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On March 24, 2025, the University of California, Berkeley hosted a special workshop titled “Digital Competences and Tools in the Teaching of Portuguese as a Foreign Language,” led by renowned educator and researcher Adelina Moura. Held at Philosophy Hall, the event brought together a diverse group of Portuguese language instructors from across California, all committed to exploring the potential of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in language education.

The workshop centered on innovative tools designed to enhance classroom engagement and foster student autonomy. Moura presented platforms such asLearningApps.org, which allows educators to create interactive, gamified learning activities, and Perplexity.ai, an AI-based research assistant that supports inquiry-based learning and critical thinking. These tools, among others, were introduced within a framework that emphasized the importance of integrating technology meaningfully into language pedagogy to reflect the realities of a digitally connected world.

Adelina Moura brings a wealth of experience and academic rigor to her training. She holds a degree in Portuguese and French Language Teaching, a postgraduate diploma in School Administration, a Master’s in Pedagogical Supervision of Portuguese Teaching, and a Doctorate in Educational Sciences with a focus on Educational Technology from the University of Minho. Moura has contributed extensively to the field of mobile learning, both in Portugal and internationally, and is an active researcher with GILT (Games, Interaction, and Learning Technologies) at the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto and LabTE (Educational Technology Laboratory) at the University of Coimbra. She has also collaborated with Porto Editora and the National Reading Plan 2027, and continues to serve as a tutor and trainer for Camões, Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua.

This workshop was made possible with the generous support of Camões, I.P., FLAD (Luso-American Development Foundation), Porto Editora, and LIDEL, whose commitment to promoting Portuguese language education and pedagogical innovation continues to shape the future of language learning in the United States.

Moura’s insights and hands-on approach empowered educators to adopt new tools that foster creativity, collaboration, and deeper engagement among learners.

Attendees included:

Joann Malta Weingard, Portuguese School of East Bay

Carlo Stresino, Bakersfield College / Kern Unified School District

Belina Feijó, Tulare Union High School

Carina Ott, Tulare Western High School / Fresno State University

Luís Nunes, San José High School

Duarte Pinheiro, Camões IP / San José State University

Cristina Rocha, Central Valley High School (Ceres)

Joseph Sousa, Turlock High School

James Toste, John Pitman High School (Turlock)

Arminda Machado, Elim Elementary School (Hilmar)

Clara Antrim, Elim Elementary School (Hilmar)

Adriana Gomes, Elim Elementary School (Hilmar)

Melissa Cunha, Hilmar Middle School

Rui Sousa, Saint Mary's School (Stockton)