I was thinking how odd it is that Spanish is one of the “easier” languages to learn and Portuguese is one of the more difficult, and yet, here the two countries sit, right next to each other, sharing the Iberian Peninsula.
So interesting to hear about the other courses you've tried. I can't afford to buy a course, the prices are prohibitive when converted to South African Rands!
I'm also a visual learner and find the pronunciation of the Michel Thomas course does not help me "see" the words. I am using Tobo for vocab though, so that helps me get the spelling alongside the pronunciation. Also listening to podcasts such as the Tradutext course and Coffee Break Portuguese.
BTW, I'm learning Portuguese purely for interest's sake... 🙄
I appreciate you covering your journey in learning Portuguese. It’s a tough language, but for the progress, steady and slowly is beginning to pay off, but no where near fluency.
This is good information. I speak Spanish conversationally so that helps a little bit, but, as you said, Portuguese is difficult. I have access to free group lessons through my employer, Berlitz Language Services so I will take advantage of that when it is closer to my move date, which isn't for a couple of years. Right now, I want to work on improving my Spanish. My friend, who is moving with me to Portugal, doesn't speak either language. She had read that English is generally taught for several years at the schools in Portugal and that most people speak English. I don't know how true this is.
Most of the people under 40 speak some English and most will apologize, saying "My English is not very good" and yep... fairly fluent to very fluent. It depends on where you are, too. If you're in Lisbon, Porto, a major city or if you're in a tourist area as I am, you can get by with a minimum of Portuguese. But I want to hang with the coffee ladies in the village. They are my age or so and speak very little English.
So interesting to hear about the other courses you've tried. I can't afford to buy a course, the prices are prohibitive when converted to South African Rands!
I'm also a visual learner and find the pronunciation of the Michel Thomas course does not help me "see" the words. I am using Tobo for vocab though, so that helps me get the spelling alongside the pronunciation. Also listening to podcasts such as the Tradutext course and Coffee Break Portuguese.
BTW, I'm learning Portuguese purely for interest's sake... 🙄
I appreciate you covering your journey in learning Portuguese. It’s a tough language, but for the progress, steady and slowly is beginning to pay off, but no where near fluency.
This is good information. I speak Spanish conversationally so that helps a little bit, but, as you said, Portuguese is difficult. I have access to free group lessons through my employer, Berlitz Language Services so I will take advantage of that when it is closer to my move date, which isn't for a couple of years. Right now, I want to work on improving my Spanish. My friend, who is moving with me to Portugal, doesn't speak either language. She had read that English is generally taught for several years at the schools in Portugal and that most people speak English. I don't know how true this is.
Most of the people under 40 speak some English and most will apologize, saying "My English is not very good" and yep... fairly fluent to very fluent. It depends on where you are, too. If you're in Lisbon, Porto, a major city or if you're in a tourist area as I am, you can get by with a minimum of Portuguese. But I want to hang with the coffee ladies in the village. They are my age or so and speak very little English.
I agree...I hate all those upsells!