Our Portuguese Teachers

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 484 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Gustavo Olstein 
 
14 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Sou aluno da escola ha 6 meses na modalidade grupal part-time online.  Acho a experiencia de estudar portugues na Rio & Learn muito interesante, as aulas sao animadas e engracadas, e os professores muito legais, com destaque para o Igor, Sabrina, Leo e Rafael. Espero algum dia poder participar das atividades  ao vivo no Rio
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Aris Hayes 
 
30 May 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Whatever you think your experience here will be like, it‘s better than that. I took part in the group classes for 1 month and I don‘t even have the words to describe how much I enjoyed my time here. This is not the kind of school that puts a boring textbook in your face and calls it a day. You learn the language by being immersed in it 24/7, so from Day 1, you will be speaking portuguese. On my first day here, we went out into the city, talking about our surroundings, learned how to order in portuguese, etc. Every day here you will be talking about movies, music, what you‘re passionate about, learning about Brasilian culture, cuisine, anything you can think of. The classes all feel like you‘re learning with a good friend, for one because of how they‘re structured in such a fun way, but also because the teachers are some of the coolest people I‘ve met in Brasil. Your teachers will rotate, and all of them have their own unique way of teaching. But what they all have in common is that they are professional, funny and kind. They take their time with all the students and get everybody involved in conversations. I want to thank all of them for making my time here as incredible as it was. I want to thank Diogo in particular, who is one of the coolest people I‘ve ever met in my life. He has such a fun, vibrant personality and really engages with the students. My portuguese is not very good and I often struggle to understand what people are saying, but I understood every word he said, partially because he speaks loudly and clearly, but I think it‘s also because he’s just naturally funny and that everything he says is so interesting you can‘t help but pay attention. Every morning I‘d hear Diogo in the hallway, cracking jokes and telling stories. He‘s the kind of guy that just lights up the room. Thank you Diogo, and thank you to everybody else at Rio & Learn. I recommend this school to anybody looking to enhance their experience in Rio. This is possibly the best way to appreciate this beautiful city and country even more. The more I learn, the more I fall in love. Thank you for everything.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Zuhe Gonzalez Romagosa 
 
4 April 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I’ve been studying at Rio & Learn for the past month. I started with in-person classes at the school, and now I’m continuing with online classes. I just want to say—I really love this academy! I chose Rio & Learn because they offer fun and engaging activities, but what I love the most are the teachers. Each teacher has a different style, and they rotate them, so you don’t always have classes with the same person. I love that! It gives you a mix of teaching methods, which really works for me. One of the best things about the school—both in-person and online—are the extra activities they offer. In Rio, the activities include visits to interesting places around the city. Online, there are daily conversation sessions, games, and topic-based discussions that make learning even more fun and dynamic. The in-person activities sometimes depend on having enough students join, due to logistics and transportation costs, so occasionally they get canceled—but that’s totally understandable and no one’s fault. They also have Dica do Dia, a free daily newsletter that’s excellent—not only for practicing Portuguese, but also for learning more about Brazilian culture. I’m still studying and planning to continue for the rest of the year! Special shoutouts: Tomás at the front desk—always super helpful on WhatsApp and responds with a great attitude. Dayane for her amazing customer service, flexibility, and quick response time. Alle, a great teacher and also a talented dancer! Dani, for her contagious energy. Marcelle, an excellent teacher—we had an epic class about the word fofocar that I’ll never forget. Sabrina, her online classes are incredible. I love how she makes me learn. When I say something in Spanish by accident, she’s like: “FORGET that word, say tchau—‘bye bye’ ” Sara, always super organized and creative—she brings activities that really help me use my imagination. Igor and Rafael, you two are awesome! Thanks for holding it down in the RioOnline space.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Ola Maria Rosiak 
 
18 March 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I've studied here for a month and made amazing progress! I knew some basic Portuguese before coming here and I mainly needed practice in speaking - and it was exactly what I got!  The classes are immersive - you only get to speak Portuguese, also during activities (they are pretty strict about that!). But because of that, I'm not sure if I recommend this school to someone who is just starting to learn from zero - some people I met at school were really struggling with that. Just learn some basics before! Every day you have a different teacher, which at first I thought was weird, but it actually works pretty well because they are all different - you also learn to understand different accents etc. But some teachers are better than others. Unfortunately, the difference can be huge. There were classes where teachers couldn’t properly explain grammar (being a native speaker doesn’t automatically mean you’re a great teacher!), but since grammar wasn't my main focus, I kinda accepted that. However, there are a few excellent and knowledgeable teachers at the school - I enjoyed the most classes with Marcelle - she was fun AND knowledgeable at the same time. You could see she knew what she was doing, and she put effort into actually preparing before the class. I also really liked classes with Gabriel (though he already left) and Jonathan. Alle was really fun to talk to! I've heard people speak highly about Julie as well, but I didn't have classes with her. If you study here make sure to participate in all the activities - they’re mostly free and a great way to practice speaking in real-life situations. The only thing that worries me is how often teachers quit. Several left during the month I was there and people who studied longer said it happens all the time. It seems like they don’t stay in this job for long - low pay, bad management or just a coincidence?
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Eduardo Venegas 
 
18 September 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
My Rio and Learn experience has been wonderful! I have been taking Portuguese private online lessons for over three months. During this time, I had classes with several professors which was great to get to know different teaching styles and personalities. I later transition to having classes just with Sabrina as an instructor. Sabrina is great!! Very patient, fun and authentic. I have enjoyed learning Portuguese in this online format. Not only I get to learn the language but learn about the Brazilian culture and Rio. All very helpful as I prepare to visit Rio de Janeiro again. I highly recommend signing up for classes with Rio and Learn! It is definitely worth your time and money. You can’t go wrong by learning a language with a native instructor while learning about their culture, and having fun.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Lorilea Zabadal 
 
17 September 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I recently completed 6 months at Rio&Learn with the student visa package and couldn’t be happier with my experience. Not only did I achieve my goal of being comfortable speaking Portuguese with anyone in Brazil, but I also made incredible new friends and had tons of fun along the way! Rio&Learn's methodology gets you speaking Portuguese from day one — and trust me, it’s enforced (writing this in English only for future students — don’t be mad, Dani!). The process is based on “fun learning,” with realistic, everyday conversations. This is not a traditional academic setting; instead, in addition to a grammatical basis, you really learn through speaking, games, and exploring the city. The RioLive activities, coordinated by Diogo, are perfect for making friends and discovering places in Rio while practicing Portuguese. As an in-person student, I had classes from 9 am to 1 pm every weekday with a small group (around 2-6 people), which made conversations easier and more interactive. There are also online, private, and immersion options for those who need a different format. The school is conveniently located just off Copacabana beach, in a safe, vibrant area, with offsite activities frequently supplementing classes - for example, visiting a café while learning relevant vocabulary, speaking with locals in the park, or a visit to a nearby grocery store. The professors each bring their own creativity and teaching style, which keeps the lessons dynamic and fun. You’re exposed to different accents, themes, and speaking speeds, which I found really accelerated my learning. Huge thanks to Amandinha, Amandoca, Ana Paola, Dani, Diogo, Filipe, Julie, Leandra, Madu, and the rest of the team for making my time in Brazil so memorable! I started with just a few basic words (olá, obrigada, bom dia) and within a month, I was at an intermediate level. After about 10 more weeks, I reached an advanced level and now feel confident speaking Portuguese with Brasileiros. My goal was to speak fluidly if not fluently, and Rio&Learn helped me achieve that. The school offers great value, especially with the visa program, and I received incredible support through the whole administrative process (big shoutout to Dayane!). I enjoyed it so much that I even extended my time by 6 weeks! I highly recommend Rio&Learn to anyone wanting to learn Portuguese in a fun, supportive, and cultural environment in the heart of Rio de Janeiro!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Derland Ellison 
 
13 September 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I had a wonderful time a Rio & Learn. I was there only a week, but wanted to learn a little bit of something to make a my trip worth while.  The teachers are well verse in Portuguese, Dani is the hardest. She was hard on me...LOL. They only want you speak Portuguese while at the school, understandably so. So try to know a little bit of Portuguese before enrolling. You can thank me later. Next time I will enroll online first, then take in person course once getting there. Also, they have activities after class. You can really see a lot of Rio that tourist don't see. And you get to meet plenty of people and use the language you are being taught. One day, I will stay for months.... I hope.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Daniel Lima 
 
31 August 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Descubrí Rio&Learn a través de las redes sociales y decidí adquirir un paquete de 3 meses, con 2 horas diarias de clases completamente remotas. Gracias a la flexibilidad horaria, pude asistir a las clases por la tarde, lo cual fue muy conveniente para mí. Comencé desde cero y estoy muy satisfecho con el progreso que he logrado. Las clases siempre fueron dinámicas y participativas, sin nada de aprendizaje pasivo. Siempre tuve oportunidades para conversar y mejorar mis habilidades. Todos los profesores dejaron una impresión positiva en mí, pero en particular quiero destacar a la profesora Monique. Su habilidad para enseñar y guiar al grupo hizo una gran diferencia en mi experiencia de aprendizaje. Recomiendo Rio&Learn y, especialmente, las clases con Monique, a cualquiera que busque mejorar sus habilidades de manera efectiva y agradable.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Katherine Henriquez 
 
13 August 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I love Rio & Learn. I have been enrolled for almost 5 months and my Portuguese has improved a lot. I started without any knowledge of Portuguese and now I'm been able to have and understand a conversation which this means a lot for me. Also, I started in the small online group classes and then I switched to private one on one class which allow me to receive 100% attention and support from the professor. I like both methods, but I prefer to have my one on one time. All the professors are great, but now I'm taking classes with Igor and I love how great he is. He has a lot of petience with me, and he always makes sure that I fully understand the material before moving to the next topic. He also helps me to improve my pronunciation in every class. Thanks Igor for all the help. There are also a lot of others knowledgeable professors like Nathalia and Sabrina who has been very supportive in this learning experiece. Thanks Ladies for the support. I highly recommend Rio & Learn if you are thinking to learn or improve your Portuguese 💚
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Filip Andrzej Porębski (Valente) 
 
1 August 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I had the pleasure of attending Rio&Learn for four weeks, and my language skills improved immensely during this time. The teaching method is incredibly enjoyable, blending traditional classroom learning with immersive experiences in Rio, allowing us to learn the language in a firsthand, practical way. The teachers are dedicated, skilled, and genuinely nice, making the learning experience both effective and fun. Diogo, in particular, added a special touch to the classes with his enthusiasm and expertise. All the other teachers are also fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed every class I had with each of them. The RioLIVE! volunteer activities after classes are a fantastic way to explore the city, do some touristy and off-the-beaten-path activities, all while continuing to practice Portuguese. Meeting other students was a fantastic part of the experience. I formed amazing new friendships, which made the whole journey even more enjoyable. Overall, I absolutely loved my time at Rio&Learn and highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve their Portuguese in a dynamic and supportive environment!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Alejandro Gonzalez Ruiz 
 
10 July 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I had an amazing experience at Rio & Learn. The activities, combined with great professors, made learning Portuguese enjoyable and effective. One of my favorite things is their methodology, since you can engage in conversations with locals, participate in several activities, and practice speaking in real-life situations. This approach not only boosts your confidence but also accelerates your fluency in the language. In addition to that I have the following and more specific comments: Positive Points: •	Experienced Instructors: The teachers are not just language instructors; they are individuals with a broad cultural background, a passion for their work, and, most importantly, kind, patient and friendly people who truly care about their students. Julie, Madu, Amanda, Ana Paula, Leandra, Amandonca, Filipe, and Diogo were fundamental in my education, and I hope to maintain their friendship forever. •	Location: Perfectly situated at Copacabana Beach, providing a vibrant and inspiring environment for learning Portuguese. •	Rio Lives: Offers excellent opportunities for cultural activities, playing sports, and visit multiple touristic spots. So, you are basically developing you speaking skills for more than 6 hours per day. Area of Improvement: •	Payment: I would like the teachers to receive allowances (or they expenses reimbursed) to go out more with the students, covering their drinks, food, and Uber (so they can return home  quickly and safely). Sometimes they make an extra effort to take care of us, accompany us to different places, and spend more time with us. All of this involves expenses, and in a way, they are working because they take care of us and we practice Portuguese.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Kanin Thangpanyawai 
 
17 June 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I highly recommend this portuguese school. They have a strong principle which does not allow all teachers speak english to keep and build the environment in portuguese. They alternate teachers in a week that students would see 2-3 teachers in order to practice. I also recommend one of my teachers namely Amanda ; she is professional. She prepares some social media posts everyday to teach us that the Brazilians use in real life : Slang words, social media updated words. Sometimes she uses brazilian portuguese music to teach. I like this way. 🙂
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Tom Hancock 
 
30 May 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I am so glad to do Rio and Learn. The teachers are all so kind and thorough each week, paying good attention to how well I get it and are patient. Sabrina was my teacher this week and was so helpful and fun…. It helps so much when I review and practice between lessons.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Jennifer Rubin 
 
27 May 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
The professors are amazing and wonderful. I took one on one virtual classes for five weeks before my trip to Brazil to meet my in laws. The teachers tailored the lessons to simple phrases, travel and basics. Loved the course. The scheduling was easy and the all the professors, Dani, Sabrina and Igor were wonderful. Price is affordable if you’re paying in USD.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Shahan Mir 
 
23 May 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I’ve been taking online classes and love the learning experience! Monique (professora) has been very helpful, attentive and  encouraging. I like that I’m force to speak in Portuguese and work with other students so we can help each other.  The lessons are well planned and curriculum is shared ahead of time to review and practice.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 JINTU MONI 
 
9 May 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
The ideal location for learning Portuguese in a short period of time.I had sessions with Natalia and Igor, both of whom are excellent teachers who encourage you to continue learning and speaking Portuguese.My classes are enjoyable for me.For foreigners, it is always recommended.I will give extra 5 points for my teachers.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Stefan Ferreira-Pedersen 
 
22 February 2024
 
 
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Kæmpe stor ros til denne skole. Skal du lære Portugisisk, har de min største anbefaling. Fair pris. Og min lære Nathália er super fantastisk. Jeg er helt vild med det. Eu amo aulas de português . Português é muito fácil 😂😂
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Nicholas Jaeger 
 
30 January 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I spent two weeks taking Portuguese courses at the Rio&Learn language school located in Copacabana. Due to only having two weeks in Rio, I decided to take the Immersion classes, which meant I spent 6 hours daily 1:1 with a teacher. The "classes" are structured to help you learn Portuguese in real-world settings. Rather than sitting in a classroom, the school would plan daily activities for me to explore Rio with my teacher and design relevant lesson plans based on that day's activities. To provide a couple examples: one day we went to a street market to learn about the different fruits and vegetables, try the fruits/vegetables, and practice speaking with the vendors; another day we went to the Christ the Redeemer Statue and walked around a park, all while speaking 100% in Portuguese. My primary teacher was Paulo, but I also spent a few days with Ana Paula and Diogo. All three teachers were great, and I enjoyed having a mix of teachers because of their different styles. My time with Rio&Learn was amazing, and I couldn't recommend it enough, especially as a solo traveler. It was like having Portuguese Teachers and Tour Guides all-in-one. Not to mention, I was able to meet other students from all over the world who were also there learning Portuguese. Although I wasn't in their group classes (because I was in my 1:1 Immersion program), I usually joined the groups in the afternoon/evening for additional learning/exploring activities in the city. I consider my trip to Rio to be my favorite trip of my life, and I recommend Rio&Learn to anyone that wants to learn Portuguese!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 Yara-Colette 
 
12 January 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Diese Schule ist einzigartig! Ich habe seit vier Wochen online-Unterricht mit den Lehrerinnen Monique, Ana Carolina und Sabrina. Alle drei sind sehr geduldig und vermitteln den Stoff professionell und mit viel Humor. Der Fokus der Schule liegt auf Konversation, alle Übungen zielen darauf ab, dass die Studenten und Studentinnen sprechen, und zwar ausschließlich portugiesisch! Das kann eine große Herausforderung sein, führt aber oft auch zu witzigen Situationen. Die Lehrerinnen scheuen keine Mühe Begriffe und Grammatik so lange zu umschreiben, oft auch mit Bildern oder kleinen Videos, bis alle verstanden haben, worum es geht. Das  Lehrmaterial außerhalb des Unterrichts ist umfangreich und grandios. Spiele, Chats, eine aktive WhatsUp-community, Filme, Übungen und die täglichen Dica do Dia ermöglichen tägliches Lernen, auch wenn man „nur“ den Part-Time Kurs (2 x 2 Stunden pro Woche) gewählt hat. Ich freue mich auf die Zeit wenn ich die Schule vor Ort in Rio besuchen kann, um an den zahlreichen Aktivitäten, die nach dem Unterricht angeboten werden, teilnehmen zu können. Wer intensiv und mit viel Spaß portugiesisch lernen möchte, gehe zu Rio & Learn. Vielen Dank!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
 
 
 
 
 David Fisher 
 
15 December 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
The private online courses are great.  Monique is a wonderful instructor..
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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