1. Listen without the transcript

Start by listening without a transcript. Aim to listen a couple of times through. If the audio is far beyond your current level and you struggle to understand it, consider reading an English translation first. This will give you a general idea of the content. Then, go back and listen to the audio again.

You can also use the audio to work on your pronunciation. Put meaning aside and concentrate solely on the sounds. Shadow the speaker, mimicking their sounds, rhythm, and intonation as closely as you can. If you encounter sounds that trip you up, hit pause and work on mastering them. As you try to replicate the sounds, pay close attention to how your mouth moves – your lips, jaw, and tongue. The more aware you become of these physical movements, the easier it will be to produce the sounds correctly.

2. Turn on the transcript

Now with the text in front of you, you can fill in the gaps. Don’t rush to look up new words in the dictionary or look inside the translation. Instead, try to figure out their meaning from the context as this leads to better word retention. On the other hand, use the English translation to help you figure out idiomatic expressions.

3. Listen one last time without the transcript

Take a short break before this final step. Listen to the audio one final time. Everything should sound clearer now. Don’t forget to celebrate the progress you’ve just made. Well done!

Audio Bites to Sharpen Your Ears and Expand Your Portuguese Across All Topics

Portugal’s Lusitania province, once part of the Roman Empire, gained renown for its extensive production of exquisite canned fish.*

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Translation

Roman Portugal, Lusitania was a region of the Roman Empire that also became known for its large and famous productions of high-quality canned fish.

Tróia consumed unbelievable quantities of fish and salt. In fact, Tróia is probably home to the largest canning factory in the entire Roman Empire.

We also have important remains in the Tagus estuary, both on the Almada side and in Lisbon.

You can see the remains on the first floor of Casa dos Bicos or in Rua do Ouro, all of which can be visited today.

The number of fish salting tanks that exist in the city of Lisbon makes it possible to talk about an industry that was established here, although fish processing was a common practice in pre-Roman times…

* “Portugal tem lata,” RTP Play