Can in Portuguese – A Dica do Dia, Free Portuguese Classes

 
  
 
 
 
  
I would absolutely recommend this school to anyone who is serious about learning Portuguese. Learning a language can be very challenging, and everyone learns differently. Because of that, it’s important to trust the process and ask your professor as many questions as you need. I was able to learn much faster than I imagined, thanks to Antonio.67 He was always attentive during class and would ask me follow-up questions about the learning materials to make sure I understood what we were learning. Speaking of the learning materials, I really enjoyed the lesson plans. I was able to learn useful Portuguese and actually use what I learned in everyday conversations. If there’s one thing I would have wanted more of from my experience, it would be more time in class to review previous lessons and areas where I felt I was struggling. Sometimes the lessons can feel like they move pretty quickly. That being said, trust the process, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to speak! Thank you, Rio & Learn, for such a great experience! ❤️
  
 
  
  
 
 
                  
 
  
I’ve just finished my three-week solo trip to Brazil, and I can honestly say that choosing Rio & Learn was one of the best decisions I made. When I arrived in Brazil, I was very nervous about speaking Portuguese. I understood more than I could speak, and I was afraid of making mistakes. From the very first day, the teachers and everyone at the school created such a welcoming and supportive environment that I quickly gained the confidence to push myself and speak more every day. They made learning fun and encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. I would recommend Rio & Learn to anyone coming to Rio, no matter your level of Portuguese. The school offers the perfect balance between learning the language and experiencing Brazilian culture. The classes are engaging, and the daily activities allow you to explore the city, meet incredible people from all over the world, and make memories that will last a lifetime. More than just a language school, Rio & Learn feels like a community. I arrived alone, but I'm leaving with new friends, unforgettable experiences, and much more confidence in my Portuguese. A huge thank you to all the teachers, staff, and students for making these three weeks so special. I hope to see you all again one day!
  
 
  
 
 
 Daniel Sundqvist 
 
26 July 2026
 
 
 
 
     
 
  
Total disappointment, I left a good review and I have to change it, I'll share my complete experience: I need to completely change my previous review. Unfortunately, after leaving the immersion program, my experience with the Institute was very different and I was deeply disappointed. What bothered me most was noticing a lack of cultural respect in some situations, especially towards Argentinians. We are proudly Latin American, and I didn't expect this kind of attitude from a Brazilian institution that works precisely with language, culture, and exchange. I also find the way some discussions are conducted in the WhatsApp group contradictory: some people can express strong opinions, but when someone responds or presents a different viewpoint, that same freedom doesn't seem to be accepted. I am very proud to be Argentinian and of my Latin American identity. I believe in cultural exchange, but it needs to happen with respect, listening, and appreciation of different cultures, without a sense of superiority or idealization of others. My first experience during the immersion program was positive, which is why I wrote a favorable review at that time, even after a request from the Institute itself. However, after subsequent events, my perception changed completely. For these reasons, I can no longer recommend the Institute. After this experience, I believe that the institution does not represent the cultural respect and exchange that should exist in a space dedicated to the Portuguese language. Furthermore, I noticed a strong focus on English and little on Spanish, which I consider a major limitation for Latin American students seeking to learn Portuguese. My recommendation is to exercise caution before choosing this institution.
(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
  
 
 
 Camila Valeria 
 
20 July 2026
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
I spent five weeks at Rio&Learn. I quickly learned the basics of Portuguese, which helped me get by in everyday life here in Rio and to meet and chat with new people during my trip around Brazil. The group classes are small, with a maximum of six students. This is perfect for everyone to participate and practice speaking. Sometimes we go on an immersive outing during class to practice speaking in a shop, a café, or on Copacabana beach. In the afternoons, there are organized activities that allow us to continue practicing the language, but also to make friends with other students, while visiting Rio or taking a dance class or playing footvolley on the beach. Thanks to the amazing teachers Amyna, Alanis, Rapha, Yasmin, Antônio, and Thalles! The teachers are fantastic, friendly, and always motivated, even when we're struggling and tired! And let's not forget Thomas, who greets us every morning with a smile, always attentive to the students, and ready to offer advice on life in Brazil (visas, travel, daily life, etc.). I felt right at home here. It was a pleasure to come to school every day. I met amazing people from all over the world, with whom I went out, spent weekends, and continued exploring Rio outside of class. For me, it was a fantastic experience, so I highly recommend Rio&Learn to start learning Portuguese, meet new people, and discover Rio, "a cidade maravilhosa"!
(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
  
 
 
 Claire Moissard 
 
10 July 2026
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
I will return to this school without hesitation every time I come back to Rio! I spent several weeks at this Portuguese school and I can only recommend it. The teaching method is truly incredible: we learn without even feeling like we're in a school; everything happens naturally, dynamically, and interactively. Progress is real and fast, even after just a few weeks. The teachers are excellent, very didactic, patient, and always motivating. The environment is also a great differentiator: welcoming, friendly, and international, making you feel comfortable from day one. In addition to classes, the proposed activities allow you to practice the language in real-life situations while discovering the local culture. It's a truly enriching human and linguistic experience 🥰 A perfect school to learn Portuguese while living an unforgettable experience!
(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
  
  
 
 
   
 
  
I spent four weeks at Rio&Learn and want to be honest about both what worked and what didn't, because the second part matters more than a star rating captures. On the language side: the in-person group format helped me build a social circle in Rio quickly, which I valued. We laughed every single day in class. But for $800–900, my grammar and speaking didn't progress meaningfully more than they would have with cheap online private lessons. The "live learnings" outside the classroom were underplanned — one ended in a dead-end alleyway, another just involved baking in the Rio mid-day heat on the beach. In frequent debates that were intended to get students to talk about complex topics, our teacher talked over students rather than facilitating and frequently these conversations turned into her diatribes about what she was most passionate about. In private lessons, I asked a teacher named Rafaela to correct my written journal in Portuguese, an approach a previous teacher had agreed to, and she seriously resisted. These are service-quality issues a prospective student should weigh against the price. The harder part: the classroom environment had constant sexual undertones. In one class we were asked to rate the attractiveness of teachers, which all my classmates and I refused to accept this assignment. One teacher showed an image of a strap-on when the class had explicitly asked her not to bring that kind of content in. She started to show us on the computer, but when students got up and covered the screen, she decided against that, and instead showed us a pink strap-on from her phone. Hmmm how do I make this next comment without my review being banned? This same teacher also made a comment that straight men wanting to be a receptive partner is inappropriate — language that read as homophobic to me and to others in the room. The incident I also want future students to know about involved Albert, who manages the school. He approached me for using the private bathroom stall marked for females when the one marked for males was being used. As a queer person, I don't identify so strongly with these gender norms. He compared me to his own kid, suggesting that I wouldn't be able to use a female's bathroom cleanly. I pushed back in the moment, but the encounter stayed with me — every subsequent bathroom trip on the premises, I thought about him. I couldn't shake this deeply disturbing encounter. If you are queer and considering Rio&Learn, I'd want you to know this before you enroll. There are many ways to learn Portuguese in Rio. This one came with a cost beyond tuition.
  
 
  
 
 
 Charles Orgbon III 
 
26 May 2026
 
 
 
 
          
 
  
Before the negatives, I wanted to say that I believe this school has good intentions and that it could work for some people. The neighborhood was very safe and conveniently located. That said, I strongly agree with some of the points made in other recent low ratings. Since I speak Spanish fluently and I studied Portuguese for a year in university 10 years ago, I thought private lessons would be most effective for me. My slightly unusual combination of strengths and weaknesses in the language made me concerned about fitting in well with one of the group classes - regardless of where they placed me. In the end, I chose Rio & Immersion and I was very excited for it. Going around the city with the teachers and visiting museums was really unique and special and I learned a lot about Brazilian history, culture and art. But the two teachers I had were unwilling (incapable?) to actually explain or teach more advanced grammar. It’s great to emphasize speaking but without some more proper/traditional instruction integrated into the program, I’m not sure how anyone could learn to speak proper Portuguese. Also, because Brazilians are the kindest people I’ve ever met traveling (seriously they are incredible), I have a feeling that they cut foreigners a lot of slack when it comes to making mistakes while speaking. This makes me wonder how well most students actually leave being able to speak despite their own glowing self-assessments and the “certificates” given out by the school. I understand that studying the more complicated grammar of a language isn’t the most fun thing to do, but learning a language properly is hard and that is a necessary part of it. My final straw was when I was told to “not worry about the subjunctive”… then after begging (forcing) them to put me back in a classroom, I was given an absolutely pathetic lesson on the subjunctive in Portuguese. The teacher was reading everything directly off the PowerPoint and wasn’t able to answer spontaneous questions I had about the topic. I booked a flight during my lunch break and flew home that same night. Both teachers I had were not professional educators but instead nice, educated young Brazilians that were working there while studying/looking for another job in another field as soon as possible. Maybe my initial instinct to do private lessons was misguided as it seemed like those students had a lot of fun with each other (but did they actually learn good Portuguese beyond an intermediate conversational level)? Just a guess, but I kind of doubt it. My final verdict is that this school could be a great match for total beginners and also perhaps some more advanced students who fit neatly in a “box”. But for someone looking for a customized plan like what I described earlier, I suggest that you to look elsewhere. (Additional info: I attended the school in March of 2025 just after carnival. I didn’t want my review to negatively affect my second teacher because she was very kind and tried her best with me. I worried that they could get in trouble with the intense manager but now enough time has passed and I imagine they have both moved on.)
  
 
  
 
 
 Jake Weiss 
 
7 January 2026
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
I'm going to give my review in Spanish for the Latin American students who want to go to this school. What did I think? Well, from my experience, it was incredible! The people who work at the school were so kind to me and even helped me with a little problem I had before returning to Argentina. The teachers? They were amazing. I had two: Kesia and Eduardo (Dudu), and their classes were so dynamic and fun, and above all, they answered every question I had about the Portuguese language. Besides that, they were so friendly and kind to me. Although my stay was only two weeks, I felt the warmth of every member of the school, and that's something you don't find everywhere. The school is small, but there's an abundance of love for teaching and helping in any way they can. The support is constant. From my perspective: thank you all for everything. I hope to return soon because I really want to go back. I'm not giving it more stars because there aren't any, but for anyone who wants to have a really nice experience in Rio while sightseeing and learning Portuguese, Rio & Learn is the right place.
(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
  
 
 
 Elena Valenci 
 
15 December 2025
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
If you’re looking to take classes at Rio & Learn for just a week and explore Rio, then this school can be a fine option. However, if your goal is to seriously advance your Portuguese fluency, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. Make sure to read the reviews before making a decision—the older ones, unfortunately, still reflect what’s happening today. The curriculum doesn’t seem to have evolved, and classes often feel random and lacking in depth. If you stay for an extended period, be prepared to repeat the same material more than once. It’s clear that the teachers genuinely want to teach useful content, but they’re limited by a rigid structure they’re required to follow. Many of them end up leaving or being let go—I saw around six teachers leave or be fired within just three months. They do their best, but it’s tough to watch their motivation fade over time. Overall, the experience isn’t terrible for short stays, but for long-term learning or serious progress, I’d look for a more consistent and well-structured program.
  
 
  
 
 
 Trevor Tardanico 
 
2 December 2025
 
 
 
 
               
 
  
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.
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
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.
  
 
  
 
 
 Zuhe Gonzalez Romagosa 
 
4 April 2025
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
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?
  
 
  
 
 
 Ola Maria Rosiak 
 
18 March 2025
 
 
 
 
       
 
  
I spent a month taking classes with Rio&learn and it was a truly unforgettable experience. The classes are small so they are very focused on each student, and they are also extremely interactive and dynamic. You are always learning in different ways. Every day there are activities such as going out to talk to Brazilians at the beach or the park and putting into practice what you have seen in class, listening to how the natives speak and learning more about Brazil. All the teachers, supervisors and school staff are friendly, creative and wonderful people, the truth is that you start to feel as if the school were a whole family. Alle, Gabriel and Marcelle were the teachers with whom I took the most classes and all three were professionals with a lot of organization and a desire to teach the language in a way full of love and enthusiasm. Their way of teaching spreads the joy of learning Portuguese. I congratulate all their methodologies because with them you learn a lot but they also make you want to continue learning even more. The RioLive after-class activities are very useful to enjoy Brazilian culture and stay in touch with it. I had the opportunity to attend Sambodromo during the carnival season, go to Pão de açúcar, Ilha da Gigóia, explore Botafogo, play volleyball on Copacabana beach and much more. I would sincerely recommend RIO&LEARN to anyone interested in learning Portuguese, it is a school unlike any other, you will not regret going!!!
(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
I had the pleasure of learning Portuguese for 11 weeks with the Rio ONLINE team, and it was an amazing experience! I had classes twice a week for two hours, and I genuinely enjoyed every moment. I started as a beginner with some knowledge from other Latin languages like Spanish and Italian, and I was already a bit familiar with Brazilian Portuguese. After a few weeks, I was thrilled to move up to the intermediate level. The classes were focused on spoken language, with each session covering two grammar topics. They also offer homework to help improve writing skills, but I didn’t take advantage of it because of my limited time. Now, at the end of my course, I’m super proud to say I can have conversations in Portuguese! My listening and speaking skills have improved so much. The online teachers are fantastic—knowledgeable, supportive, and most importantly, fun! They knew exactly what I needed to focus on and made every class enjoyable. I was always looking forward to the next lesson. I’ll most likely continue my classes after my trip to Brazil. Highly recommend!
  
 
  
 
 
 Sandra S 
 
29 November 2024
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
My experience with this language school started off positively: friendly staff, small classes, and a lively teaching approach. The afternoon activities were well-organized, varied, and a good way to meet others and practice Portuguese. However, issues became clear quickly. The "beginners" class wasn’t suitable for true beginners—everything was taught in Portuguese with no English explanations, translations, or support. If you’re starting from scratch, it’s a tough place to begin. The school’s approach to feedback also felt off. They require you to fill out reviews during your classes, which makes it awkward to be completely honest. Additionally, they take photos without clear consent and post them widely on social media. I was also quoted in one post—using my name—without any approval, which felt inappropriate. The private classes were a real disappointment. I paid extra in the second week, hoping for a tailored experience, only to find we were using the exact same slides and examples from the first week. No new material was introduced, making the extra cost feel unjustified. As for the weekend activities, I’d advise caution. I paid $200 for a mountain hike, but the pace was not adjusted for slower participants. I’d mentioned not feeling well, yet still ended up hiking alone for most of the trip. Also, if you’re vegetarian, save yourself the hassle and skip the paid activities. Despite repeatedly mentioning my dietary needs, I found myself hungry and struggling to find options. There were either no vegetarian choices or barely anything to eat at all. Overall, while the school has some positives, the experience left me disappointed.
  
 
  
 
 
 Vanessa King 
 
5 November 2024
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
I am currently taking a 3 month course of Brazilian Portuguese with Rio & Learn Portuguese School, whilst being based in the UK.  This is my third time using this school having completed a set of online classes last year, and I also attended some classes in person at the school in Copacabana when I was lucky enough to be in Brazil on holiday. I am really happy with the course, and find the school to be well run, professional and creative in relation to its approach to teaching and the materials used by the teachers. The classes are small and all students have ample (and equal) opportunity to  contribute to the class.  The material varies between videos, general conversation, written texts, music, grammar sessions etc.  The lessons cover not only the formal and grammatical aspects of the language but also the informal portuguese you are likely to hear from native speakers in their day to day speech. The small group of teachers rotate, therefore you have the opportunity to hear native speakers of different genders, regions of Brazil etc. I feel that my portuguese is improving and I am looking forward to putting it to the test when I return to Brazil next year. Thank you Rio & Learn.  Keep doing what you are doing!
  
 
  
 
 
 Catherine Gibbs 
 
19 September 2024
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
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!
  
 
  
 
 
 Lorilea Zabadal 
 
17 September 2024
 
 
 
 
              
 
  
I've been taking online classes with Rio & Learn for about three months now. It's been a great experience! The staff and teachers are all so friendly and will always make you feel welcome. I've been to other language schools before (for Spanish and for French), but I like that Rio & Learn feels more structured than other schools. There is still the element of conversation style classes that makes learning more enjoyable, but they do a good job of incorporating specific new vocabulary or a new grammar topic into that conversation style lesson. Additionally, while I haven't been able to participate (the time zone is a little difficult since I live in Japan), they offer online activities outside of classes that are free to join! The online activities (called Rio Online) are offered every day and cover a range of topics. Simple things like playing a game together, to more advanced topics discussing the merits of religion in Brazil, etc. As well, some language schools feel like the students are primarily from one region of the globe, but I've loved that Rio & Learn truly has students from all over the world. While I've certainly learned a lot about Brazil and Lusophone culture, my classmates have been from every corner of the world, and I've been able to learn a lot about them and their countries which has been very enjoyable. Not to mention, the teachers are from various regions of Brazil, too, so you learn a lot more about Brazil than just Rio. I've never had a class with more than four students, and more often than none, it's just been me and one other student and our teaching, meaning you get a lot of personalized attention and you really get to know the teachers and your fellow students on a personal level. Thank you so much, Rio & Learn for making learning Portuguese so enjoyable. Muito obrigado!
  
 
  
 
 
 Benjamin Takahashi (髙橋重遠) 
 
15 August 2024
 
 
 
 
      
 
  
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!
  
 
  
 
 
 Filip Andrzej Porębski (Valente) 
 
1 August 2024
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
I had a great time studying with Rio & Learn for 5 weeks. The best part about this school are by far the teachers. They have a wonderful team of friendly, funny, dedicated teachers who are a pleasure to learn with. Shout out to Amanda V who took our class for the most lessons, she is a wonderful teacher and because of this I chose to follow some extra classes after my group sessions finished. I also enjoyed my classes with Madu and Julie. This school is a great place to meet other students, there is lots of time for socialising, and of course the extracurricular activities after school during the week are a nice way to explore what Rio has to offer while practising the Portuguese you have learnt during the day. The teaching method is good for beginners who just want to navigate Brazil and be able to converse with locals. The focus is on speaking, colloquialisms, local culture and daily life. There isn't much focus on grammar or writing, and the lessons begin to repeat themselves after a while, so if you want to get to an expert level you will need to find some extra options. I'm not a big fan of their attitude on money. For example, I first purchased a full day immersion (6 hours for €170) which came with lunch. After lunch, we went to a beach kiosk, and I was told that the immersion didn't include my coconut water or the drink for the teacher, so I paid for both. Not a big deal, but it's just the vibe that it creates after spending so much money on the day already. Also, if you buy 4 weeks of classes and want (for example) another 4 weeks, they will not give you the 8-week price even though you have been at the school 8 weeks, you have to pay the 4-week price again. Lastly the weekend activities are a huge rip-off, it's either R$200 or R$250 and you can only pay in cash for some reason which is annoying. I went to a football match which cost me R$250 and included the ticket which was worth R$70, so you end up paying R$180 for one of the teachers to escort you there and watch the game with you and the other students.
  
 
  
 
 
 Daniel Pernet 
 
18 July 2024
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
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.
  
 
  
 
 
 Alejandro Gonzalez Ruiz 
 
10 July 2024
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
This school is fine if you are a tourist and are only going to stay for a week or two, and want something to do. If you are an exchange student, have a temporary job here, digital nomad or a foreigner that moved to Brazil, or actually want learn the language, then look elsewhere. You will never achieve fluency in Portuguese because of this school. The content of this school is terrible. It is constantly repeating itself, and not in the "this is a review" way. More in the "we didn't create enough material so here are the same exact slides with the same exact examples from last week." They want to focus on "making learning fun" and think that means leaving the school to have class in, for example, a restaurant, or a clothing store or the post office etc. They do this multiple times a week. Completely diminishes the quality of education and forces you to spend money you never agreed to. They offer a package called the "6 month Brazil student visa." After four and a half months, they told me that my course was over and when I asked for a pro-rated refund (for the month and a half of classes they refused to provide, they refused) The owner of the school is not Brazilian, barely speaks Portuguese and is pretty much invisible to the students, even though his office is right next to all the classrooms. He runs on a customer model of "fast in, fast out." The new director follows this model and plays fake nice to get you to like her and the school. Most students that I have talked to leave dissatisfied and the teachers are treated very poorly by the administration. (the school has a 1.5 rating on Glassdoor) Two weeks of group classes costs more than the monthly salary that the teachers earn. The reason this school has such good reviews online is because within the first week you're there, the administration pushes you to write a review. The reason I am giving 2 stars, instead of 1 star is because the teachers are very good, knowledgeable and skilled at teaching. They are there to correct pronunciation, grammar mistakes, and make the best out of the terrible content that they are provided and asked to teach.
  
 
  
 
 
 Trevor Moynagh 
 
16 June 2024
 
 
 
 
            
 
  
Here is an honest review, with pros and cons of my 3 weeks experience at Rio en Learn with the group classes of 4 hours a day. I will start with the good part (teachers!), then the bad part (management!) and I will end with some things to take into consideration when choosing a school (neither good nor bad, but good to know) First of all, big appreciation to the teachers I had during these 3 weeks: Felipe, Diogo, José, Wanessa and Julie do a really good job and classes with them were always fun! The classes are organized, the teachers are enthusiastic and the school organizes an activity 6 days a week, so you never get bored. The atmosphere at the school is also good and all the teachers and staff know you by name. What unfortunately did shine through is that the management is failing. Two out of three weeks we sat in a very hot classroom. The first week was manageable because we were 4 students + 1 teacher. But the following week we had 7 students + 1 teacher and then it was unbearable in the room. First of all, it is strange that there were 7 students, while it was promised that there would be a maximum of 6, but especially the heat in the classroom made the classes unbearable. And that is a waste of the good work of the teachers. A simple rotating fan would already help a lot. Just go to the store, checkout the fan, put it in the classroom and we would have been happy. However, this didn't happen. According to the staff, they had "done everything they could." But of course they mean "we did everything management allowed us to do." The fact that an employee cannot just go to the store to buy an essential object for your student's progress and satisfaction, says a lot about how management thinks of its employees! Also, not all technology worked properly: A keyboard with huge delays, for example. Furthermore, I never saw the owner of the school either, so that says something about how involved he/she is with the school. As icing on the cake, 3 teachers left in one month. I think something is wrong then? (rethorical question) It's unfortunate because the school feels very small, but both me and my fellow students have occasionally run into ridiculous bureaucratic problems that should not happen in a school of this size. Now onto the things to consider when choosing a school: - If you speak decent Spanish already, the pace of the subject are probably too slow. (4 hours again to learn the difference between Ser and Estar is not necessary for people who speak Spanish already). If you don't know Spanish already, I think the pace is fine. - There is no homework. Some people will love this, other do not. - The school organizes many activities. This is both the familiar tourist stuff, but also less familiar tourist stuff. I liked it, but it always felt like a "big" activity to do that takes a lot of energy. Because of this, there were always fairly few people at the activities as well. I think an activity like lunch/dinner together is a lot more approachable and more people will come. This also allows students to interact with other students from the school as well. As the school is really small, there is not really space inside to meet everyone. - The class material exists of powerpoints. The powerpoints are always sent to you in the weekend before your class starts. Please keep in mind that this school does not offer schoolbooks. A school book would give me more overview in my mind, however it takes up space in a backpack or a suitcase. So think about whether you like this or not :) Hope this will help you making your decision!
  
 
  
 
 
 Cerine Bouber 
 
6 April 2024
 
 
 
 
              
 
  
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!
  
 
  
 
 
 Nicholas Jaeger 
 
30 January 2024
 
 
 
 
        
 
  
I'm in my sixth week of studying with Rio & Learn group classes, and am having a wonderful experience. From the moment I walked through the door the school has felt comfortable and inviting. The professors and students have positively impacted my Rio experience in a huge way, making it feel like I have community here. This is my first time learning a second language, and coming into the classes I only knew how to say "hello" and "thank you". To be honest, I consider myself a bit of a slow learner, so it's been quite difficult, but six weeks in and I've seen enough progress that I can sort through the basic conversations needed for life in Rio. The classes rotate through instructors, so you're constantly getting fresh perspectives and approaches throughout the learning process. Additionally, each day after class the school organizes a "RioLive" which are essentially field trips to different spots around the city. They're great opportunities to utilize the lessons of the day in real-world settings, while getting to know your fellow students. I'm enrolled for another few weeks, and am excited to see where I'll be at by the end!
  
 
  
 
 
 Wade Rimstad 
 
13 January 2024
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
This school is unique! I have been taking online lessons with teachers Monique, Ana Carolina and Sabrina for four weeks. All three are very patient and convey the material professionally and with a lot of humor. The school's focus is on conversation, all exercises are aimed at getting the students to speak, and exclusively in Portuguese! This can be a big challenge, but often leads to funny situations. The teachers spare no effort to paraphrase terms and grammar, often with pictures or short videos, until everyone understands what it's about. The teaching material outside of class is extensive and fantastic. Games, chats, an active WhatsUp community, films, exercises and the daily Dica do Dia enable daily learning, even if you have “only” chosen the part-time course (2 x 2 hours per week). I look forward to the time when I can visit the local school in Rio to take part in the many activities that are offered after class. If you want to learn Portuguese intensively and with a lot of fun, go to Rio & Learn. Thank you!
(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
  
 
 
 Yara-Colette 
 
12 January 2024
 
 
 
 
                    
 
  
It's really fantastic...RioAndLearn. The Portuguese classes...really worth it. The classes take place from Monday to Friday, (from 9am to 1pm) and in the afternoon, they are free group activities. (Beach soccer, volleyball, excursions, visits to tourist sites, etc.) Friday night, we went to Lapa, a nightlife district of Rio. It's something to see! Streets crowded with people, orchestras, discos...Hello decibels! Learning Portuguese is done through immersion, both in the classroom and in the outdoor activities organized by Rio&Learn. We are immersed in the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture.... Forced to speak Portuguese....🫡 I recommend it. Pierre Pedro, Montreal, Canada
(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
  
 
 
 M54 “M5454” 54 
 
3 December 2023
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
Ola galera. Professors 5 stars, school 3.5 stars unfortunately. I took around 32 hours of private business classes. The professors are all superb. They are friendly, knowledgeable and qualified. Majority of my classes were with Jose Araujo and I can only speak the very best of him. Super teacher and knows other languages that come at hand if you need assistance. However, if you are a foreigner professional and works from 9am to 5pm, you are out of luck because they don't have any group classes in the school after 6pm.   Therefore, your only chance is the private business class. However, the curriculum that the school built around me at times felt unclear and that it lacked a structure. For example, in my last class is where we went over the numbers and polite phrases instead of that being the first class haha. I also wish they could offer some discounts. At times I also felt I needed to guide and tailor my own curriculum, otherwise there was no clear or progressive path. The previous class was not building on top of the other one.  But I do appreciate that they tried to make an effort to take notes on things that I needed to improve so we can follow up in the next class. I also appreciated the outside activities and field trips they had. It was super cool. In short, professors 5 stars, school 3.5 stars for those reasons. Despite that, obrigado por tudo galera.  😉
  
 
  
 
 
 Ernesto Alejandro Espin 
 
1 December 2023
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
Lucas Fernandes was my teacher for more than 9 of the 20 hours of private “a la carte” lessons I had at Rio and Learn in late October and early November 2023. Lucas was very flexible in his approach to teaching Portuguese , essentially allowing me to choose the environment of our classes, whether at school or outside of school, for example, in a café. Although I initially thought that I would like to do most of my tutoring outside of school, I quickly realized that I would be missing the wealth of educational suites that the school has developed and offers its students. Both the school's educational coordinator, Dayane, and the teachers, especially Lucas, managed to move quickly and meet my new request. As Lucas is under 30, he has an excellent sense of Rio culture, especially as it relates to young people and how young people, technology and influences from abroad are transforming modern Portuguese into the dynamic language it is today.
(Translated by Google, see original)
  
 
  
 
 
 William “Bill” Owen 
 
16 November 2023
 
 
 
 
          
 
  
I am learning Portuguese from the United States and this has been a great way to continue to grow my language. Classes are 2 hours/day and the time flies because of how much fun the class is! The teachers make the learning far more enjoyable and Rio and learn offers free online activities to join throughout the week if you have time! If you are a beginner, I would suggest having a baseline vocabulary from Duolingo/Babbel, etc. There is no English in the class. It makes it challenging, but it pushes me to be better. If you are an active learner, then this is the class for you! You get what you put into this class. If you work to grow your vocabulary outside of the class, you will find you will have even more tools to succeed in class. You will learn how to speak like a native, how to make sentences that do not sound robotic, and you will learn new words and phrases in every single class. Classes are small, generally 3-4 people, so your learning will be more personalized and give you an opportunity to become more comfortable and confident speaking a new language! If you are unsure, they offer you a trial class, so check it out!
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
I took 2 weeks of intensive group classes and then 5 hours of private classes.  After being in Rio for 2 weeks and not knowing many people, I started classes and felt like I was finally at home.  The school is small, so you get to know all of the teachers, staff , and students within a day or two.  I took classes in the morning with my group, including a break to chat with other teachers and students in other levels.  They switch the  teachers around on a daily basis for the most part, so you get a different style, accent, etc. of teaching which I always find beneficial (and you have the opportunity to build relationships on the field trips).  After class, there is a 1 ½ hour break for lunch (lots of yummy restaurants in the surrounding area), which is great to relax and hang out with other students if you want to. Also, the support staff is super and helps you navigate any questions you might have about class or any other thing in your vida carioca. In the afternoons there are field trips to places around the city and opportunities to take a dance or cooking class.  Also, on the weekends, they take longer trips to surrounding towns, soccer games, night spots or other excursions.  Although I only did about half of these, it was nice to be able to pick and choose (especially when you were tired or had your “gringo” input for the day).  Compared to other schools in Rio,  I found these trips as  the most diverse and interesting - and you got to hang out with your teachers in a more casual setting. This is not to say that classes were super formal - one of the things I appreciated most about the school was that it is student-centered.  There is a curriculum that everyone follows, but depending on the make-up of students and what they are interested in, classes are definitely varied from day to day.  I liked this because one day, you would be in the classroom learning grammar, and the next (or later in the same day), you would be out in the street practicing speaking what you had learned.  You get the lessons at the beginning of the week, so for those of you who want to study more, you can preview before class and use as a follow up to review later.  Same with the private classes, these were more focused on what I needed individually.   I  had already had group classes with my teacher, so he was able to follow the same curriculum, but knew how to tailor instruction just for me. This was a great, personalized way to follow the group classes of the first 2 weeks. Without hesitation, I give Rio and Learn 5+ stars and would recommend unconditionally to beginning through advanced Portuguese learners!
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
Brilliant language school and great value for money. The school ethos is learning by full immersion, but it’s two-fold - in the classes (Rio-Learn) and also through leisure and fun  with the Rio-Live activities that happen in the afternoon and weekends. The class sizes are quite small, (I didn’t have more than 5 in my class) so there are  opportunities for discussions and role plays,  but also it’s easy for the teachers to give each student time and to answer questions and explain more if needed. The teachers are great - at the least I can say the teachers I had (Zé, Paulo and Lucas) were really friendly, approachable,  helpful and made the lessons interactive and fun. Some of the lessons take place outside the classroom and in the community, to put the learning into context and practise - for example, going to the local supermarket when learning about the supermarket. And then, after the morning classes, the school offers Rio Live activities - the chance to explore some of the famous places in Rio de Janeiro, or learn new skills such as Samba dancing, cooking  even Capoeira. All of these are done in film Portuguese immersion, but the teachers are always on hand to help when anyone gets stuck on a word, or to correct any mistakes. And you are having so much fun, it really eases the pressure that can come with learning a new language. Administration, communication, planning of activities and lessons and the teaching was all smooth and without any problems. The school also has some Home Stay Families, that you can stay with, for a very reasonable fee, if you done have accommodation. All in all, I had a great time with the School and I can’t believe how much my Portuguese improved and how much more I learnt by the immersive, yet supportive environment the school offers. My only regret is that I was only able to spend a week at this school, because I had to move on to another part of the country, but if you are able, I would recommend spending at least a couple weeks.
  
 
  
 
 
 Charlene A 
 
30 September 2023