Portugues Carioca is in a class by itself… I remember that first day, sitting there thinking “how is she getting me to say all of this when I don’t speak any Portuguese yet?!” But it’s just building block on building block – starting with the basics and adding on. The methodology focuses on teaching structures that are immediately useful and can be formulated into useful sentences throughout the day. In other language classes, the instructor would explain things (when to use certain verbs, for example) so the ‘work’ was to learn what those different scenarios were. In Marcia’s class, we learn how to use the correct verbs through speaking. Then, when I am on the street, on the phone or in a cab, the correct words come out because I have already said them many times in many different ways in the class. Here’s what the class is not: passive! We are very engaged for every second of the class; I really feel like I get my money’s worth. We spend the entire 75 minutes formulating sentences and questions and responses, all the while drilling the pronunciation…