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Recently active
Since June 2026
Instructor since June 2026
PhD Language Expert | Portuguese,
From 29 $ /h
Aló / Hola / Hey!
I’m Ryan — and yes, in Portuguese it sounds like “LION,” just swap the LI for a HI. 😊
I’m a PhD language educator with over a decade of experience teaching Spanish, Portuguese, and Academic English at every level — from absolute beginners to advanced university students and professionals. I earned my Ph.D. in Latin American Literature and Culture from the University of Texas at Austin, one of the leading institutions for language pedagogy in the U.S. Since 2024, I have held a position as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
I’ve taught at major universities including the University of Michigan, University of Texas-Austin, Villanova, and Thomas Jefferson University. My experience includes everything from foundational grammar and conversation courses to advanced writing, medical Spanish, Portuguese for Spanish speakers, and culturally focused seminars on race, media, and society in the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking world.
Beyond the classroom, I’ve worked extensively as a professional interpreter and translator in Spanish and Portuguese, supporting migrants, asylum seekers, educators, and public institutions. I’ve also lived and worked across South America and bring real-world cultural experience into every lesson.
Whether you're: starting from scratch, preparing for travel, strengthening academic writing, building professional fluency, maintaining a heritage language, or refining advanced grammar and style, I tailor lessons to your goals with clarity, structure, and encouragement.
My teaching style is rigorous but relaxed — we work hard, we laugh, and you leave each session feeling more confident than when you arrived.
When I’m not teaching, you’ll probably find me biking, rock climbing, birding, or playing guitar.
I’d love to help you reach your language goals. Let’s get started!
-Ryan
I’m Ryan — and yes, in Portuguese it sounds like “LION,” just swap the LI for a HI. 😊
I’m a PhD language educator with over a decade of experience teaching Spanish, Portuguese, and Academic English at every level — from absolute beginners to advanced university students and professionals. I earned my Ph.D. in Latin American Literature and Culture from the University of Texas at Austin, one of the leading institutions for language pedagogy in the U.S. Since 2024, I have held a position as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
I’ve taught at major universities including the University of Michigan, University of Texas-Austin, Villanova, and Thomas Jefferson University. My experience includes everything from foundational grammar and conversation courses to advanced writing, medical Spanish, Portuguese for Spanish speakers, and culturally focused seminars on race, media, and society in the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking world.
Beyond the classroom, I’ve worked extensively as a professional interpreter and translator in Spanish and Portuguese, supporting migrants, asylum seekers, educators, and public institutions. I’ve also lived and worked across South America and bring real-world cultural experience into every lesson.
Whether you're: starting from scratch, preparing for travel, strengthening academic writing, building professional fluency, maintaining a heritage language, or refining advanced grammar and style, I tailor lessons to your goals with clarity, structure, and encouragement.
My teaching style is rigorous but relaxed — we work hard, we laugh, and you leave each session feeling more confident than when you arrived.
When I’m not teaching, you’ll probably find me biking, rock climbing, birding, or playing guitar.
I’d love to help you reach your language goals. Let’s get started!
-Ryan
Location
Online from United States
About Me
Aló / Hola / Hey! I’m Ryan. I’m originally from the United States, but I’ve spent much of my adult life living, studying, teaching, and traveling throughout Latin America, especially Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. These days, Rio de Janeiro is home.
I earned my PhD in Latin American Literature and Culture in 2023, and from 2024 to 2026 I was a postdoctoral research and teaching fellow at the University of Michigan, where I taught Portuguese language and courses on Afro-Brazilian and Latin American culture. Alongside teaching and research, I work professionally as a translator between English, Portuguese, and Spanish, including literary translation, and was recently shortlisted for English PEN’s PEN Presents: Brazil. I’ve spent more than a decade teaching languages at universities and in other educational settings.
I’m endlessly curious and love learning about languages, history, literature, music, politics, different cultures, and the natural world. I’m serious about learning, but not especially serious about myself: I like conversations that wander, unexpected questions, and discovering connections between things.
Outside of work, you’ll usually find me biking, rock climbing, birding, traveling, reading, or playing guitar.
I earned my PhD in Latin American Literature and Culture in 2023, and from 2024 to 2026 I was a postdoctoral research and teaching fellow at the University of Michigan, where I taught Portuguese language and courses on Afro-Brazilian and Latin American culture. Alongside teaching and research, I work professionally as a translator between English, Portuguese, and Spanish, including literary translation, and was recently shortlisted for English PEN’s PEN Presents: Brazil. I’ve spent more than a decade teaching languages at universities and in other educational settings.
I’m endlessly curious and love learning about languages, history, literature, music, politics, different cultures, and the natural world. I’m serious about learning, but not especially serious about myself: I like conversations that wander, unexpected questions, and discovering connections between things.
Outside of work, you’ll usually find me biking, rock climbing, birding, traveling, reading, or playing guitar.
Education
University of Texas at Austin, PhD, Iberian and Latin American Cultures, 2023
Villanova University, MA, Hispanic Studies, With Distinction, 2016
University of Pittsburgh, BA, History and English Writing, Magna Cum Laude, 2009
Villanova University, MA, Hispanic Studies, With Distinction, 2016
University of Pittsburgh, BA, History and English Writing, Magna Cum Laude, 2009
Experience / Qualifications
I have more than 15 years of experience teaching languages in the United States and Latin America. I have taught English, Portuguese, and Spanish at universities including the University of Michigan, the University of Texas at Austin, Villanova University, and Thomas Jefferson University, as well as in schools, corporate settings, and private lessons.
I am a native English speaker with native-level proficiency in Portuguese and Spanish, and I also work professionally as a translator. My experience ranges from beginner language instruction to advanced conversation, grammar, writing, academic English, and specialized courses such as Business English and Medical Spanish. I tailor lessons to each student's level, interests, and goals, with particular attention to clear communication, confidence, and practical language use.
I am a native English speaker with native-level proficiency in Portuguese and Spanish, and I also work professionally as a translator. My experience ranges from beginner language instruction to advanced conversation, grammar, writing, academic English, and specialized courses such as Business English and Medical Spanish. I tailor lessons to each student's level, interests, and goals, with particular attention to clear communication, confidence, and practical language use.
Age
Adults (18-64 years old)
Seniors (65+ years old)
Student level
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Duration
45 minutes
60 minutes
90 minutes
120 minutes
The class is taught in
English
Portuguese
Spanish
Skills
Availability of a typical week
(GMT -04:00)
New York
Online via webcam
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
00-04
04-08
08-12
12-16
16-20
20-24
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