paulo, a milestone in arts and culture in Brazil. The event featured exposições de arte (art exhibitions), palestras (lectures), book and poetry readings, concerts and dance performances. Many notorious artists, pintores (painters) and escritores (writers) like Di Cavalcanti, Anita Malfatti, Mário de Andrade, Oswald de Andrade and Heitor Villa-Lobos had the unique opportunity to present their work to Brazilian society. But enough about that por enquanto (for the time being). You can find out more about Semana de Arte Moderna in future posts.

Let’s now shift our attention to Manuel Bandeira, whose poetry was received with both enthusiasm and rage by the clapping and booing público (audience) during a reading of “Os Sapos” in Semana de Arte Moderna. The modernist author had a funny, provocative and iconoclastic style, which we will get to know today with his best-known poem, Vou-me embora pra Pasárgada. Below you can find the original stanzas in Portuguese, followed by minha tradução (my translation) in italics.

But first, how about brushing up on your listening skills? Ouça (listen to) the poem here, narrated by the author himself!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyD0raEt_y0

Vou-me embora pra Pasárgada
Lá sou amigo do rei
Lá tenho a mulher que eu quero
Na cama que escolherei

I’m leaving for Pasargada
There, I am a friends witi the king
There, I have the woman I want
In the bed that I choose

Vou-me embora pra Pasárgada
Aqui eu não sou feliz
Lá a existência é uma aventura
De tal modo inconsequente
Que Joana a Louca de Espanha
Rainha e falsa demente
Vem a ser contraparente
Da nora que nunca tive

I’m leaving for Pasargada

Leia poesia para aprender português (Photo by cottonbro from Pexels)

Here, I am not happy
There, existence is an adventure
in such an inconsequential way
May Joana the Madwoman of Spain
Queen and falsely demented
Come to be a distant relative
From the daughter-in-law I never had

E como farei ginástica
Andarei de bicicleta
Montarei em burro brabo
Subirei no pau-de-sebo
Tomarei banhos de mar!
E quando estiver cansado
Deito na beira do rio
Mando chamar a mãe-d’água
Pra me contar as histórias
Que no tempo de eu menino
Rosa vinha me contar
Vou-me embora pra Pasárgada

And how I will exercise
I will ride a bike
I will ride a wild donkey
I will climb the greasy pole
I will bathe in the sea!
And when I am tired
I will lie down by the river
I send for the mother of the waters
To tell me the stories
That when I was a child
Rosa would tell me
I’m leaving for Pasargada

Em Pasárgada tem tudo
É outra civilização
Tem um processo seguro
De impedir a concepção
Tem telefone automático
Tem alcaloide à vontade
Tem prostitutas bonitas
Para a gente namorar

In Pasargada there is everything
It’s another civilization
It has a safe process
to prevent conception
It has automatic telephones
It has alkaloids at will
It has beautiful prostitutes
for us to date

E quando eu estiver mais triste
Mas triste de não ter jeito
Quando de noite me der
Vontade de me matar
— Lá sou amigo do rei —
Terei a mulher que eu quero
Na cama que escolherei
Vou-me embora pra Pasárgada.

And when I’m at my saddest
Saddest beyond reason
When at night I feel
like killing myself
— There I am friends with the king —
I will have the woman I want
In the bed that I choose
I’m leaving for Pasargada. (1930)

Feeling inspired? We have more poems for you! Check them out here:

Celebrate Library Card Month with Poetry

Poetry in Portuguese | “Círculo Vicioso” by Machado de Assis

Brazilian Profile: Carlos Drummond de Andrade

Canção do exílio

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27/05/2025
Brazil on social media: Who to follow

Olá a todos! Hi, all! Nowadays, there are muitas maneiras (many ways) to learn Portuguese beyond the good old coursebook. You can se matricular em um curso (sign up for a course), contratar um professor particular (hire a private tutor), befriend a native speaker and exchange messages, use language learning apps, ouvir (listen to) podcasts and music, assistir (watch) movies. The list goes on.

Quem seguir nas redes sociais (Image by Biljana Jovanovic from Pixabay)

They are certainly all helpful in their own way. But today my plan is to introduce you to a more unusual way to expand your conhecimento (knowledge): by using redes sociais (social media). I’ve rounded up as melhores contas (best accounts) on Instagram, Youtube and TikTok that produce some interesting, amusing and educational conteúdo (content) about Portuguese language and Brazilian culture. And if you’re not too big on social networks, don’t worry! You don’t have to be active or even criar uma conta (create an account) to browse, so you can still have some fun while you aprende (learn). So if you want to hear more about quem seguir (who to follow), check out below.

Olga do Brasil

With over half a million seguidores (followers), Olga started her canal (channel) about two years ago. The Russian Youtuber offers viewers her overall impressions and reactions – in Portuguese!- about random assuntos (topics) related to Brazilian culture, celebrations, food, music, language and vida cotidiana (daily life). It is also entertaining to watch her compare certain aspects between Brazilians and Russians. We are vastly different, but we do have a lot more in common than we think. Watch her videos here:

https://www.youtube.com/c/OlgaDoBrasil

Aprenda português na internet (Image by Erik Lucatero from Pixabay)

Greengo dictionary

Literally speaking, it should be a dictionary for estrangeiros (foreigners), but one might even argue that this page only makes sense for Brazilians. And Greengo dictionary is definitely hugely popular among us, with its deliberately traduções ruins (poor translations) of English phrases that refer to our country’s current events, history, celebrities, public figures, geography and memes. Sounds like a lot to take in? I bet their clean layout with imagens (pictures) and a short translated text could help you entender (understand) a little better what is going on, even if it is a little mais avançado (more advanced). Either way, Greengo dictionary could be enlightening or just confusing, but it is worth a shot.

https://www.instagram.com/greengodictionary/

Eduardo Tristão Girão

Now for some local color, Eduardo Tristão Girão’s perfil (profile) is an Instagram hidden gem, mandatory for anyone even mildly interested in Brazilian culture and comida (food). Girão is an award-winning journalist and food critic, but his whole ideia is to keep things simple. He focuses primarily on regional cuisine, artisan production and traditional ingredients, especially queijos (cheese). Navigate his older stories for truly mesmerizing series on typical pratos (dishes) and onde e como (where and how) they are made.

https://www.instagram.com/eduardotristaogirao/

Veja contas interessantes para seguir (Image by Thomas Ulrich from Pixabay)

Gringos no Brasil

To wrap it up, TikTok and Instagram are not short on accounts of gringos (our slang for foreigners) to talk about what it is like to viver (live) in Brazil. With lots of piadas (jokes) and a wonderful sense of humor, these creators use TikTok’s characteristic fast-paced video style to share their experiences and give dicas (tips) on traveling and speaking Portuguese. Plus, you can passar horas (spend hours) watching without even noticing. Confira aqui:

https://www.tiktok.com/@ondestaoadam

https://www.tiktok.com/@spencersabe

https://www.tiktok.com/@paulcabannes_

https://www.tiktok.com/@thegringoinbrazil

https://www.instagram.com/chrisgringo/

Who do you like to follow on social media? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

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25/05/2025
Why so serious? The word ‘sério’ in Portuguese

Fala, pessoal! Tudo bem? Sério mesmo? Learning about collocations and idioms is the best way to achieve fluency and communicating in a natural way in a foreign language. And using the word sério (serious) properly can certainly help. Today’s post will round up some examples of how to use the term and their meanings. And if you want to dig deeper into the topic of expressions in Portuguese, check out these related posts here, here or here. So it’s time to get serious!

Por que você está tão sério? (Image by Ольга Бережна from Pixabay )

First of all, sério means the same as in English, as in something bad, severe or as a person who is quiet and not into jokes:

Remember that “sério” as an adjective should therefore be modified according to gender and number:

Você está falando sério? (Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels)

You can even go a little further and try sério mesmo, which is a little more emphatic but also a bit informal and can be translated as for real:

É sério que já acabou? But don’t worry, there is more to come next week! Tenham uma ótima semana.

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23/05/2025
More ways to use ‘sério’ in Portuguese

Ei, gente! Prontos para o fim de semana? Mas agora é hora de falar sério! But now it’s time to get serious and move on with our previous post about the word sério in Portuguese. Today we are going to cover a few more idioms and examples related to this very interesting term in our language. Vem dar uma olhada!

Por que você está tão séria? (Photo by Karolina Grabowska)

Brazilians are usually very friendly and like to smile. So if you’re not really in a cheerful mood as we so often are, you will likely hear this phrase.

And as a bonus treat for learners, here is a classic song from the 2000s featuring Brazilian popular rap group Charlie Brown Jr. and R&B singer Negra Li, Não É Sério, so you can boost your language skills as you sing:

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21/05/2025
The childhood in Portuguese | Portuguese Language Blog
Olá, pessoal! Como estão? When living in a país estrangeiro (foreign country), we often catch ourselves struggling to find the right words in the most unusual situations. I was hosting um chá de bebê (a baby shower) for a friend and, as I don’t speak the local language, finding exactly what I needed to buy took a lot of Googling and translating.

I definitely wish I could have had more help, which prompted me to put together this useful guide on how to navigate the magical world of infância (childhood) in Portuguese. You don’t have to be a parent to have a criança (child) in your life. You might be an aunt, uncle, grandparent, neighbor or even have a colleague at work who has childen. Showing that you care goes a long way in any relationship, and knowing how to express yourself in the language can be really helpful. Então venham comigo!

Sempre levo meus filhos no parquinho (Photo by Orione Conceição from Pexels)

parquinho | playground

escorregador, balanço, gangorra, caixa de areia | slide, swing, see saw, sand pit
- Levo meus filhos no parquinho todas às tardes | I take my children to the playground every afternoon .
pega-pega, pique-esconde | play tag, hide and seek
- Do you want to play tag or hide and seek with us? | Você quer brincar de esconde-esconde ou pega-pega com a gente?
chupeta | binkie, pacifier
- Chupetas são uma boa ideia para acalmar bebês | Pacifiers are a good ideia to calm babies down.
mamadeira | baby bottle
- É hora de alimentar o bebê, você pode pegar a mamadeira para mim? | It’s time to the feed the baby, can you get the baby bottle for me?
babador | bib
- Ainda bem que o bebê estava com o babador, ele se sujou todo de comida | Good thing the baby had his bib on, he good food all over himself.
Hora de trocar a fralda (Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels)

fralda, trocar fralda | diaper, change diaper
- Oh, as fraldas do Jimmy estão fedendo! Acho que é hora de trocar a fralda | Oh, Jimmy’s diapers stink! I think it’s time for adiaper change.
amamentar | to breastfeed
- A amamentação oferece muitos benefícios para a saúde, tanto para a mãe quanto para a criança | Breastfeeding offers a lot of health benefits both for the mother and the child.
carrinho de bebê | stroller
- Estou levando minha filha de dois anos ao parque em um carrinho de bebê porque ela é nova demais para andar muito | I’m taking my two-year-old to the park on a stroller because she is too young to walk around for long.
boneca | doll
- Eu tive várias bonecas Barbie quando era criança | I had several Barbie dolls when I was a kid.
bichinho de pelúcia, ursinho | stuffed animals, teddy bear
- Luke está chateado porque ele esqueceu seu ursinho de pelúcia favorito no jardim de infância | Luke is upset because he forgot his favorite teddy bear in the kindergarten.
- A cama de Lisa está cheia de bichinhos de pelúcia de todos os tamanhos e cores | Lisa’s bed is covered in stuffed animals of all sizes and colors.
engatinhar | to crawl
- Minha filha começou a engatinhar ontem! Em breve ela estará dando seus primeiros passos | My baby daughter started crawling yesterday! Soon she will be taking her first steps.
fazer xixi na cama | wet your bed
- Reduzir a ingestão de líquidos à noite pode ajudar as crianças a parar de fazer xixi na cama | Reducing the intake of fluids at night can help children stop wetting their beds.
  
  O jardim de infância é um bom lugar para fazer amigos (Photo by cottonbro from Pexels)
creche, jardim de infância | day care, kindergarten
- No início, meu filho não parava de chorar quando o deixava na creche. Depois ele acabou se acostumando! | At first, my son couldn’t stop crying when I dropped him off at day care. Then he got used to it!
- Nos mudamos para esse parte da cidade porque eles tem jardins-de-infância melhores| We moved to this part of town because they have better kindergartens .
crescer | grow up
- Eu cresci em Boston | I grew up in Boston.
- Aproveite esses momentos, eles crescem tão rápido! | Enjoy these moments, they grow up so fast!
And first things first! Before infância (childhood), comes gravidez (pregnancy). If you’d care to learn more about this life stage, confira abaixo or see our related posts here and here:

Being pregnant in Portuguese

WARNING: As of today, the Portuguese blog will be discontinued. I would like to thank all readers. It has been great writing about my language as culture over the years. Hope you enjoyed it too!
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19/05/2025
the best way to learn portuguese

Portuguese classes might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about learning a second language. However, with over 220 million native speakers, Portuguese is one of the most spoken languages worldwide. Whether you’re planning to visit Brazil or simply want to broaden your language skills, taking Portuguese classes can be an exciting and rewarding experience.

At Caminhos Language Centre, we offer various options for Portuguese learners, including in-person classes, Portuguese online courses, and immersive experiences in Rio de Janeiro. Here’s why Caminhos is the perfect place for your Portuguese classes.

Portuguese Classes to learn portuguese

Choosing to study in Brazil offers many advantages. Firstly, Brazil is a vibrant country with a rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and warm people. By taking Portuguese classes in Rio de Janeiro, you are not just learning a language—you are living the experience.

Caminhos Language Centre gives you the opportunity to explore the city and immerse yourself in the culture while practicing your Portuguese. Whether you’re enjoying a beach day at Copacabana or hiking through Tijuca Forest, you’ll have countless opportunities to interact with locals and use the language daily.

Portuguese Classes at Caminhos Language Centre

At Caminhos, we offer Portuguese courses for all levels—beginners to advanced. Our teachers are native speakers who create engaging and interactive classes to make learning fun and effective. The main course options include:

Group classes: Learn Portuguese in small groups with other students from around the world. You’ll practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing while making new friends.
Private lessons: These customized lessons offer you the flexibility to focus on your personal goals and work at your own pace.
Portuguese online courses: If you can’t come to Brazil, don’t worry! Our online classes allow you to learn Portuguese from anywhere in the world, with the same immersive experience.
The Best Way to Learn Portuguese Online
Learning Portuguese online is a convenient option for many students. With our online Portuguese courses, you’ll receive personalized attention from our experienced teachers, interactive lessons, and plenty of resources to enhance your language journey.

Our Portuguese online courses are flexible, so you can study at your own pace and choose the schedule that fits your lifestyle. Plus, you’ll still have access to cultural tips, online activities, and social events, keeping the experience immersive even from afar.

Immersive Language Learning in Rio de Janeiro

If you’re looking for a unique experience, Caminhos Language Centre also offers immersive Portuguese courses in Rio de Janeiro. You can learn the language while exploring one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Participate in local activities, engage with the community, and enjoy the Brazilian lifestyle—all while improving your Portuguese skills. Our school organizes regular cultural tours and events, giving you a taste of authentic Brazil.

Caminhos Language Centre is the largest and most exciting Portuguese school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We have an excellent infrastructure, over 15 experienced Brazilian teachers, and a friendly multilingual support staff. We are the only school in Brazil able to offer Portuguese group courses throughout the year on 10 different levels. Moreover, our school also offers more than just Portuguese lessons for foreigners, we offer you the complete Rio de Janeiro experience. Every day we organize 100% free and fun activities for you to socialize and practice your Portuguese. We can also help you with a student visa for Brazil and accommodation in Rio de Janeiro. Follow us on Instagram for some Portuguese tips and news.

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17/05/2025
How to Say Good Morning in Portuguese
When learning a new language, greetings are among the first phrases you’ll master. Knowing how to say “good morning” is essential for starting the day on the right foot. In Portuguese, whether you’re in Brazil, Portugal, or another Lusophone country, knowing how to greet people properly can make a huge difference in your interactions. In this blog post, we’ll explore not only how to say “good morning” in Portuguese but also the cultural nuances that come with it.

The direct translation of “good morning” in Portuguese is “bom dia”. Here’s a quick breakdown:

So, “bom dia” literally means “good day,” but it’s used exclusively in the morning, typically until noon or just after.

Pronunciation Tip:
- “Bom” is pronounced like bõ, with a nasal sound.
- “Dia” is pronounced jee-ah, with a soft d that almost sounds like j.
2. When to Use “Bom Dia”

In Portuguese-speaking cultures, “bom dia” is used to greet someone early in the day. You can use it in both formal and informal settings, whether you’re talking to a friend, a shopkeeper, or even a stranger in passing. Brazilians, in particular, are known for their friendliness and are likely to greet you with a cheerful “bom dia” whenever you meet in the morning.

Using “bom dia” is polite and expected in most social interactions. Even in a professional setting, it’s common to greet your coworkers or clients with a “bom dia” when you arrive in the morning.

3. Beyond “Bom Dia”: Other Morning Greetings

If you’re feeling a bit more creative or want to expand your vocabulary, there are a few variations and alternatives to “bom dia” that you can use:
- “Tenha um bom dia” – This means “Have a good day.” It’s a slightly more formal or complete version of “bom dia.”
- “Bom dia, tudo bem?” – A friendly way to say “Good morning, how are you?” It’s common to add a little extra to your greeting, especially in Brazil, where people enjoy small talk.
- “Um ótimo dia para você” – This translates to “A great day for you.” It’s a warm and friendly wish for someone to have a really good day.
4. Cultural Context: Morning Greetings in Brazil

In Brazil, greeting someone with “bom dia” goes beyond mere words; it’s an important part of daily social interactions. Brazilians are generally warm and hospitable, and starting the day with a smile and a “bom dia” is seen as a way to foster good relationships. Whether you’re grabbing coffee at a local café or entering an office building, saying “bom dia” sets a positive tone for the rest of your encounter.

Unlike in some cultures where people may skip morning greetings altogether, Brazilians make a point of greeting everyone they meet, even in passing. So, if you’re living in or visiting Brazil, be ready to exchange a lot of “bom dias”!

5. Morning Greetings in Portugal and Other Lusophone Countries

While the phrase “bom dia” is universal across Portuguese-speaking countries, the way it’s used can vary slightly from country to country. In Portugal, for example, people tend to be a bit more reserved, but greeting someone with “bom dia” is still considered polite and appropriate. In Angola, Mozambique, and other Portuguese-speaking countries, the same rule applies—greetings are important, and starting the day with “bom dia” is essential.

6. Conclusion: The Power of “Bom Dia”

Mastering greetings like “bom dia” is a crucial step in your Portuguese learning journey. Not only does it help you communicate effectively, but it also allows you to connect with people on a more personal level. Whether you’re in Brazil, Portugal, or another Lusophone country, a friendly “bom dia” can go a long way in making a great first impression.

So, the next time you find yourself in a Portuguese-speaking environment, don’t hesitate to start the day with a cheerful “bom dia!” It’s simple, yet powerful, and a key to embracing the warmth and friendliness of the Portuguese language.

Caminhos Language Centre is the largest and most exciting Portuguese school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We have an excellent infrastructure, over 15 experienced Brazilian teachers, and a friendly multilingual support staff. We are the only school in Brazil able to offer Portuguese group courses throughout the year on 10 different levels. Moreover, our school also offers more than just Portuguese lessons for foreigners, we offer you the complete Rio de Janeiro experience. Every day we organize 100% free and fun activities for you to socialize and practice your Portuguese. We can also help you with a student visa for Brazil and accommodation in Rio de Janeiro. Follow us on Instagram for some Portuguese tips and news.
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15/05/2025
My Journey Learning English

I started learning English at Mais Caminhos in 2017. In the first class, I felt very shy because I thought the other students were better than me. But my teacher encouraged me to keep going and never give up. As time passed, I became more confident, and I finally started understanding what my teachers were saying! I was learning English because my mother always told me that learning new things would be good for my future. She was right; now I can see that my future will be brighter with the ability to read and write in English.

My Journey Learning English

Practicing dialogue has always helped me improve my English, and it’s fun because we talk about everyday things—our routines, our likes and dislikes, movies, songs, series, art, and more. At first, I found some accents, like British English, hard to understand, but I overcame this challenge thanks to the diverse volunteers at Mais Caminhos, who come from all over the world. Through them, I got to know different cultures and accents. Their support, along with my mother’s encouragement, helped me a lot.

In the beginning, I was very shy, but now I am much more fearless. Meeting new people from different countries and cultures at Caminhos Language Centre has really boosted my confidence. I practice English all the time—listening to music, reading texts, watching movies, and helping tourists. One day, a girl from France and her family were looking for a bank, and I helped them. Now, Elisa, the girl, is my friend! We talk online, and I miss her a lot. Helping other tourists has made me feel like I’m doing something good!

Learning English feels like having a superpower because I can make new friends and talk to everyone! I haven’t had a job yet, but I know this skill will make me stand out. English is a universal language, and I’m so grateful I can speak it! In recent years, I’ve achieved something very special—new friendships. Now that I know more about different cultures, I can connect with people from all over the world.

I’m sure my future will be bright. I hope to do an exchange program in Europe one day because I love their culture. My big goal is to live in Canada when I’m an adult because it’s so multicultural, and it snows! I also dream of becoming a doctor and helping Mais Caminhos grow even more, making my community better. None of this would be possible if I hadn’t met Mais Caminhos, and I’m so grateful this NGO exists!

For anyone just starting to learn English at Mais Caminhos, my advice is: never give up! It might be hard sometimes, but learning English will make your future better than your present, and you’ll have so much fun along the way. It will help you a lot in both your personal and professional life!

Mais Caminhos Student, Victor Mendes, 14 years Old.

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13/05/2025