scot47

In language learning and teaching I have found TV programmes made for young children are very useful. Simple ideas expressed in basic language.

bons

I think I'd like to use that alongside structured learning.

This is very good so far. Thorough explanations with lots of exercises with listening and speaking opportunities. There is a mic that records you speaking, my best was 43%, that's about right. I've done something to the mic now and it's not recording my voice.

bons

Understanding Portuguese people speak is going to be difficult, they don't seem to bother with vowels!!!

philat98

Have you lookea language exchange like Tandem? You create a profile to contact a Portuguese English language learner who is at a similar level.

bons

No, that sounds good. The only problem is, I can barely speak Portuguese and if the other person can barely speak English, how will it work?

philat98

You could always try it. Probably it is difficult finding a good partner. In my experience things like Duolingo are good for buying train tickets and booking hotel rooms but not too good for communicating with the locals.

bons

It's definately worth a try and I'm going to register. It could be difficult when we won't be able to help each other out with problems. Duolingo is no good for listening to the accent as it's totally different. I actually like this programme better.

philat98

I worked with a Spaniard who could speak Italian, Dutch and English. He said that Portuguese was a bit tricky!

bons

I find Portuguese far harder than French or Spanish.

Fluffyhead

When we came 12 years ago my local camara had free classes to learn Portuguese and we went for several years. I understood that the EU had said countries should supply this and 1 year we even got paid a small sum by the EU to go! They haven't been held in my area for a while now. Does anyone know if Portugal is still supposed to be providing lessons?

bons

I would think that Covid has put paid to any of that for now.

Rambling archer

Yes, they are supposed to be as part of a scheme to encourage immigrants of all types to integrate better ... there is supposedly a course at our local Polytechnic but since it was shut til november because of the Covid, I don't know if the course ran this year or not - I doubt it ... Next session would now be due to start September 2021 though I think the bumf I looked at early in 2020 before the Pest hit us all, said you could join at any time though i don't know how that would work to try to merge in when everyone else has been doing it for months and you turn up later.

Red Eric

You'd probably be OK - the Portuguese communicate mainly with the hands.

wellinever

or shout and dont let you finish a sentence and just carry on talking for ever and ever and ever, and then they ask themselves another question (and why)

toots sweet

Portuguese IS a bit tricky...(and my PT OH agrees) They have numerous words all meaning the same. For example, recently I have noticed on the TV that they use the word "altura" for "time" to mean (maybe not this) time. Always thought "altura" meant height. In English time is just... time! Another thing I find is that some words are a bit illogical/confusing . Eg the verb "subir" means to rise(numbers rising etc) Anything with "sub" in it must surely be under or below ... submarine, subterranean, so lower. What a confusing language.... AND they speak too fast!!!! I cheat a bit cos I use a hearing aid in one ear and I'll point to it, shake my head and hope they speak slower.