Testmonials

“Marcelo’s skill and experience as an instructor are evident in his ability to adapt the structure of his courses to the interests and needs of his students. He is able to veer from the established lesson plan to accommodate discussion and conversation while still maintaining a tight focus on learning. He seems to effortlessly create an organic, enjoyable and, ultimately, very effective learning environment. I never expected to enjoy learning a new language so much and I couldn’t be happier with my progress. While I’ve developed a practical and natural understanding of Portuguese, I’ve also gained useful and fascinating insights into Brazilian culture. I feel very lucky to have found Brazil in Chicago.”

Marty Johnson

“I felt like I struck gold when I discovered Marcelo and Brazil In Chicago. My private lessons allowed me to pursue my “mental tangents”, while the group classes kept my learning more structured and provided a lot of conversational opportunity with learners at a similar level. Marcelo was undoubtedly the best language teacher I’ve had. (In fact, I’m slightly envious of his knack for languages!) He addressed my endless “why’s?” adroitly and patiently. Moreover, my classes were entertaining—we chatted and laughed, watch bits of comedy sketches, listened to MPB…even debated city council initiatives! Thanks to Brazil In Chicago I feel well-prepared for my relocation to Brazil, both linguistically and culturally, though I feel quite sorry to lose the tutelage and camaraderie that Marcelo has given. Brazil In Chicago is a real gem of an addition to Chicago’s cultural offerings.”

Jenny Miller

“I am now living in Recife, Brazil, and have adjusted quite quickly to the culture here. This is in no doubt due to the teaching style & techniques of Marcelo and Brazil in Chicago. Marcelo’s enthusiasm for his language and culture was contagious… I became a Brazil-o-phile before even landing in Brazil! And I was equipped not only with a strong set of communication skills, but a unique insight into Brazilian culture, local girias (Brazilian sayings), practical vocabulary, music, politics, and other current issues. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in Portuguese language and Brazilian culture, at any level of learning. A million thanks to Brazil in Chicago!!!”

Shayna Harris

“I first started my Portuguese lessons for personal reasons. I was preparing for a vacation in Brazil and knew that I would meet my friend’s family who did not speak any English. Little did I know the extent to which I would be able to leverage my Portuguese for for my job. As a global account manager for a large company, I have been able to develop stronger working relations with my Brazilian and Portuguese clients, colleagues, and of course my friends. I have learned more than just Portuguese while studying with Marcelo Jarmendia of Brazil in Chicago, I learned culture, music, tradition, and the history of Brazil. In a very short time, I was able to conduct myself in basic conversation and reading, and with each lesson, I became more and more fluent, feeling comfortable and confident in communicating in Portuguese. Brazil in Chicago offers a unique and effective learning experience and I highly recommend their courses.”

Kirk Miller

“This is a wonderful place to learn. I am grateful for the Saturday classes. I really like the recent “library” display that we can borrow materials to help us learn. I would love to see more children’s books or easy reading material like the crossword book with pictures because I feel successful reading them. I feel blessed to be able to learn Portuguese with Marcelo because I am learning so much more about the culture & I can discuss my experiences in Brazil in a very natural way.”

Nancy O’Hara

“Marcelo is a very patient, intuitive teacher, capable of adjusting each lesson to students’ needs. Classes are small and relaxed, so you receive a lot of individual attention – which really makes them worth the price. In addition to traditional classroom instruction, Marcelo also uses popular music, skits, TV and food to teach not just the language of Brazil, but the culture as well.”

Amanda Snyder