Read Short Stories to Learn Brazilian Portuguese!
If you’re looking for an enjoyable and effective way to learn Brazilian Portuguese, I wrote New Horizon just for you.
Hi! I’m Camila Meireles, a Brazilian Portuguese teacher, and I’ve been helping foreigners speak real, natural Portuguese for over 13 years.
In this post, I’ll tell you exactly what my book New Horizon: Portuguese Through Stories is about, how it helps you improve your Portuguese vocabulary, and why it’s one of the best tools for anyone who wants to read in Portuguese and truly connect with the language.
What is New Horizon?
New Horizon is a story-based book designed for learners of Brazilian Portuguese who want to go beyond grammar drills and actually understand and enjoy Portuguese.
Each chapter is a short story written in simple, authentic Portuguese. It’s perfect for intermediate learners, motivated beginners, or anyone who wants to practice Portuguese reading with real emotion and context.
Here’s what you’ll find in each story:
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A powerful, emotional short story in Portuguese
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A vocabulary list with key words and expressions
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Comprehension questions (with answers)
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A complete English translation of the story
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Extra questions to help you speak and reflect
Example from the book: Real stories, real emotions
One of the stories that students tell me they’ll never forget is só você importa (“only you matter”). It’s a love letter from Gilberto, a man in his 60s, to Raimundo, his lifelong partner. They’ve had to hide their relationship for years:
“A verdade é que esta cidade é pequena demais para o nosso amor.”
The truth is, this town is too small for our love.
This isn’t just reading practice in Portuguese — it’s a chance to feel something while you learn. You’ll pick up expressions like:
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andar de mãos dadas – to walk holding hands
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sem reservas – without reservations
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na calada da noite – in the dead of night
And that’s just one of the six original stories in the book. There’s also:
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A woman reflecting on an age-gap relationship in nossas diferenças não nos separam
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A story about silence and heartbreak in o silêncio machuca
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An alien encounter in o alienígena (yes, really!)
Why learn Portuguese through stories?
If you’re asking, “How can I improve my Portuguese vocabulary?” or “How do I practice reading Portuguese?” — this book is the answer.
📚 Reading in Portuguese helps you:
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Learn new words in context
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Improve grammar naturally
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Understand real-life Portuguese expressions
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Build a deeper connection to Brazilian culture
And best of all? When a story moves you, you remember the language much more easily.
There’s also a full course — and it’s not just video!
To help you get even more out of the book, I created a full course version of New Horizon on my website. And no, it’s not just a video course.
The full experience includes:
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🎥 Video lessons for each story — where I explain key vocabulary, expressions, and cultural details
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👥 4 live private classes with our teaching team — to review any story you want, or just practice your conversation skills
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🎧 Audio & podcasts — listen while you walk, drive, or study
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🧠 Quizzes and exercises — reinforce what you’ve learned
You can go at your own pace, and the live classes make sure you always have support when you need it.
A gift for readers
If you’ve already purchased New Horizon, send me an email at camila@thebrazilianways and I’ll give you a 20% discount on the full course.
Ready to start learning?
How to Get the Book and Course
You can get the book on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DC6GH451) and sign up for the full New Horizon course right now at: https://thebrazilianways.com/courses/new-horizon-book-club/
This book is one of the best ways to improve your Portuguese naturally, using stories that make you feel and think — in Portuguese.
Can’t wait to see you inside!
Warmly,
Camila Meireles
Creator of The Brazilian Ways
