I was hesitant to buy another Portuguese course because every app I tried ended up teaching me Brazilian pronunciation, which just confused me. I also worried an online course wouldn't help me actually speak. But European Portuguese: Foundations focuses strictly on the European accent. The pronunciation explanations really helped!
About a few weeks in, I ordered at my local pastelaria and actually understood the reply. That felt like a small victory!
Gert-Jan Bot
Does this sound like you?
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You catch a few words. Then the conversation leaves you behind.
You wish you could follow what’s being said and find a way into the conversation, instead of trying to piece it together afterwards.
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You've rehearsed and know what to say. Until someone’s waiting for your answer and your mind goes blank.
You want to find your words when you need them, to ask a question, share a thought and keep the conversation going without switching to English.
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An everyday errand becomes something you need help with.
A phone call. An appointment. A question about a bill. You’d like to handle more yourself, without relying on someone else to do the talking, and feel more in charge.
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You have plenty to say, but in Portuguese, the words don't come.
Your humour, your ideas, the stories you’d love to tell. You want more of yourself to come through, and feel more like yourself when you speak Portuguese.
These challenges don’t have to hold you back for years.
You don’t need a special talent for languages, or hours of study every day. You need a clear path, useful practice and support.
That’s what I’ve brought together in European Portuguese Foundations: a step-by-step course to help you understand everyday Portuguese, handle more on your own and feel more like yourself in conversation.
Fatima has helped me overcome my fears. I was convinced I was too old to learn, and now here I am, speaking with my neighbours at the local cafe.Â
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Imagine Portuguese becoming part of your life.
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Imagine catching words that used to rush past you, understanding what someone means, and finding something to say in return.
Imagine no longer rehearsing every sentence in your head - words just flow more easily, you respond, share a thought, even make someone laugh. And Portuguese becomes another way to be yourself.
If that feels a long way from where you are now, I understand!
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It can be hard to picture yourself speaking Portuguese when your experience so far has left you wondering whether you’re capable of learning it.
When you believe you’re too old, lack talent or simply can’t learn Portuguese, every difficult moment can feel like proof. You hesitate, practise less, perhaps stop trying altogether. Before those beliefs take any more opportunities away from you, let’s question them.
"Maybe I'm just bad at languages"
Struggling so far doesn’t mean you lack the ability to learn. An explanation that clicks, a chance to practise without pressure, someone who helps you understand a mistake—these can make a real difference. What hasn’t worked for you yet doesn’t have to define what you can do next.
"I'm too old"
You haven’t missed your chance. As an adult, you bring experience, an ability to make connections and a clear reason for learning. You may need repetition and time to find your words. But that’s part of learning, at any age.
"Portuguese sounds like 1 long word"Â
Sometimes it really does. In Portugal, vowels can become very faint and words run together, so even familiar words seem to disappear. There are patterns in that blur, though. I’ll show you what to listen for and help you practise recognising it, so everyday speech gradually becomes less mysterious.
Introducing European Portuguese Foundations:Â
A beginner-friendly, eight-module online course combining recorded lessons, practical exercises and live practice with me.
Build your listening, speaking, reading and writing skills—and learn to use Portuguese for the people, places and experiences that matter to you.
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You're in the right place if...
You want Portugal to feel like homeÂ
 You’ve built a life here, or you’re planning one. You want to make your own appointments, explain what needs fixing and deal with the paperwork without needing someone to translate. Portuguese is the missing piece that would help you feel settled, independent and fully at home.
You want more from every visit Â
You love spending time in Portugal, you have your favourite places, and perhaps a familiar face who remembers your order. Now you’d love to ask a little more, understand the answer and see where the conversation goes.
You have Portuguese roots, or loved ones
You want to join the conversation around the table, understand the family stories and share a joke without waiting for someone to translate. Learning Portuguese is a way to feel closer to people who matter to you.
You need Portuguese for workÂ
You work with Portuguese colleagues or clients, or hope to.  You want to introduce yourself, arrange a time, ask a simple question and follow everyday exchanges. You’ll build a foundation for using Portuguese at work, one conversation at a time.
 You simply want to learn PortugueseÂ
Maybe it’s the sound, the culture or the pleasure of learning another language. European Portuguese has caught your interest, and you want to give it a proper go. You don’t need a bigger reason.
This program is unlike any other. How?Â
Let me show you my secret 4 ingredients:Â
Pronunciation from day 1Â
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 I’ll show you how to produce those tricky Portuguese sounds, using familiar sounds you already know, and clear guidance. You will build clearer speech while learning to recognise the rhythm and patterns of spoken Portuguese. No more blurry sounds, but clear speech.Â
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Life practice with me Â
Put what you learn into conversation in weekly live sessions. Ask questions, get feedback and practise responding with my support—so the words come more easily outside the lessons.
A teacher who gets the struggle Â
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As a speaker of seven languages, I know what it feels like to start again in a new one. I recognise the traps of direct translation and anticipate common mistakes, helping you connect Portuguese to what you already know.
Linguistic expertise that make things clickÂ
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My academic background in Linguistics shapes how I teach, helping you understand Portuguese, remember it and put it to use. With experience teaching both corporate clients with specific business goals and individuals learning for pleasure, I make lessons practical, purposeful and enjoyable.
Who am I?
Hi, I am Fatima.
 As a linguist, I know the science.
As a language learner, I’ve lived the struggle.
I grew up bilingual in Portugal, speak seven languages and hold a Master's degree in Linguistics. Together with my teaching experience, this helps me recognise the patterns behind your mistakes and find explanations that click.
Having lived in several countries, I also know the challenge of finding your words and navigating unfamiliar customs. I bring that experience into every lesson, helping you make sense of the language and feel more at ease using it.Â
By the end of this program you will be able to...Â
 ✦ 01 ✦Â
Start Speaking From Day 1Â
Great someone, introduce yourself and ask for what you need in your first simple exchanges.Â
I will guide you through Portuguese sounds, useful expressions and the questions you're likely to hear back.Â
You will start with small, manageable conversations, and learn the essential greetings, must-know question words, and how to introduce yourself.Â
You will get my Real-World AI Pronunciation Hack: simple tips to turn your phone into a pronunciation practice tool, with ready-to-use phrases, speech-to-text checks and guidance to help you tackle tricky Portuguese sounds.Â
 ✦ 02 ✦Â
Build You Own Sentences Â
Put familiar words together to express what you want, ask questions, and say more.Â
You will learn useful everyday verbs (“I need,” “I want”) and the simple "glue" words (because, but, and).
No overwhelming rules - just clear, visual grammar to make your sentences flow naturally, one word at the time.
I will provide you with the First 20 Sentences Framework, practical phrases you can adapt to talk about yourself, ask for what you need and start using Portuguese in your daily life.
 ✦ 03 ✦Â
Handle Everyday TransactionsÂ
From your morning coffee to your weekly shop, get things done in Portuguese.
I will walk you through ordering at a pastelaria, shopping for essentials and asking about prices, quantities and opening times—including those unexpected follow-up questions.
You will learn to make polite requests, check you’ve understood and encourage people to keep speaking Portuguese. We’ll also explore when to use tu and how to address someone more formally.
You will be provided with Cultural Insights into café traditions, tipping and everyday etiquette—so you feel more at ease, right down to asking for the bill.
  ✦ 04 ✦Â
Share Your Real SelfÂ
Move past basic survival and learn to communicate who you are, describe your surroundings, and ask for of give simple directions.Â
 You will learn the vocabulary to talk about your routine, family, and background.
Guided conversations and short written texts will give you ways to share more of yourself, one exchange at a time. Â
✦ 05 ✦Â
Find Your New Roots
Describe your home and surroundings, chat with neighbours and ask for or give simple directions.Â
I’ll make sense of the words and patterns that explain where things are and how to get there.
Guided tasks help you use them in everyday errands and arrangements, with practical reasons to put your Portuguese to work.
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✦ 06 ✦Â
 Stay Cool Under PressureÂ
Explain what you need at appointments, service counters and when everyday problems arise.
I’ll guide you through useful phrases and polite ways to explain a problem, ask questions and check important details.
Preparation templates help you organise what you want to say beforehand, giving you something to fall back on when you feel under pressure.
✦ 07 ✦Â
Time TravelÂ
Free yourself from the present tense and learn to tell simple stories, share memories, and talk about your future plans.
I’ll make past and future forms clearer through simple explanations, visual support and guided examples. Story frameworks help you organise your own short accounts, whether you’re talking about your weekend, writing a message or explaining a past problem.
You will learn how to use the Past and Future Tense, using simple, visual grammar support without the headaches.
I will provide you with my Real-World Story Framework, giving you practical templates to confidently explain exactly what happened - whether you are chatting about your weekend trip or explaining a past issue to a service worker.
✦ 08 ✦Â
Real Life FlowÂ
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Bring it all together—and take your Portuguese beyond the lessons.
I will guide you through everyday conversations that mix everything you’ve learned, helping you respond when the topic changes or the reply isn’t quite what you expected.
You will learn to handle interruptions, use natural expressions to buy yourself thinking time, share simple opinions and pick up the thread when you miss a word.
You will get my Bring It All Together Practice Guide—guided reviews and conversation exercises that help you revisit what you’ve learned, connect the pieces and put them to use in real life.Â
Learn At Your Own Pace - With Me By Your Side
Live Practice With MeÂ
Join me live to practice pronunciation and speaking, ask questions, and get direct feedback, so you know what to work on next.
Deep-Dive
Workshops
Explore culture, untangle grammar and discover how your own language helps, or trips you up. Each month, we take one topic further, with clear explanations and practical examples you can use.Â
Your Private CommunityÂ
Ask questions, share small victories, and practice alongside fellow learners. Stay connected with me and the group as you put your Portuguese to use.Â
Stay Connected
Ready to Speak Portuguese Like You Live Here?Â
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When you enrol today, here’s what you get:
✦  8 modules + lifetime access (€675 value)
✦  40 live speaking sessions (€1,500 value)
✦  10 deep-dive workshops (€375 value)
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BONUS #1Â
The “Don’t Switch to English” Playbook
Ready-to-use phrases and simple strategies so you can keep the conversation in Portuguese, even when you’re searching for words and others switch to English.Â
BONUS #2
Portuguese Culture: Beyond the Words
Decode gestures, polite refusals and everyday expressions so you can understand what people mean beyond the words.
BONUS #3
The Portugal Life Admin Rescue Kit
Practical vocabulary and message templates for schools, healthcare, renting and paperwork so you can handle everyday admin with less stress.
BONUS #4
Your AI Portuguese Practice Partner
Ready-to-use AI prompts for short, guided conversations based on what you've learned. Practice, and feel more prepared for your next real conversation.Â
BONUS #5
Lost in Translation: The Portuguese Mistake Fixer
Spot and fix common mistakes carried over from English, Dutch, French and other languages so you can build clearer Portuguese sentences.
Does this sound like you?
You want to learn Portuguese, but don’t know where to start—and keep finding courses or apps that teach Brazilian Portuguese.
You want to learn the sounds, words and expressions used in Portugal, knowing from the start that you’re learning the Portuguese you actually want to speak.
You catch a few words. Then the conversation leaves you behind.
You wish you could follow what’s being said and find a way into the conversation, instead of trying to piece it together afterwards.
You know what to say—until someone’s waiting for your answer.
You’ve rehearsed the sentence in your head. You want to ask your question or share a thought without freezing and switching to English.
An everyday errand becomes something you need help with.
A phone call. An appointment. A question about a bill. Your whole adult life, you’re used to handling things yourself, without relying on anyone. You wish you could get things done and feel completely independent and capable again.
You have plenty to say, but in Portuguese, the words don't come.
Your humour, your ideas, the stories you’d love to tell. Not being able to show your personality and intelligence does not feel good.Â
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You don’t have to wait years to feel more at ease in Portuguese.
You don’t need a special talent for languages, or hours of study every week. You need a clear path, useful practice and support.
That’s what I’ve brought together in European Portuguese Foundations: a step-by-step course to help you understand everyday Portuguese, handle more on your own and feel more like yourself in conversation.
