When I was learning German, I found that the best way to pick it up was by just using it in everyday situations. Whether it was chatting with neighbors, ordering food, or just picking up bits of conversation from my daily routine, it really helped me get a feel for the language.
I also started watching German movies with subtitles, which made such a difference. It’s like you’re learning without feeling like you’re “studying,” and it’s way more fun than sitting in a class. Classes just never seemed to click with me the way these simple, real-world methods did. Plus, seeing the language in context while enjoying a movie made me feel way more connected to it.
Hi Sindy, thank you so much for talking about your language learning experience, I couldn’t agree more!!!
Classes don’t work for me either, I’m not a book learner, it has to be fun!!
I usually watch shows either in Portuguese with Portuguese subtitles or switch it around. :) This is why so many Portuguese people know English! All the movies here are in their original language with Portuguese subtitles!
What an excellent compilation of resources! I’m struggling with Mexican Spanish since I’m in Mexico. It’s definitely a journey. I’m excited to say I told a five ish minute story tonight in Spanish with my intercambio partner! It’s a breakthrough for me.
Hi Jen! Thank you!! I hope it helped you a little even though it’s mostly for Portuguese and not Spanish. But wowww that’s amazing about your 5 minute conversation!!! Huge congratulations!!!! 🎉🎈
I really enjoyed reading this as I worked on learning Portuguese for 6 months last year and used a number of these resources. As a lifelong language teacher, I felt Portuguese Lab Academy was the most pedagogically sound tool, although it is painstaking to get through, but that's what learning a language is about! And Drops was a great complement as it focuses on vocabulary in a systematic way.
I'd be interested in hearing a bit more about the Portuguese government classes. I've read that they are rather old-fashioned.
I loved the government class but it's due to the teacher, she is amazing! I didn't find it old-fashioned but am also unsure what exactly is meant by that. Our teacher was certainly quite modern and joked a lot but the best part is that she encouraged everyone to speak! I know several people who went to slow, pricey, private schools and now, 2 years later they still can't speak because they were never encouraged to.
As a lifelong teacher, you probably have an advantage! Re: Portuguese Lab Academy, I agree it's painstaking and that's what learning a language is but when I wanted to continue with it, I was disappointed because I can't afford it any longer. I wish there was a lifetime membership option like with drops and memrise.
I wish you the best of luck on your Portuguese Language Journey!
By old-fashioned, I meant based on a lot of reading and grammar and less speaking. I suppose there is a precise curriculum based on the European Union reference system and that it really depends a lot on the teacher. I’m glad you found a good one!
My Portuguese language journey is over. I went to Lisbon in October 2022 and was so charmed by “everything Portugal” that I decided to try to learn the language. But learning a brand new language was also a long-standing desire of mine — I wanted to see what it was like to be on the other side of that process again.
My goal was to go back to Lisbon, alone this time, take a 1-week language course in one of those “expensive private schools”, and be able to function in a lower A2 level class. I was a true beginner but studied on my own for 6 months and was able to do just that.
I was quite disappointed by the quality of the classes, but I still had a fabulous time — a lot of fun with my fellow students, plus just enjoying the experience of doing this on my own at the age of 63.
However, when I came back, I realized I had no further goal regarding Portuguese, so I moved on to other pursuits.
Hi Betty, well it sounds like you had a great experience anyway!
My government class was mainly focused on speaking but yes there is a particular curriculum too.
I’m glad you took the leap, even if you’ve stopped (for now). I’m almost 60 and it’s the first language I’ve ever seriously tried to learn. I like to say that I’m determined to speak it, even if that doesn’t happen until I’m 90 :)
I can’t imagine learning in week intensive but I am also here alone. I came here alone 2 years ago, sight unseen, knowing no one, and it was the best thing I’ve ever done!
It definitely helped to already master French -- some concepts came more naturally to me, such as masculine and feminine forms. But they aren't the same, so it's still a difficult point.
Thank you, I think I’m a varied-learner type but languages are a struggle often combining them all in a bucket!
Thought you’d be interested in this approach as our teacher is turning the pages of a story he started writing for us over a year ago into a book. It is, I suppose, a bit like teachers’ notes using the verb tenses and vocabulary he’s trying to get into our weary (4hour class) brains!
When I was learning German, I found that the best way to pick it up was by just using it in everyday situations. Whether it was chatting with neighbors, ordering food, or just picking up bits of conversation from my daily routine, it really helped me get a feel for the language.
I also started watching German movies with subtitles, which made such a difference. It’s like you’re learning without feeling like you’re “studying,” and it’s way more fun than sitting in a class. Classes just never seemed to click with me the way these simple, real-world methods did. Plus, seeing the language in context while enjoying a movie made me feel way more connected to it.
Thank you for putting this together!
Hi Sindy, thank you so much for talking about your language learning experience, I couldn’t agree more!!!
Classes don’t work for me either, I’m not a book learner, it has to be fun!!
I usually watch shows either in Portuguese with Portuguese subtitles or switch it around. :) This is why so many Portuguese people know English! All the movies here are in their original language with Portuguese subtitles!
Are you still practicing your German?
Yes my husband is German so I am practicing at home with him and the kids. Best way to practice 😆We speak multiple languages at home.
Oh that’s awesome!!!!
Learning a new language teachs humility.
Absolutely!!! Very good point!!! And who doesn't need/want a dose of humility!?!?!
What an excellent compilation of resources! I’m struggling with Mexican Spanish since I’m in Mexico. It’s definitely a journey. I’m excited to say I told a five ish minute story tonight in Spanish with my intercambio partner! It’s a breakthrough for me.
Hi Jen! Thank you!! I hope it helped you a little even though it’s mostly for Portuguese and not Spanish. But wowww that’s amazing about your 5 minute conversation!!! Huge congratulations!!!! 🎉🎈
Thank you!
You're welcome! It really is an accomplishment and I'd love to hear about more of your progress!!
I really enjoyed reading this as I worked on learning Portuguese for 6 months last year and used a number of these resources. As a lifelong language teacher, I felt Portuguese Lab Academy was the most pedagogically sound tool, although it is painstaking to get through, but that's what learning a language is about! And Drops was a great complement as it focuses on vocabulary in a systematic way.
I'd be interested in hearing a bit more about the Portuguese government classes. I've read that they are rather old-fashioned.
I loved the government class but it's due to the teacher, she is amazing! I didn't find it old-fashioned but am also unsure what exactly is meant by that. Our teacher was certainly quite modern and joked a lot but the best part is that she encouraged everyone to speak! I know several people who went to slow, pricey, private schools and now, 2 years later they still can't speak because they were never encouraged to.
As a lifelong teacher, you probably have an advantage! Re: Portuguese Lab Academy, I agree it's painstaking and that's what learning a language is but when I wanted to continue with it, I was disappointed because I can't afford it any longer. I wish there was a lifetime membership option like with drops and memrise.
I wish you the best of luck on your Portuguese Language Journey!
By old-fashioned, I meant based on a lot of reading and grammar and less speaking. I suppose there is a precise curriculum based on the European Union reference system and that it really depends a lot on the teacher. I’m glad you found a good one!
My Portuguese language journey is over. I went to Lisbon in October 2022 and was so charmed by “everything Portugal” that I decided to try to learn the language. But learning a brand new language was also a long-standing desire of mine — I wanted to see what it was like to be on the other side of that process again.
My goal was to go back to Lisbon, alone this time, take a 1-week language course in one of those “expensive private schools”, and be able to function in a lower A2 level class. I was a true beginner but studied on my own for 6 months and was able to do just that.
I was quite disappointed by the quality of the classes, but I still had a fabulous time — a lot of fun with my fellow students, plus just enjoying the experience of doing this on my own at the age of 63.
However, when I came back, I realized I had no further goal regarding Portuguese, so I moved on to other pursuits.
Hi Betty, well it sounds like you had a great experience anyway!
My government class was mainly focused on speaking but yes there is a particular curriculum too.
I’m glad you took the leap, even if you’ve stopped (for now). I’m almost 60 and it’s the first language I’ve ever seriously tried to learn. I like to say that I’m determined to speak it, even if that doesn’t happen until I’m 90 :)
I can’t imagine learning in week intensive but I am also here alone. I came here alone 2 years ago, sight unseen, knowing no one, and it was the best thing I’ve ever done!
Yes, it was a great experience!
And if you're living in France you already know two other languages so maybe Portuguese came a little easier?
It definitely helped to already master French -- some concepts came more naturally to me, such as masculine and feminine forms. But they aren't the same, so it's still a difficult point.
Thank you, I think I’m a varied-learner type but languages are a struggle often combining them all in a bucket!
Thought you’d be interested in this approach as our teacher is turning the pages of a story he started writing for us over a year ago into a book. It is, I suppose, a bit like teachers’ notes using the verb tenses and vocabulary he’s trying to get into our weary (4hour class) brains!