Learning Portuguese with Anita da Silva: Tips, Culture and Confidence

We’re thrilled to welcome to our newest podcast episode, Anita da Silva, the heart and voice behind Portuguese with Anita! Born and raised on the Alentejo coast of Portugal and now living in the sunny Algarve, Anita is a university-qualified Portuguese teacher with over 20 years of experience helping learners from all around the world speak Portuguese with confidence and joy.

Anita’s journey began in classrooms, including a role as Pedagogical Director at an international school in the Algarve, where she designed language programs for children and adults alike. But she soon realized she could reach even more people online. Today, her self-paced courses serve thousands of learners globally, teaching not just language but culture, confidence, and practical skills.

During our conversation, Anita immediately highlighted something every learner should know: European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese, while sharing the same roots, can feel like entirely different languages. She laughed as she gave an example: “The word chocolate—in Portugal, you say ‘shock-o la-te.’ In Brazil, it’s more like ‘shocolachi.’ Just one word, and it already sounds like a different world!”

Everyday vocabulary diverges too: a bathroom in Portugal is casa de banho, while in Brazil it’s banheiro. A gym? Ginásio in Portugal, academia in Brazil. Mobile phones are telemóvel in Portugal, celular or telolab in Brazil. Even sentence structure differs, like the use of the gerund, something that might seem small, but as Anita reminded us, “Imagine learning Portuguese as a second language, then moving to a country where it’s spoken differently; it can be a disaster if you’re not prepared.”

Culture is just as important as words. Portuguese people can come across as formal at first, especially with greetings. Using como está instead of the casual como estás may feel stiff to visitors, but it’s simply a reflection of respect. “We’re not rude,” Anita explained. “It’s just how we address each other. And most people are very forgiving if they realize you’re not a local, they’ll even help you get it right.”

Fear of making mistakes is a huge hurdle, and Anita’s advice was simple and powerful: mistakes are proof of progress. Many students want perfect pronunciation before speaking, but perfection doesn’t exist. “Speaking from day one is key,” she said. “Creating a safe and encouraging space, celebrating small victories every single day, that’s what builds confidence.” She reminded us that every tiny step, from ordering a coffee to asking for directions, counts.

Anita also shared inspiring examples from her students. One couple, Russian by nationality, became fluent in just two months. They dedicated five to six hours every day to speaking, writing, and practicing Portuguese. By the end of each day, they’d send Anita audio recordings to check their pronunciation and grammar, speaking entirely in Portuguese without translation. “You start thinking in that language, dreaming in that language,” she said. “And that is a sign you’re truly becoming fluent.” Their native language, Russian, had prepared their throats for some of the more challenging Portuguese sounds, but their dedication and immersion made all the difference.

For those who struggle with remembering words, Anita suggested clever strategies like repetition and association. Take the word guarda-chuva, for example. Guarda means “to keep,” and chuva means “rain,” so the word literally translates to “keeps you from the rain.” She explained that by visualizing the word this way, it becomes easier to recall, even under pressure. Flashcards are another helpful tool, especially for visual learners, and Anita provides plenty through her courses.

Anita offers a wide array of courses, designed for learners of all ages and levels. From beginner courses that take you from A0 to A2, to intermediate and advanced courses up to C2, every course combines grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, dictation, and cultural insights. She also offers a tourist course for visitors, a children’s course starting from age five, preparation for the CIPL exam for residency and citizenship, and a Daily Conversations Master course focused entirely on real-life dialogues, from ordering at a bakery to calling the emergency line. Her approach is practical, immersive, and, as she said, fun.

What makes learning with Anita special is that she truly brings Portuguese to life. She’s also the author of children’s books, activity books, and bilingual stories, which help learners connect creatively with the language. Her social media, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, are full of quick lessons, cultural insights, and encouragement for learners around the world. Watching her videos feels like sitting in a cafe with her, learning naturally, laughing, and discovering new words and phrases along the way.

Before we wrapped up, we talked about favorite Portuguese expressions. Anita shared Devagar se vai ao longe—“slowly one goes far.” It’s a perfect metaphor not just for language learning, but for life itself: progress matters more than speed, and consistency beats perfection. For travelers, learners, or anyone trying to immerse themselves in Portuguese culture, it’s a gentle reminder to take it slow, embrace the journey, and celebrate every small victory.

Anita da Silva is more than a teacher; she’s a guide, a mentor, and a bridge to Portuguese language and culture. For anyone dreaming of exploring Portugal, speaking confidently, or preparing for the SIPL exam, her courses, books, and online content are an invaluable resource. You can find her at PortuguesewithAnita.com, and follow her on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook at Portuguese with Anita.

So whether you’re a beginner, a traveler, a parent teaching your child, or someone chasing fluency, remember: devagar se vai ao longe. Take it slow, celebrate the small wins, and enjoy every moment of your Portuguese journey.

Want to hear the interview? Check out the podcast episode below (as well as other podcasts we have done!)