Unlock Portuguese with confidence —
from A1 to fluency, with a teacher who understands you.
Structured European Portuguese courses (A1–C2), plus conversation training and CAPLE exams preparation.
Unlock Portuguese with confidence —
from A1 to fluency, with a teacher who understands you.
Structured European Portuguese courses (A1–C2), plus conversation training and CAPLE exams preparation.
15+
Years of Experience
45+
Nationalities taught
7000+
Hours Taught
This is for you if...
You want to learn European Portuguese
You’re starting from zero or want to improve your current level
You enjoy learning languages and discovering new cultures
You value structure and real communication
This may not suit you if...
You are comfortable progressing very slowly
You don’t need a clear sense of progress
You are not aiming for consistent improvement
Why learn with Portuguese Unlocked?
Structured Courses,
Clear Progress
Follow official CEFR levels (A1–C2) with precise objectives, step-by-step guidance, and a path you always understand.
Language
Through Culture
Go beyond vocabulary with history, comparisons to other languages, and cultural insights that make Portuguese easier to remember.
100% Human,
Personal Guidance
No recordings. No automation. From the first call to the final lesson, you learn with a real teacher supporting you.
How enrolment works
You’re only four steps away.
Step 1: Choose your journey
Select intensive, extensive, or private lessons and complete the pre-enrolment form.
Step 2: Book your free call
You’ll receive an email to schedule a short meeting with me.
Step 3: Confirm your path
Together we define your level, schedule, and starting date, and finalize payment.
Step 4: Start learning
Join your online classes and begin unlocking your Portuguese.
What my students say
Real experiences from learners who unlocked their Portuguese with me.
I studied with Ricardo from A1.1 through exam preparation, and thanks to his clear, thorough and demanding methodology, I passed my CAPLE exam and now work confidently in Portuguese.
He goes beyond grammar — teaching word origins, nuances, and key differences between Portuguese and other languages. If you’re serious about learning and want real confidence, his course is the perfect place to start.
🇵🇪 Dayana
Peru, B1 Student
I took private Portuguese lessons with Ricardo to prepare for the A2 exam, and he perfectly matched my learning pace—ensuring I truly understood the material while refining my pronunciation to build a strong foundation.
His background in linguistics made every lesson especially effective. With just a couple of months to prepare, I passed the A2 exam on my first attempt.
🇿🇦 Kalia
South Africa, CIPLE Preparation Student
Taking Ricardo's A1 course before my trip to Portugal was a great decision. Despite being a total beginner, the dynamic classes helped me handle basic interactions while traveling.
Ricardo is incredibly patient and builds your confidence to speak without fear. I felt guided every step of the way. I highly recommend his lessons for anyone starting from scratch.
🇵🇪 Carmen
Peru, A1 Student
His classes were taught in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We felt genuinely engaged because Ricardo’s main goal was for us to learn and love the Portuguese language and to understand Portugal’s traditions.
Ricardo is a very kind and interesting person, and studying with him is both fun and enriching.
🇺🇦 Alla
Ukraine, B1 Student
Choose your journey
Extensive Courses
Total duration: 30h
Schedule: 10 weeks · 2 classes per week · 1h30 each
Starting dates: every month
Focus on long-term progress and independent practice
Balanced rhythm for work or studies
Continuous feedback even between lessons
Intensive Courses
Total duration: 30h
Schedule: 2 weeks · 3 hours per day
Starting dates: every two weeks
Ideal for rapid progress and daily immersion
Small groups at the same level
All materials and assessments included
Private Classes 1:1
Flexible packages: 10, 20, or 30 hours
Schedule: arranged with you!
Starting dates: you decide!
Ideal for specific goals (work, exams, relocation)
A premium format built around your needs
Full attention and personalised guidance
Built for real, recognised progress
Rigor
Recognition
Success
All courses follow Common European Framework of Reference
(CEFR) standards, aligned with international benchmarks.
Portuguese Unlocked issues a free secure digital certificate for
every level completed (e.g., A1.1 + A1.2), verifiable online.
My programs prepare you for official CAPLE exams, with
specialised support when you want extra confidence.
Rigor
All courses follow Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) standards, aligned with international benchmarks.
Recognition
Portuguese Unlocked issues a free secure digital certificate for every level completed (e.g., A1.1 + A1.2), verifiable online.
Success
My programs prepare you for official CAPLE examsº, with specialised support when you want extra confidence.
Ready to take it to another level?
Turn your Portuguese into an internationally recognised certification.
CAPLE is the official worldwide institution responsible for Portuguese language certification,
recognised internationally for residency, nationality, and academic purposes.
Exam sessions take place on fixed dates (check here) throughout the year at authorised examination centres across the globe.
A2 CIPLE Exam Preparation Course
Total duration: 30h
Schedule: 3 weeks · 2 hours per day
Available 2 months before each CIPLE exam date!
*Access to Café Pessoa Speaking Club included!
Keep practicing beyond the classroom
A flexible add-on to strengthen your spoken Portuguese.
Café Pessoa
Speaking Club
A weekly 60-minute conversation workshop designed to get you speaking naturally. The perfect complement to your courses: relaxed, social, and focused on real communication.
No drills. No heavy textbooks. Just real talk.
External students: 19,99€/month (4 sessions)
Enrolled students: 14,99€/month (with 1 free session!)
Café Pessoa
Speaking Club
A weekly 60-minute conversation workshop designed to get you speaking naturally. The perfect complement to your courses: relaxed, social, and focused on real communication.
No drills. No heavy textbooks.
Just real talk.
External students: 19,99€/month (4 sessions)
Enrolled students: 14,99€/month (with 1 free session!)
Did you know...
that the Portuguese word for red ("vermelho") doesn’t come from rojo, rosso, or rouge?
It comes from the Latin word vermiculus, meaning “little worm”!
The name refers to the tiny insects (cochineals) once used to produce red dye. So in Portuguese, the color isn’t just a shade — it’s a tribute to the creature that made it.
Olá, I'm Ricardo!
I’ve always been fascinated by how languages connect people. My journey took me from banking and aviation to political commentary and academic research, where I completed my PhD.
But no matter where life led me, I always returned to my true passion:
Helping people like you learn Portuguese.
Over the years, I’ve taught hundreds of students from around the world. Portuguese Unlocked was born from those shared journeys — a structured, human method built on real experience.
Ready to unlock your Portuguese?
There's really only one thing left to do:
Questions?
Don't worry, I've got you. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ).
Our classes are taught mainly in Portuguese.
However, unlike most language schools, for total beginners, I start in English, Spanish or French and, gradually, Portuguese will replace our communication.
Don’t worry — I will help you with that.
Before starting, we’ll have an initial call to assess your level and ensure you will be in the right level.
You can choose between:
Group classes, with students at the same level
Private one-to-one lessons, focused on your personal goals
All classes are live, online, and designed to help you speak Portuguese fluently and with confidence.
Getting started is easy:
1. Choose the plan you're interested in and any extra service like conversation lessons (Café Pessoa);
2. Schedule a short online meeting with me. Here, we will confirm the plan, your level and the way of payment.
Throughout the course, all lessons, exercises, and homework are available on Google Classroom.
The materials will be unlocked as the course progresses.
Because finances should never be a barrier to education, we offer two payment options for both intensive and extensive courses: a single full payment or three smaller installments, providing you with greater flexibility.
Either way, payments are explained and confirmed during the online onboarding meeting, ensuring full clarity before you start and allows you to ask any questions you desire.
To support your success, I designed more specific levels with clearer, achievable goals, giving you greater control over your learning progress. At the same time, the courses are shorter while still meeting the European Union’s recommended guidelines for learning hours.
You’ll receive your certificate issued by Portuguese Unlocked only after completing both complementary sub‑levels (like B1.1+B1.2), ensuring it represents the full CEFR level. Each certificate is digitally verified and secure.
Most language schools have rigid start dates tied to academic semesters. Here, I use a cyclical scheduling system. This means new classes are always opening, and you never have to wait long to join a group that perfectly matches your level.
Our classes are taught mainly in Portuguese.
However, unlike most language schools, for total beginners, I start in English, Spanish or French and, gradually, Portuguese will replace our communication.
Don’t worry — I will help you with that.
Before starting, we’ll have an initial call to assess your level and ensure you will be in the right level.
You can choose between:
Group classes, with students at the same level
Private one-to-one lessons, focused on your personal goals
All classes are live, online, and designed to help you speak Portuguese fluently and with confidence.
Getting started is easy:
1. Choose the plan you're interested in and any extra service like conversation lessons (Café Pessoa);
2. Schedule a short online meeting with me. Here, we will confirm the plan, your level and the way of payment.
Throughout the course, all lessons, exercises, and homework are available on Google Classroom.
The materials will be unlocked as the course progresses.
Because finances should never be a barrier to education, we offer two payment options for both intensive and extensive courses: a single full payment or three smaller installments, providing you with greater flexibility.
Either way, payments are explained and confirmed during the online onboarding meeting, ensuring full clarity before you start and allows you to ask any questions you desire.
To support your success, I designed more specific levels with clearer, achievable goals, giving you greater control over your learning progress. At the same time, the courses are shorter while still meeting the European Union’s recommended guidelines for learning hours.
You’ll receive your certificate issued by Portuguese Unlocked only after completing both complementary sub‑levels (like B1.1+B1.2), ensuring it represents the full CEFR level. Each certificate is digitally verified and secure.
Most language schools have rigid start dates tied to academic semesters. Here, I use a cyclical scheduling system. This means new classes are always opening, and you never have to wait long to join a group that perfectly matches your level.
Need more information?
Get in touch and I'll get back as soon as possible!
© 2026 Portuguese Unlocked by Ricardo. All rights reserved.
Terms & Conditions • Privacy Policy
To manage payments, access your Costumer Portal.