Ann Louise Penido

Introduction: I teach Portuguese and Italian. I was born in Rio de Janeiro and lived in Italy (Rome). I live in Los Angeles. I was a teacher at the Beverly Hills Lingual Institute but I have developed my own method of teaching, and what makes me unique is that I look at each student as the most important person on earth! The time you spend with me is to learn the language in the most practical and fast way possible but it is also to expand your knowledge about that culture. And most important: to focus on the themes that are important to you. I want you to enjoy every minute of your life. Yes, besides seriously learning you will have fun. Classes are creative, always upbeat. Do you want to learn the language to travel? To move to that language country? To do business? To talk with relatives and friends of that culture? To rescue your heritage? To pass an exam? My first meeting with you is to figure out your goal, your pace, your interests. Then I design the class so that every second you are moving forward in your understanding and speaking skills. Along the way you are laughing and getting insights into the culture. You are the star of the show. Students are surprised when the class is over as they don't feel time pass so entertained they are, and they can't wait to the next one. I enjoy communicating with people from all cultures and helping them discover the beauty and the treasures of a new culture that I know so well. I speak 5 languages and teach 3. Besides being a teacher I am an author and worked several years as a filmmaker, and the last 4 years I worked at Netflix as a tagger for Portuguese, Italian, French and Spanish content. I also worked as the interpreter for the First Ladies of Africa when they came to Los Angeles for the First Ladies of Africa Health Summit ( I interpreted for the First Ladies of Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique ( Portuguese) and Cameroon ( French)). I love travelling and discovering everything about a culture. Every class is very exciting. Teaching provides me the same sensation of travelling. So you, the student will be travelling with me, the best possible guide to the very best of each culture. I have a broad range of interests, I love cooking, art, cinema, literature, sports, science, wellness, politics, history, you name it! Plus I love people! I enjoy getting to know someone and enriching their lives with culture. You come have a class with me and you leave infused with tremendous joy. La vita é bella! A vida vale a pena ser vivida!