About us
Who’s this guy talking to Vasco da Gama?
That’s me—Randy Hough, the person behind FalaPT.
I’m retired now, living in the Azores with my wonderful wife, Margarete (Peg). But my connection to Portugal goes back a long way.
My Portuguese journey began in 1974, when I crossed into Portugal from Spain, without a valid visa. It was during the dictatorship, and yes, it was a bit nerve-wracking. I was young, curious, and willing to take risks.
At the time, hardly anyone spoke English, so I decided I needed to learn Portuguese, really learn it.
I had no teacher or structured course. What I did have was a good ear and a strong desire to communicate. I listened, imitated what I heard, and gradually developed a feel for the rhythm and sounds of the language.
Fast forward 50 years, and here I am again.
We came to the Azores for a vacation, and some dental work. Both turned out to be excellent decisions. After a few visits, we bought a small stone house on Terceira.
Now we’re residents, on the path to citizenship.
Over the years, I’ve tried most Portuguese learning methods. What works best for me is combining structured material with real conversation. I learn grammar as I need it.
In the end, it’s all about communication.
You have to start someplace, right? I’ve learned that, if I can say a few things correctly so people understand me, they open up and are very welcoming. It’s hard to slow down and be a beginner, but there is simply no other way.
Speak clearly and be understood
Mission
FalaPT helps you speak European Portuguese clearly and confidently – by mastering the sounds that matter.
Why it matters
You don’t need perfect grammar to be understood, but you do need clear pronunciation.
Meet Our Team
Randy Hough
Founder & Lead Trainer
He created FalaPT to help learners hear, practice, and speak real European Portuguese with more confidence.
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Clóvis Alves
Senior Portuguese Instructor
He teaches, edits scripts, and records audio to help learners achieve clear, natural Portuguese.
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Susana Oliveira
Native European Portuguese Speaker
She helps ensure FalaPT content sounds natural, accurate, and authentically European Portuguese.
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LANGUAGE IS CONNECTION
If you talk to a man in a language he understands,
that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his
language, that goes to his heart.
— Nelson Mandela
Services
European Portuguese Tutoring
Pronunciation Coaching
Audio & Video Editing
Voiceover Services
Translation, Proofreading & Editing
Contact
Hours
Online Support
Portugal / Azores time