How to Learn Basic Portuguese

After a long, cold winter, you're going to be heading to Rio for Carnival season. But if your language skills consist of three French curses, half a dozen German verbs, and a Swahili phrase you memorized before heading for Nairobi that means "Will you bring the lifeboat to my hotel room?" rather than the intended "Where is the nearest money exchange?" you need to learn Portuguese You could attach an English/Portuguese dictionary to your hand and risk missing sights and sounds, but a better method is learning basic phrases before you go.

Things You'll Need

• Portuguese language classes
• Portuguese tutor
• Movies and music
• Audio Portuguese program
• Dictionary

Instructions

1. Quell the common misconception that basic Portuguese and basic Spanish are simply a matter of pronunciation, and don't plan to just use your high school Espanol to get by during your trip south or east. More than 210 million people around the world speak Portuguese, and it's the sixth most often-spoken language on the planet. You're not going to be able to rely upon your Spanish for as much help as you may think.

2. Sign up for a basic Portuguese language class at a local college, university, or high school to learn basics that can take you from the airport to Sugar Loaf Mountain in addition to getting you into the right bathrooms, affordable lodgings, and restaurants when you require them.

3. Reinforce your in-class experiences with a private tutor. Native speakers are worth their weight in gold because you'll not only master the quirky nuances of this romantic language but you'll learn idioms and colloquialisms that can make the difference between being directed to a little-known hot spot at your destination or to a tourist trap. Check local schools for Portuguese tutor references. Live in a large city? Seek out the Portuguese embassy or consulate for leads and referrals -- and make certain you mention the fact that you're just seeking to learn basics.

4. Head for the library and check out basic Portuguese-language CD programs so you can play the disks in your car, on your Walkman, and on your home CD player. Some folks claim that playing language CDs all night long helps learners internalize a language, but there are just as many people who will attest to the fact that this method does nothing more than keep the listener from getting a good night sleep. Your call.

5. Search your favorite movie provider for as many Portuguese movies as time allows you to watch before you leave on your trip. Both Netflix and Blockbuster can fix you up with plenty of audiovisual reinforcement. If you reside in an area that has a preponderance of Portuguese expatriates, you might find that your library stocks a bounty of Portuguese films and music. If you're of a certain age, dig out your old Carlos Antonio Jobim and Brazil Five vinyls and spend more time listening to the words than fixating on Astrid Gilberto's eyes on the album cover.

6. Invest in entry-level Rosetta Stone or Berlitz language programs if Portuguese classes aren't an option in your area, if you're unable to find a tutor, or if you just don't have the time to spend watching Portuguese films. While not inexpensive, Rosetta Stone is known for being a superior language-learning system. Many say it surpasses the once-reigning Berlitz methodology. Governments regularly turn to Rosetta Stone to train foreign service workers heading for overseas posts, so you can't lose if you decide to make an investment in the basic course.

7. Hire a translator when you get to your destination for the first few days of your visit. Once your ears become accustomed to hearing nothing but Portuguese, all of that learning in which you invested time and money will pay off big time. Your hotel concierge can help you find a translator or check with the American consulate for a referral. Having applied due diligence to your mission to learn basic Portuguese, the only task you'll have left on your agenda is to get to the front of the line when the Carnival parade steps off so you don't miss seeing -- or hearing -- a thing.

References

• Portuguese Net
• Portuguese Language Guide
• Rosetta Stone