Intermediate B1

This intensive course is for language learners striving toward the B1 level.

CEFR Scale

My suggestion* for these two weeks is to focus on:

  • perfeito vs. imperfeito / subjunctive mood intro
  • reading and listening comprehension
  • conversation

*There's always room to adjust the course according to the group's preferences:

After this course, you'll have come closer to the B1 level and have the tools and strategies to get there and beyond.

Not sure if you should enroll in the A2 or B1 course?

Clean Slate A0

Geared toward Absolute Beginners, this course gives you a solid start and foundation to build upon.

CEFR Scale

This is an introductory course to the Portuguese language as spoken in Portugal. Throughout the course, we will focus on the Portuguese sound system and basic Portuguese grammar.

You will also learn how to introduce yourself and day-to-day, useful phrases. Finally, we will discuss learning resources and strategies to support your learning journey.

After the course, you will have a basic understanding of European Portuguese pronunciation and grammar. You will also be capable of engaging in simple, short oral interactions. Last but not least, you will be aware of a variety of learning resources and strategies to help you succeed at learning the language.

Portuguese short story for beginners - de maos dadas - Portuguesepedia
Easy Reads for Portuguese Lanugage Learners - Entre a Felicidade e a Tristeza - by Portuguesepedia

I will keep you updated on upcoming course seasons

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Where are you at? (1 Beginner–10 Fluent)

Beginners A2

This intensive course is for language learners striving toward the A2 level.

CEFR Scale

My suggestion* for these two weeks is to focus on:

  • prepositions
  • past tense: perfeito vs. imperfeito
  • listening comprehension and conversation

*There's always room to adjust the course according to the group's preferences:

After this course, you'll have come closer to the A2 level and have the tools and strategies to get there and beyond.

Not sure if you should enroll in the A2 or B1 course?

Beginners A1

This intensive course is for language learners striving toward the A1 level.

If you have just started your learning journey, you may find this course too challenging. Consider enrolling for the Clean Slate A0 instead (if available).

CEFR Scale

This is an all-round course, meaning that we’ll work on all aspects of language learning (at the A1 level):

  • pronunciation
  • listening comprehension
  • reading comprehension
  • conversation
  • grammar

After this course, you'll have come closer to the A1 level and have the tools and strategies to get there and beyond.

Not sure if you should enroll in the A1 or A2 course?

There are plenty of interesting options for our accommodation. It will most likely be a countryside house near Tavira.

I haven't booked it yet because I want to get a better idea of the group's composition (how many couples/singles) and your preferences before I do so. That will for instance help me understand how big a house we might need.

I look forward to soon talking to you about this and much more. Até breve, p

Self-assessment
Where are you at? (1 Beginner–10 Fluent)

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Where are you at? (1 Beginner–10 Fluent)

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Learn Portuguese through Short Stories

Portuguese Tongue Twisters to Improve Your Pronunciation Skills

Portuguese tongue twisters are a great way to work on your tongue’s muscle memory and improve your pronunciation skills. Put another way, tongue twisters help you overcome those thorny sounds and sound transitions that you might be struggling with. 

By the way, tongue twisters in Portuguese are called trava-línguas in case you wonder. Here’re the sounds you’ll be working on. Let’s get started.

1 – 3/R/, /r/ (guttural and tap r-sounds)
4 – 9/p/, /b/, /k/, /g/, /t/, /gr/, /tr/, /pr/ (plosives)
10 – 16/s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /ʒ/ (sibilant and hushing sounds)
17 – 19/f/, /v/ (labiodental)
20 – 21/ɲ/, /ʎ/ (palatal)
22 – 23 (diphthongs)/ew/, /ej/ (eu, ei)
24 – 25 (nasal diphthongs)/ãw̃/, /õj̃/, /ãj̃/ (ão, õe, ãe)

! The symbols enclosed in forwarding slashes are IPA symbols (IPA stands for International Phonetic Alphabet) and each of them represents one specific language sound. Learn more about the IPA symbols (and respective sounds) that apply specifically to Portuguese phonology and spelling patterns:  European Portuguese Pronunciation – Complete Guide to Portuguese Phonology and Spelling-Sound Patterns.

Get Your Pronunciation Right
1. O rato roeu a rolha da garrafa do rei da Rússia.
2. A aranha arranha a rã, a rã arranha a aranha. Nem a aranha arranha a rã, nem a rã arranha a aranha.
3. Larga a larva, lagartixa. Lagartixa, larga a larva.
4. Um tigre, dois tigres, três tigres.
5. Traga a tinta em trinta taças.
6. O Pai do Pedro prega um prego na parede do prédio.
7. O padre pouca capa tem, porque pouca capa compra.
8. Percebeste? Se não percebeste faz por perceber para eu perceber que tu percebeste, percebeste? 
9. Pinga a pia apara o prato, pia o pinto e mia o gato.
10. A vida é uma sucessiva sucessão de sucessões que se sucedem sucessivamente sem que sucesso suceda.
11. O sabiá não sabia que o sábio sabia que o sabiá não sabia assobiar.
12. Azar ou sorte existe? Existe sorte sim, sim existe azar também. Seja azar a minha sorte, azar que sempre acabe em bem.
13. O estado gastador gasta excessivamente em excesso e espera que o povo persistente o sustente.
14. A chave do chefe Chaves está no chaveiro.
15. Casa suja, chão sujo. 
16. Gente gira come gelado de gengibre à janela mesmo em tempo de geada
17. O Fábio Fifas fiador fica fulo e faz faísca quando o fio fiado que fia se finda.
18. O Vasco Vara vai à vila num Volvo vermelho e veloz.
19. O Vasco, o Filipe, a Vera e a Fátima vão no Volvo à festa da vila e ficam felizes de ver o povo na farra e cheio de vida.
20. A mulher olhou para a filha e viu uma abelha junto à sua orelha.
21. Amanhã de manhã cedinho ponho o linho aqui no cestinho
22. Eu, o Abreu e o Bartolomeu vimos o Tadeu Galileu que tudo prometeu e nada deu.
23. O Pereira da Beira come aveia à lareira junto com o bombeiro Malheiro mais o cabeleireiro da Eira.
24. Um limão, dois limões, meio limão.
25. As mães do João e do Simão vão a Tenões comprar pães e melões. 

Reading tips! Other reads you may find useful to work on your pronunciation:

Portuguese Connected Speech for Enhanced Pronunciation and Listening Comprehension
Portuguese Word Stress and Accent Marks

Perfect vs. Imperfect

Break Free from the Tyranny of the Present Tense

Portuguese Bad Words

Master Portuguese Strong Language and Swear Like a Native.

Intensive Courses

Get right on track towards fluency 

Stay tuned for upcoming online courses and other learning materials.

Where are you at? (1 Beginner–10 Fluent)