Introduction:
Portuguese is a Romance language originating in the Iberian Peninsula of Europe. It is the sole official language of Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Brazil, while having co-official language status in East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, and Macau. With approximately 215 to 220 million native speakers and 50 million L2 speakers, Portuguese has approximately 270 million total speakers. It is usually listed as the sixth-most spoken language and the third-most spoken European language in the world in terms of native speakers. Being the most widely spoken language in South America and all of the Southern Hemisphere, it is also the second-most spoken language, after Spanish, in Latin America, one of the 10 most spoken languages in Africa, and is an official language of the European Union, Mercosur, the Organization of American States, the Economic Community of West African States an international organization made up of all of the world’s officially Lusophone nations.
- There are plenty of reasons you should learn Portuguese. Besides the fact that it’s a fun language to learn, there are a handful of reasons to consider, such as career opportunities, academic enhancement, traveling, unique Portuguese culture, the ability to learn other Romance languages more easily.
- Portuguese is not so hard to learn. If you speak English, you’ll find Portuguese grammar easier and simpler. The Portuguese accent is also quite easy to learn, especially if you already know Spanish, as these two have some similarities.
Are you looking for the best way to learn Portuguese? Well, you are in luck! Here are 10 excellent tips that will get you straight to Portuguese fluency.
Important things to know
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Learn With Movies And TV Shows
One of the best ways to learn Portuguese is by regularly exposing yourself to Portuguese learning materials. Even movies and TV shows can help learners to familiarize common words and phrases. This is a very easy and entertaining way to pick up conversational Portuguese in a short amount of time. Netflix is a great place to start looking for Portuguese TV shows and movies.
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Improve Your Conversational Portuguese With Idioms
Idioms can make language learning through the creative and unusual use of words. Here’s an example, “give a cold shoulder” doesn’t literally mean you’re going to give someone a literal cold shoulder. This idiom means to ignore someone. By using idioms, you would see an insight into how natives use their language on daily basis. Portuguese idioms are very interesting because each phrase has a rhythmic motion when spoken.
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Regularly Watch Short Portuguese Videos
As you regularly learn more words and pronunciation, you still need to practice it to use it instinctively. According to a study done by Susanne Rott (University of Illinois), word retention happens when the learner was exposed to it six times within four weeks. If you don’t have time to watch a TV series or a movie, watching short videos in Portuguese regularly is a good alternative. A good starting point is watching kid shows because the language used is simple.
Pronunciation is also slow, making phrases easier to understand and imitate.
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Use A Mobile App or Online Tutoring Services Like Multibhashi
Language learning apps are for people who are easily distracted or want to speak Portuguese fluently as soon as possible. Each lesson is a part of a curriculum that aims for learners to speak Portuguese in the shortest time. Self-paced classes are also available. You can take a break and resume your lessons anytime you want. For learners who prefer a one on one teaching method, tutoring services such as Multibhashi are the best options. Learners can book a tutor in their preferred schedule and have a learning session over the internet. The best thing about Multibhashi is that you can book a free trial to experience the online setup first before buying. Tutors are certified native speakers and approved to teach on the platform.
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Talk To Portuguese Natives / Fellow Portuguese Learners
Learning without practice will not work in any type of skills, including languages. The application of the concepts that you learned on a regular basis is what makes you proficient in something. That’s why if you want to speak Portuguese fluently, you need to apply it in every conversation possible. To find study buddies, there are tons of groups from Social Media sites who are willing to practice Portuguese. Another alternative is to find a tutor who will help you practice by regularly engaging in a conversation.
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Follow Portuguese YouTubers
If TV shows and movies can consume tons of your time, why not try tuning in to Portuguese YouTubers and Podcast creators?
Since YouTube contents are more diverse, you can find more videos that appeal to your interests. Additionally, most Portuguese YouTubers use words and phrases that you’ll likely hear being used in a daily conversation.
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Talk to yourself in Portuguese
If you can’t find any online friends to help you practice Portuguese, you can even talk to yourself. Not by yourself, but to yourself. As crazy as that sounds, expressing your thoughts in Portuguese can help you master the language faster. If you prove to be persevering, you’ll soon discover that you will be able to form a line of thought directly into the Portuguese language.
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Focus On Learning Sentences Instead Of Words
Words are sometimes enough to convey your ideas clearly. For example, if you want someone to run, saying the word “core” will do the trick. But to become more proficient in a language, a learner should be able to connect words together and make a coherent sentence. Practicing sentences is what makes you a better Portuguese speaker. So make sure to learn grammar and sentence structures by heart.
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Conclusion
There is no “proper” way to learn Portuguese or any language in particular. It all depends on how you motivate yourself and dedicate your time and resources to learning new skills.
But we can always make the process easier and more fun! If you need more guidance in studying Portuguese or other languages, don’t hesitate to try language learning platforms like Multibhashi. Learn at your own pace, set, and reach your goals with the help of certified private tutors online. I hope that these tips will help you through your journey as a Portuguese learner.