Native or Non-Native Portuguese Teacher? Pros and Cons

Is it better to learn with a native Portuguese teacher or with a non-native one? Short answer: it depends on your goal. A native Brazilian Portuguese teacher gives you the Brazilian accent, the intonation, the expressions and the inside jokes that only those of us from Brazil really get. A non-native Portuguese teacher has already been through the same struggles you are going through, so they usually explain grammar with more patience and structure.

I'm speaking from experience: I'm Brazilian, I've been teaching Portuguese to foreigners since 2013, and I've seen students from Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay make huge progress with both kinds of teacher. Here I walk you through the pros and cons of each, what level of Portuguese someone needs to teach it, and how to choose a Brazilian Portuguese tutor based on your budget, your level and whether you want a Portuguese tutor online or in-person classes.

In the end, what matters most isn't only whether your teacher is a native Portuguese speaker or learned it as a second language, but that they connect you with everyday Portuguese and keep you motivated. Let's get into it!

Video: Native or Non-Native Portuguese Teacher? Keep This in Mind

In this video I sum up, in just a few minutes, the differences between learning with a native Portuguese teacher and with a non-native one, so you have a clear idea before you choose. If you'd rather read, I explain each point in more detail below.

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Things to Keep in Mind

A native Portuguese teacher is someone who grew up speaking the language in Brazil, so they handle Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation, intonation and the weight behind each expression. Their big advantage is cultural context; their most common downside is that, at first, their pace may be a bit harder for you to follow.

A few details to keep in mind when choosing between learning Portuguese with a native speaker or with a non-native teacher.

Learning Portuguese with a native speaker:

• Their pronunciation might be a little harder to understand at first.
• More experience living in the country, and cultural insights from a Brazilian perspective.
• 100% Brazilian accent and intonation. (What is the neutral Brazilian Portuguese accent?)
• Better at explaining words and expressions that are used in different ways (the weight behind words and expressions).
• Being native, this person most likely has family and friends in different parts of Brazil they can ask whenever a question comes up.
• More likely to know more synonyms and antonyms.
• More likely to understand videos or audio (more exposure to the language with all its imperfect variations).
• More likely to get inside jokes played with the language.

Double Meanings ("Malícia") in Phrases and Words

In Brazil, "malícia" is the knack for catching the double meaning in an innocent phrase, usually with a spicy twist. A native Portuguese speaker picks it up instantly; a student, or even a non-native teacher, might miss it completely. It's part of the Brazilian slang you only learn by listening to a lot of Portuguese.

Cheeky phrases that a native speaker with a dirty mind will catch right away, and that a foreigner may have a harder time understanding.

• O que eu te prometi tá de pé e vai ser cumprido!
• Corto cabelo e pinto.
• Que horas eu te pego?
• O negócio continua de pé, só esperando uma posição sua.
• Você tem dado em casa?
• Você gosta de verdura?
• Você é rico, pobre ou dá para viver?

Inside Jokes

Inside jokes in Brazilian Portuguese are wordplay that mixes the language with the names of drinks, foods or brands: "conhaque" sounds like "conhece", "vinho" like "venho", and "BACONTENTE" blends bacon with "contente". They're the kind of phrases only Brazilians understand, and that's where a native teacher saves you a lot of time.

• Cerveja como são as coisas, você não me conhaque, não sabe de onde vinho, por isso não me campari com qualquer rum.
• Estou BACONTENTE.
• Pense como um boleto. Um boleto sempre vence.

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Now, a few points to consider about a non-native teacher of Portuguese.

Learning Portuguese with a Non-Native Teacher

A non-native Portuguese teacher is someone who learned the language as a second language and now teaches it. Their biggest advantage is that they've already had the same doubts you have, so they usually explain Brazilian Portuguese grammar with more patience and structure, especially if they also speak English.

• A non-native teacher automatically knows the challenges of learning Portuguese as a second language (they are at least bilingual).
• The fact that they already speak another language can be a source of inspiration for their students (this also applies to a native teacher).
• If they speak other languages, they may have a variety of learning methods (the best method is the one that works for you).
• If they have been to Brazil, they will share comments from a foreigner's point of view, with lots of cultural curiosities about the country that a native might not even notice. (Curiosities about Brazilian culture, according to foreigners)
• They may find it easier to explain grammar rules.
• In general, a non-native teacher uses more structured teaching methods, maybe because they learned Portuguese with grammar books (unless they picked it up by living in Brazil for a few years).
• A non-native teacher might not know how to answer some very specific questions.
• They may know more about the origin of words (etymology) and fun facts about the language.

What Level of Portuguese Do I Need to Teach Portuguese to a Foreigner?

To teach Portuguese to a foreigner you need, at the very least, a higher level than your student: with a B1 or B2 you can guide beginners, but for advanced classes, writing or preparing for the Celpe-Bras exam, a C1 or C2 is ideal. Here I explain the Portuguese levels.

It depends a lot on the level of the person who wants to learn the language.

Someone with an intermediate level of Portuguese can easily teach a person who's starting from zero.

In the dark, any spark lights the way.

Think about it: you've spoken your native language your whole life, so what could someone from your own country teach you? It would have to be something very specific, like writing or advanced grammar.

Which Is the Best Option? Portuguese with a Native or a Non-Native Teacher?

The best option depends on where you are right now: if you are starting from zero, a non-native Portuguese teacher who speaks English can give you a clearer foundation; if you already have an intermediate level and want to sound natural, a native Portuguese teacher will take you further. Many of my students from Argentina and Colombia end up combining both.

It all depends on your goal.

• Do you want to learn from scratch or polish your level?
• Do you want to learn online or in person? Keep in mind how many native teachers are available for in-person classes.
• Consider the price of the classes (native teachers usually tend to be more expensive).
• Did you connect more with the native or the non-native teacher? (risk of getting bored with the language) (learn more slowly and enjoy the process, or learn faster and risk giving up on the language)

Here's a quick native vs. non-native teacher comparison:

How I Teach Portuguese to Foreigners

I've been teaching Portuguese to Spanish speakers since 2013 and I follow a simple order: first understand, then speak, then read and finally write, starting with everything Portuguese has in common with the language you already speak. In this video I tell you how I work as a native Portuguese teacher, and below you'll find the full post.

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How to Learn Portuguese Faster

Learning Portuguese faster depends more on your routine than on your teacher: listen to content you enjoy every day, speak from the very beginning and leave writing for when you have a solid foundation. In this video I explain my method, and here are my 10 tips to learn Portuguese.

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