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.
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.