From Portugal to Melbourne — Jo’s life is a masterclass in language, culture, and courage. In this Chinwag Tuesdays episode, I chat with Jo: a hyperpolyglot actress, drama teacher, language teacher, and translator who now calls Australia home.
Jo speaks six languages, has worked in international theatre and education across Europe, and shares what it’s really like performing, teaching, and living in multiple languages. We discuss identity, how language influences your personality, the challenge of switching tongues daily — and her journey learning to understand Aussie English after moving Down Under!
Jo shares what it’s like navigating accent training as a Portuguese speaker, how performing in six languages shapes her voice, and why switching between European and Antipodean English can be so tricky. We dive into speech habits, pronunciation challenges, and how learning Aussie English differs from the British and American varieties.
I’m also proud to be Jo’s Aussie accent coach, helping her embrace the unique sounds and rhythms of Australian English. If you’re a migrant, international student, language lover or professional working on fluency, this episode is packed with relatable insights you won’t want to miss.
Key Highlights:
Meet Jo, the multilingual migrant from Portugal
Growing up near Spain & early exposure to multiple languages
Life in Belgium, France & Luxembourg: Learning through living
Speaking Spanish & Catalan, and language overlap at the border
French differences across Europe & discovering Australian English
Accent confusion: Aussie vs Kiwi vs global English varieties
Jo’s acting journey across languages & the Festival of Mother Tongue
Teaching English and Portuguese in multicultural Melbourne
Language identity, cultural empathy & thoughts on returning home
Looking to improve your own Aussie English?
I offer 1:1 coaching, group classes, and online courses designed to help you sound more natural, build confidence, and feel at home in Australian conversations.
📲 How to Contact Jo:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jo.malta_ and https://instagram.com/@jo.littletheatre_