My name is Andressa, and for the past 15 years I have been teaching Portuguese as a second language and a heritage language. My journey began in Brazil, teaching adult expats, foreign diplomats, and consulates how to navigate the cultural nuances and unspoken rules of Brazilian life—helping them experience Brazil not as visitors, but as people who belonged.
My academic path brought me to the U.S. for a Master’s in Brazilian Literature and Culture at the University of New Mexico, and then to Brown University, where I am completing my PhD in Latin American Cultural Studies.
From public universities in the Southwest to the Ivy League in New England, every single term brought students with Brazilian roots who never grew up speaking Portuguese.
Watching them learn was transformative. They weren't just acquiring language—they were connecting with grandparents,understanding their parents in a new light, and reclaiming a part of their identity that had been waiting for them.
Seeing young adults reclaim their roots later in life sparked a crucial question: Why should our children have to wait until college to discover their heritage language?
My commitment to early childhood heritage language learning isn't just academic—it's deeply personal.
When I became a mom, I knew I wanted my son to grow up bilingual, proud of his Brazilian roots, and connected to his heritage. But finding accessible, structured spaces for young children to experience Portuguese in our local community was a challenge. After realizing there was a lack of support for heritage language programs in public libraries, I took matters into my own hands:
Bilingual Storytelling at Daycare: I began volunteering at my son's daycare, leading interactive Portuguese storytime and music sessions for infants and toddlers.
Creating Independent Storytimes: Driven by the need for accessible cultural spaces, I launched my own independent storytime program to bring Brazilian folklore, songs, and books to local families.
Building a Heritage Community: I recently started organizing community playdates for Portuguese-speaking families so that our children can play, bond, and grow together.
All of this stems from a bigger mission:
I want my son, and your children, to grow up surrounded by a vibrant community of bilingual and multilingual peers, feeling confident about speaking Portuguese, and proud of their Brazilian identity, regardless of where they were born.