Brazilian Portuguese with a native, MA – degreed teacher. Fun and effective lessons!

Find out more about Daniela

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  Both reasons are valid. I have a Brazilian origin, which makes Portuguese my mother tongue. However, it is undeniable how the wonderful teachers who marked my academic journey inspired me to pursue a career in teaching.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  Brazil is a country that encompasses diverse cultures and has continental dimensions. In this sense, it is a very arduous task to choose just one figure to represent it. However, when I think of the beauty and depth that Portuguese can acquire, it is impossible not to think of the immensity that constitutes Milton Nascimento, a great Brazilian singer and composer.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  I like the word "cafuné," which describes the act of gently stroking the head of someone we deeply care for. Cafuné is an act that, in its simplicity, charts a sure path to warming and softening our hearts.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Portuguese is the language of my memories, my feelings, and my experiences. To paraphrase the artist Wagner Moura, when I say something in Portuguese, the words come with stories, with taste and smell.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  Understanding the logic of verb tenses can be tricky, but with the right teaching strategies, coupled with patience and perseverance, this difficulty is overcome. In my classes, grammar is always presented starting from cultural references, from everyday life and the traditions we practice in Brazil. In this way, the teaching-learning process becomes less burdensome and more fun and interactive.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  Creating musical parodies helped me with my school tests. Music sticks in our memory. Although I no longer create parodies, I still enjoy incorporating music into my teaching. It's a helpful tool for contextualizing subjects and showing practical uses.

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  My university exchange program in France was a pivotal point in my academic growth. Handling daily tasks, administrative procedures, and unexpected situations in French strengthened my understanding of the core communication skills every language learner should master.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  My students and our partnership make me feel like a Superprof. Nothing feels more fulfilling than watching a student progress and reach new language milestones.