Evaluations

Delphine Gaillard

My name is Delphine and I am currently living in Las Vegas, USA.

Until now, I had only ten lessons with Vera, online, but I have to say I'm already addicted to her! I really enjoy learning Portuguese with her. She is a great teacher!

You can tell that she loves to teach! She is also very professional, always on time for the classes and answers all my questions very quickly.

I also love when she shares things that make learning fun and entertaining and help me learn faster.

So, if you want to learn Portuguese, she is the one! Thank you, Vera! Muito obrigada!

Vladimir Niconov

If you are looking for the ideal teacher of Brazilian Portuguese, then Professora Vera Donnelly is a perfect choice.

She has rich and diverse teaching experience in universities, language schools and as a private tutor, both in Brazil and in the USA.

Her teaching skill is unparalleled. Her politely demanding teaching style can be felt from the very first lessons. The way she encourages correct, authentic Brazilian pronunciation and carefully corrects short fragments of texts is very effective.

Her explanation of Portuguese grammar, as well as the differences and similarities between Portuguese and English, is also superior and based on deep knowledge of both languages.

Her enthusiasm and love for Brazilian Portuguese, Brazilian culture and people is contagious. She shows the remarkable beauty and expressiveness of Brazilian Portuguese. She is strongly recommended!

Catherine Morrison

My name is Catherine and I had been wanting to learn Portuguese for several months. I tried learning it by myself with language tapes from the library but wasn't getting the results I wanted.

I found Vera's website on the Internet and got in touch with her. I live in Virginia and have been doing Internet courses with her and I'm very pleased.

I love the way she teaches and explains things, and how patient she is. I would highly recommend her Internet classes!

Andrea Esmay

I'm an American Brazilian learning Portuguese for the first time in Brazil.

I've had classes with Vera for about a month and a half and I have found them incredibly helpful to my understanding of Portuguese outside of the classroom.

Vera has a great spirit for teaching while encouraging you to learn more. If it weren't for Vera's amazing teaching skills, I would be completely lost in my attempt to learn grammar and speak Portuguese.

Ash Holden

I stumbled across Vera's website and decided to see what she had to offer.

I was excited to see that I could operate on my own schedule. The format of her lessons works well for me given my hectic and sporadic ways.

I've only begun my studies, but have learned much from her lessons. She has a good way of teaching the language by using cultural and lifestyle references.

Regardless of your reasons for learning Portuguese, Vera is a great resource. She's also really nice.

Elizabeth Helsley

I have been taking lessons with Vera for two months now, and I have already learned a tremendous amount. Not only have I learned the Portuguese language, but I have also learned important Brazilian cultural and business customs.

My background is in international business, so learning everything I can about the local culture is especially important to me.

Vera's teaching method is simple and easy to follow. She makes learning fun by incorporating songs into the lessons and mixing it up. I look forward to learning something new in each class.

One of the best things about Vera is her passion for teaching. She is very patient with her students and is truly concerned with making sure the students are learning.

To anyone who is considering taking lessons with Vera, my advice is — go for it! You won't regret it!

Phil Conrad

When I was unable to find someone willing to teach me Brazilian Portuguese at home privately, I decided to give Mrs. Vera Donnelly a chance to prove that she could just as effectively teach me remotely.

I am delighted to report that after only four such lessons I am convinced I can achieve my objective: to be fluent in basic conversational Brazilian Portuguese.

I found that Vera is strict and attentive, working with me diligently and patiently until I get it right.

I also appreciate that her teaching has the right balance of vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and practical information on Brazil.

Most of all, the blend of lessons with homework gives me the flexibility in my schedule that I value so much.

Stacy N.

I am taking Portuguese purely for personal enrichment. Traveling in Brazil a few years ago piqued my interest in the language, the people and the culture. I have wanted to learn Brazilian Portuguese ever since.

In the six weeks that I have been taking Portuguese lessons with Vera, not only has my vocabulary greatly increased, but I have also noticed dramatic improvements in my understanding of grammar and pronunciation.

Vera exhibits all of the best qualities a teacher can possess: she is enthusiastic about the subject, effective in her techniques, patient, perceptive and fun. She uses examples to explain difficult points and peppers the language lessons with bits of cultural and historical information.

Each class is tailored to the individual student so that you learn at your own pace. I highly recommend Vera to anyone who really wants or needs to learn Brazilian Portuguese. Vera is super!

Paul Domiciano

My name is Paul. I am Brazilian and have lived in the United States for many years. I am an electrical engineer and handle some Brazilian accounts. I also write articles for Brazilian magazines.

I met Vera through a search engine and hired her as an editor. Vera's work has been outstanding! She not only manages my Portuguese with zeal, but she also gives me suggestions on how to better express my ideas.

Vera's bilingual knowledge is also very helpful since we can communicate in either Portuguese or English. I also think she is a very pleasant and fun person to deal with.

Thank you, Vera, for your help. I really appreciate your work!

Jim Voyvodich

My name is Jim Voyvodich and I work for Delta Airlines. I had taken a Portuguese extension class, but I realized the classroom experience was not for me.

My real language experience began when I found Vera. I have been taking classes for about six months now and have enjoyed every moment.

Vera teaches at my pace and has walked me along the road to learning Portuguese. She is very flexible and has great insight in her teaching methods.

Portuguese is a very difficult language to learn, and Vera has made learning it a joy. If you are serious about learning Portuguese, then Vera is the person you need.

Monika Wuttke

I have been taking Portuguese lessons with Vera Donnelly for about two months. A friend recommended Vera, and I have found her teaching methods to be very effective.

What I enjoy most about her class is how she incorporates Brazilian culture with learning the language. As a fluent Spanish speaker, I enjoy seeing the similarities of the languages, as well as the many differences.

The hardest aspect for me has been pronunciation, and Vera has done a wonderful job encouraging me and making sure I understand the correct pronunciation.

I am learning Portuguese for business purposes, and I hope to have the language skills to travel and conduct business.

Boris Bender

Vera is a very effective and wonderful teacher. She is not just teaching me words and phrases, but knows how to explain historic facts and how Portuguese is spoken in Brazil.

I love her lessons and I love Brazil. If you are considering learning how to speak Portuguese, I highly recommend Vera Donnelly as a teacher.

Celina Sonnie

My name is Celina Sonnie and I found Vera's web page via Google. The page gave excellent information on Vera and her background, as well as her lessons.

I have thoroughly enjoyed our lessons and found them extremely effective. I especially like her teaching methods and being immersed in Brazilian culture.

From what I have experienced, Vera is one of the best teachers I have had because of her conversational and learning approach.

Serena Darosa

Before I started taking lessons online with Vera, I had tried other methods to learn Portuguese by myself, including books and flash cards. Some methods were helpful, but most were not.

At first I thought Vera's online lessons were kind of fast, but she is a very understanding teacher and assured me that I could take all the time I needed in order to really absorb the information.

Though I'm just starting, I believe there is a lot I will learn from Vera. I am very confident that she will do her best as a teacher to see that my needs as a student are met. If you are serious about learning Portuguese, she is the teacher for you!

Brad Surak

My wife is Brazilian, and it has been a long-time goal of mine to learn Portuguese. I originally enrolled in classes elsewhere and found it difficult and expensive to progress at the speed I had hoped for.

While my goal was to speak fluently in casual settings, I also wanted to speak very well and have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of the language so I could use Portuguese in business.

I wanted to follow a structured curriculum that combined reading, writing and speaking Portuguese. Vera exceeded my expectations. Her experience, vast knowledge of languages and love of Brazilian history make for interesting and productive lessons.

Vera was able to assess my skill level and tailor lessons to my particular needs. Her lessons combine music, cultural discussions, reading, writing and video to immerse her students in Portuguese.

I'm extremely happy with the results! Vera is such a supportive and professional instructor that my lessons with her have become one of the most enjoyable parts of my week. I would strongly recommend her to anyone looking to learn Portuguese!

Larry Nickell

I feel very fortunate to have found Vera Donnelly to translate Portuguese on my three-way calls to Brazil.

Her English is excellent and her service is professional. I know that I can rely on Vera to give an accurate translation of both sides of the conversation.

Vera has also been helpful after the call with an analysis of the conversation based on her unique understanding of life in Brazil.

Linda Slupsky

Dear Professora Vera, although we had never met before my Portuguese classes began, I felt like we were old friends. Your methods of teaching were very effective. They were challenging, yet flexible, and you were always willing to accommodate my wishes.

When I began studying with you, I intended to do translations into Portuguese. After a short time, we changed our focus to learning about the language and Brazilian culture. It was truly worth the long drive for your classes.

Even years later, I continued to strive to improve my Portuguese. On a later trip to Brazil, I was able to hold a conversation with a perfect stranger for nearly two hours, and he said he could understand everything I was saying.

A great teacher is one that students remember and follow long after the teaching ends. Thank you for being a great teacher of Brazilian culture, the language and life. Obrigada.

Reid Middleton

I am a lawyer in San Diego and have been taking Portuguese lessons from Vera for the past month and am thrilled with the results.

I have been to Brazil twice and am anxious to go back. I am very confident that after my lessons with Vera I will be able to speak Portuguese well enough to meet more people and experience more things on my next trip to Brazil.

Vera is very patient and speaks great English, so the lessons are clear and easy to understand. I highly recommend taking lessons from Vera Donnelly.