Native Portuguese, living in Australia, who loves to read, write and teach. Words are a passion. I'll help you to learn more about my language and culture. Always fun classes with peculiar curiosities

Find out more about Lourenço

• 1) Did you grow up speaking this language? Or were you inspired by a trip abroad, an individual or a certain aspect of the culture?

  Yes, I grew up speaking Portuguese — I’m a native speaker from Portugal. From an early age, I was surrounded by the richness of my language. In school, Portuguese literature quickly became one of my greatest passions, and it was during my university years that the desire to teach truly took root.

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

  There are many figures who beautifully embody the spirit of Portuguese culture, but if I had to choose just one, it would be Eça de Queirós. His contributions to literature are immense; his works are cornerstones of our language, capturing both the brightest and darkest sides of our culture — from love and longing to sorrow and regret.

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

  The word “saudade” is, for me, the very soul of our country. It’s a uniquely Portuguese term that doesn’t translate neatly into other languages. It describes a profound sense of longing or nostalgia — missing someone, someplace or something so intensely that it shapes who we are.

• 4) Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Speaking and sharing my language is a way of opening a window into Portuguese culture and its many subtleties. I believe that when we learn each other’s languages, traditions and beliefs, we create a more understanding and respectful world.

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

  Portuguese is often challenging for native English speakers, largely because of its wide range of sounds. With consistent practice and repetition, though, learners improve remarkably, no matter where they’re from. Grasping gender and number agreements — applied across pronouns, adjectives, articles and nouns — can also be tricky, as it requires rethinking how words relate.

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

  As a child, I really struggled to pronounce the Portuguese “LH” sound. It made me quite self-conscious for a time. But with patience and lots of practice, I mastered it — and now I help learners of all ages overcome similar hurdles, often much faster than I did!

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

  Moving to Australia, and travelling all over the world, gave me a deeper appreciation for my mother tongue and its richness. I’ve loved finding ways to weave Portuguese into conversations and sharing our unique ways of expressing ourselves with English speakers.