Olá! I’m Adelina, the founder of The Sounds of Portuguese, and I teach European Portuguese both in Tavira (Algarve) and online. I’m a native bilingual speaker of Irish English and European Portuguese. I was born in the Netherlands to an Irish mother and a Portuguese father.
We lived in Amsterdam until I was seven. Then we packed up and moved permanently to Tavira, Portugal, where I’ve lived ever since.
Thanks to my dad and attending public school in Portugal, I grew up fluent in Portuguese and was raised bilingually and bi-culturally at home. This blend has given me a deep understanding of the cultural nuances and communication barriers that many learners of European Portuguese face – especially those relocating to Portugal.
On top of that, I’ve personally experienced what it’s like to learn a new language and adapt to a new country. Moving to Portugal at a young age, I didn’t have the internet or translations to rely on, nor did most people speak English as they do today. This journey shapes how I teach, with empathy for how overwhelming the process can be.
How I got into Teaching
The global financial crisis of 2007/2008 saw me lose my job in Real Estate in March 2011. About three months later, I started helping a few expats with their Portuguese and found that I enjoyed it. I began to educate myself in my language and how to teach it to others. This is how Sakura Communications was born – the first name I operated under. After a few years, I took a break and life led me to Scotland, England, Ireland, the U.S. and finally back to Portugal.
I still live in Tavira, now with my husband and our young daughter. In 2020, I launched The Sounds of Portuguese, combining my passion for the language with creative ways to help others learn it.
Today, I offer European Portuguese conversation groups in Tavira, private online lessons, and structured digital content for learners around the world.
I focus on teaching European Portuguese through Comprehensible Input and TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling), methods that prioritise natural language acquisition over memorising grammar rules. These methods focus on learning through natural exposure to language and storytelling, and they’ve completely changed the way I teach. I’m constantly exploring and testing new ideas to make my lessons fun, engaging, and effective.
When I’m not teaching, I’m usually sketching (I draw a lot of my content) or doing online research. Outside of work, I’m spending time with my family. Like most parents, I’m juggling a million things at once. I handle everything myself: lesson planning, video editing, content creation, and in-person classes – while being mum to a very energetic seven-year-old.
It’s a lot to manage, but this mix of creativity, teaching, and family keeps me busy and fulfilled.
I know how challenging it can be to learn a new language – especially Portuguese! -but I also know how rewarding it is. Whether you’re just starting or looking to polish your skills, I’d love to help you along the way.
Let’s stay in touch!
I’d love to hear from you, so don’t be shy – tímido/a is no excuse! Here’s where you can find me:
- Catch me on YouTube or join our community on Facebook.
- Sign up for my bi-monthly newsletter, Beyond the Pastel de Nata, where I share tips, stories and practical resources for learning European Portuguese.
- Email me anytime at info@thesoundsofportuguese.com. I’ll reply as soon as I can: though sometimes life with a little one keeps me a bit behind schedule!
I mean it! Ask questions, share your thoughts, or just say “Olá!” I’d love to hear from you.
Whether you are living in Portugal, planning a move to the Algarve, or simply fascinated by the Portuguese language and culture, my goal is to help you speak European Portuguese with clarity and confidence.