On the morning of Saturday, February 28, Escola Luís de Camões had the honor of welcoming Fernando dos Santos, a respected journalist, researcher, and longtime figure in the Portuguese-American community, for a special meeting with the school’s teachers.
In a warm and thoughtful setting, Fernando dos Santos met with the faculty to discuss a subject that is deeply connected to the mission of our school: the teaching of the Portuguese language outside of Portugal. The conversation focused especially on his latest work, The Origins of Portuguese Language Teaching in the United States, a 397-page volume that marks his sixth published book and was conceived not simply as a book to read, but as a true reference work, historical record, and tribute to the past.
Throughout the session, teachers had the opportunity to hear firsthand from an author who has dedicated years of research to recovering the story of those who, far from their homeland, never gave up on teaching Portuguese to future generations. More than a historical survey, the book stands as a gesture of gratitude toward the Portuguese immigrant community that worked tirelessly to ensure that children and adults alike could learn to read and write in Portuguese.
Fernando dos Santos spoke about the extraordinary efforts of Portuguese immigrant communities, especially in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when many arrivals had limited formal education and yet still understood the importance of preserving their language. In places such as Hawaii and California, those who were able to read and write made enormous sacrifices to help others gain access to literacy and learning. That spirit of perseverance, service, and devotion to the Portuguese language resonated deeply with the teachers of Escola Luís de Camões, who continue that same mission today.
During the visit, the author also shared some of the most compelling discoveries from his research, including the identification of what he found to be the first Portuguese school created within a Portuguese community in the United States: a school established in San Leandro, California, in 1880, interestingly founded by a Brazilian. His book is organized into four parts, tracing how Portuguese entered American universities and high schools, examining its place in higher education, documenting the first secondary schools that offered Portuguese, and highlighting the important role of community-based schools connected to Portuguese-American associations.
Born in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Fernando dos Santos has built a distinguished career dedicated to journalism and community service. He served as managing editor of the bilingual newspaper LUSO-AMERICANO for 33 years, and later held the same role for three additional years at the now-defunct Portuguese Post. His life’s work gives him a unique perspective on the preservation of Portuguese language, culture, and identity in the United States.
Fernando dos Santos’s visit to Escola Luís de Camões was therefore much more than a book talk. It was a meaningful moment of reflection, appreciation, and connection between past and present. It reminded all those present that the teaching of Portuguese in the United States is part of a much larger story—one built by generations of immigrants, educators, volunteers, and community leaders who believed that language is one of the strongest ties to heritage and identity.
Escola Luís de Camões is deeply grateful to Fernando dos Santos for visiting the school and for so generously sharing his knowledge, his research, and his passion for this important subject. It was an enriching and inspiring Saturday morning that will surely remain in the memory of everyone who attended.
