MEET YOUR PORTUGUESE TEACHERS

IN LOVE WITH BRAZIL

The Portuguese Institute is a cultural and educational initiative devoted to promoting the Portuguese language and the heritage of Brazil around the world. Founded on the belief that language is the key to understanding identity, history, and human connection, the Portuguese Institute offers high-quality resources for free to all who wish to master Portuguese or reconnect with their cultural roots.

At the core of the Institute is a passionate team of Portuguese language educators and content creators who combine academic rigor with real-life teaching experience and a genuine love for the Portuguese linguistic tradition.

We are proud to offer a carefully structured Portuguese Language Master Course that integrates Grammar, Vocabulary, Audio Podcasts, Exercises and Cultural insights. This course is the fruit of years of dedication and feedback from learners globally. It reflects not only our educational method but also our mission to present Portuguese as a vibrant, evolving language. Our aim is to guide you with clarity and confidence through its richness—step by step—making your learning journey both enjoyable and inspiring.

Beyond language teaching, the Portuguese Institute is dedicated to sharing Brazilian culture in all its dimensions. Through our News section, we present to an international audience the latest in cultural life—spotlighting contemporary events, artists, musicians, noteworthy films and innovative businesses, as well as timeless traditions and festivals.

We are continuously expanding and enhancing our teaching materials, and we are sincerely grateful for the support and enthusiasm we receive from learners around the world. Your feedback helps guide our vision and sustain our growth.

Obrigado for being part of our journey!

FERNANDA ALVES

Fernanda Alves leads the Portuguese Institute as Editor-in-Chief, where she brings together her love for storytelling and her dedication to sharing Brazil with the world. Her background in publishing and digital media gives her a strong foundation, but what truly drives her work is the belief that language carries culture, identity, and connection.

She spends her days shaping the website’s voice—selecting topics, polishing content, and encouraging her team to think creatively about how Portuguese can be taught in ways that feel fresh and authentic. Raised in São Paulo, Fernanda grew up surrounded by the sounds and rhythms of Brazilian Portuguese, and she carries that early sense of curiosity into her editorial vision.

Editor-in-Chief

THIAGO OLIVEIRA

Beyond his love for the Portuguese language, Thiago enjoys the everyday things that keep him inspired—playing guitar, exploring Brazil’s regional cuisines, and watching classic Brazilian films. He often draws on these passions when creating content, finding ways to show learners how language connects to music, food, and culture in everyday life.

Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Thiago believes that learning a language should feel as natural as sharing a meal with friends or singing along to a favorite song. His approach blends professional expertise with a genuine love for Brazilian culture, making his lessons not only informative but also personal and inviting.

Senior Language Content Creator

CAMILA PERREIRA

Camila focuses on building bridges between learners and Brazilian culture. She has a gift for connecting with people—whether through organizing online events, responding to community feedback, or finding creative ways to make everyone feel part of the project. For Camila, outreach is more than communication; it’s about creating a welcoming space where people feel supported on their language journey.

Outside of work, Camila loves spending time outdoors, from hiking trails near her hometown to relaxing on the beach with friends. She also has a passion for photography, often capturing everyday moments of daily life that inspire her.

Community Outreach Manager

LUCAS CARVALHO

Lucas is a one of the Language Content Creators at the Portuguese Institute, where he focuses on developing lessons, dialogues, and cultural pieces that bring Brazilian Portuguese to life for learners everywhere. He has a talent for breaking down complex ideas into clear, practical steps, helping students feel confident as they move forward in their studies.

Away from the desk, Lucas is an avid reader and enjoys diving into Brazilian literature, both classic and contemporary. He also loves football—whether playing with friends or cheering for his favorite team FC Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro.

Language Content Creator

MARIANA SOUZA

As Public Relations Manager she works on sharing the Institute’s mission with a wider audience and building lasting partnerships with artists, innovative businesses and luxury venues offering the best of Brazil. With a background in communications and media and experience working for mayor magazines, she knows how to make the right connections at the right time.

Mariana is passionate about Brazilian music and attends concerts whenever she can dancing the nights away. She also enjoys cooking traditional regional dishes for her parents and friends, seeing food as another way of connecting with people.

Public Relations Manager

RAFAEL MOREIRA

Rafa was born in the United States, in a multicultural family where languages mixed as freely as the people that can to his parent's house. Though his roots were Brazilian—his grandparents having emigrated from Rio — he grew up speaking only bits and pieces of the language at home. What began as a vague curiosity about his family’s background slowly turned into a lifelong passion for the Portuguese language and culture.

Beyond reporting, Rafe works as a photographer, contributing to Portuguese language learning platforms, by creating unique images that capture the soul of this proud nation. You can also find him at the station shouting words we cannot repeat here at his foes.

News & Culture Editor

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

If you are serious about learning Portuguese, we recommend that you download the Complete Portuguese Master Course.

You will receive all the information available on the website in a convenient portable digital format as well as additional contents: over 15.000 Vocabulary Words and Useful Phrases, in-depth explanations and exercises for all Grammar Rules, exclusive articles with Cultural Insights that you won't in any other textbook so you can amaze your Brazilian and Portuguese friends thanks to your knowledge of their countries and history.

With a one-time purchase you will also get hours of Podcasts to Practice your Portuguese listening skills as well as Dialogues with Exercises to achieve your own Master Certificate. 

Start speaking Portuguese today!