The Idiomatic Labs

A product of The Idiomatic Labs

The Expat - Portuguese

Speak beyond translation.

In private testing · Coming soon

Brazilian Portuguese built around the conversations and situations learners actually encounter, from introductions and restaurants to work, travel, relationships and everyday life.

The Expat is for English speakers who live in Brazil or are getting ready to move there, and for anyone who wants the Portuguese of everyday Brazilian life. It teaches the Portuguese Brazilians speak today, including everyday forms such as a gente, and is built to give learners confidence in real conversation.

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How The Expat teaches

  • Learn in context

    Each lesson teaches a pattern for something you need to say, such as what you want, where something is or what it costs, and you use it straight away in full sentences. Conversation practice then puts it to work in situations such as meeting someone or ordering in a restaurant.

  • Practice real conversation

    You practice speaking in realistic exchanges with a conversation partner, by voice or by typing. The partner is an AI-generated voice, and the app tells you so.

  • Adapt as you learn

    The Expat keeps track of what you have learned and what still needs work, and brings the weaker points back into your practice.

What practice looks like

  • Write it in Portuguese

    Translate everyday English sentences into Portuguese. Every answer is checked, and a wrong one gets feedback on what to fix, then another try.

  • Hear it spoken

    Hear feedback and hints read aloud, and hear the answer spoken in Brazilian Portuguese when you ask to see it. The audio uses an AI-generated voice.

  • Say it out loud

    Practice short conversations built around everyday situations.

  • See your progress

    Follow what you have learned, and review what needs another look.

Inside the app

Two screens from the iPhone app, taken from our own test run.

  • The Expat’s Learn screen: a choice of Quick (5 min), Standard (15 min) or Deep (30 min) sessions, the next lesson, “Eu vou + infinitive”, and Unit 1, “Building your first sentences”, with its first lessons.
    Learn. Pick a 5, 15 or 30 minute session, or go straight to the next lesson.
  • The Expat’s Practice screen: the English sentence “I live in Brazil.”, labelled “Written with AI; not yet checked by a native Brazilian speaker.”, the learner’s answer “Eu moro do Brasil.” and the feedback “Not quite. Check ‘do Brasil’. Use the preposition meaning ‘in’ with the article, not ‘do’.”, with the buttons Check again, Hint, Teach me this and Skip.
    Practice. A wrong answer gets a pointer to the part to fix, then another try.

Where the course goes

The course is planned to move from first sentences to independent conversation, organized around the situations of life in Brazil.

  • First conversations

    • First sentences
    • Talking to someone
    • Asking for information
    • Meeting people
    • Numbers, time and dates

  • Everyday life

    • Food and restaurants
    • Shopping and money
    • Transport and directions
    • Home and housing
    • Health and the pharmacy

  • Work and travel

    • Work and study
    • Travel and lodging
    • Professional communication

  • Social life

    • Plans and invitations
    • Friends and relationships
    • Texting and messaging
    • Natural reactions

The Expat is in private testing. Three units are open to testers now: first sentences, talking to someone and asking for information. The rest of the course is planned.

Availability

The Expat - Portuguese is in private testing. It is not yet available in the App Store or Google Play, and this page will say when it is.

Questions about The Expat? Write to support@theidiomaticlabs.com.