September 24th, 2021

How to Learn Portuguese: The Best Resources to Learn Portuguese

Portuguese is a wonderful language that opens up so much of the world to you! If you want to know how to learn Portuguese, here’s my recommendations for the best resources to learn Portuguese.

Want to know how to learn Portuguese? Here's my recommendations for the best resources to learn Portuguese.

Page Contents

Step 1. Pick a Dialect.

So…I was in two minds as to whether to start here. And to be honest, picking a Portuguese dialect isn’t something I really did when I learnt Portuguese.

I had tutors speaking both European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese. And I turned out ok. So it’s really not the end of the world if you don’t “pick” a dialect.

Oh, and remember – there’s more places than Portugal and Brazil that speak Portuguese too, so there’ll always be slight differences when you speak and listen to people from different places beyond what you choose to learn. That’s ok! Dialects are a thing of beauty.

But, there are a few occassions when it’ll be a huge advantage to pick a focus dialect:

1 – First time learning another language.

If you’re new to the whole language learning thing (beyond perhaps some cobweb-covered school basics) then you’ll probably want to keep things as simple as possible and pick a dialect.

2 – Live/work/travel/in love with one place over the other.

And, of course, if you have a bit of a connection to one place over another, that dialect makes sense to be your focus.

If either of those don’t describe you, remember, you can totally choose your own focus or blend of dialect and resource exposure. There’s no wrong answer here, just what’s right for you. Be your own language boss.

Step 2. Pick Your Core Resources.

Portuguese is a commonly taught language on most apps, in most course series, and across lots of websites you would normally think of for language learning.

Think Duolingo, Memrise*, Drops*, Clozemaster*, Assimil, Colloquial, Teach Yourself, Pimsleur.

However, whichever language you’re learning, it’s always worth investigating new language-specific options too. You’ve got some good choice for Portuguese.

I’ve put Portugal and Brazil flags in bracklets by the header of each to help you decide if something’s for you or not.

Mia Esmeriz (🇵🇹)

I’ve teamed up with Mia a couple of times on Instagram Live now to chat all things Portuguese. It’s always a joy!

If you’re after a whole range of courses to get you started with European Portuguese that definitely check Mia’s courses* out.

But if you’re a total beginner, I recommend you sign up for her free Kickstart Your Portuguese course first right here (also my affiliate link but a free course for you!)

Practice Portuguese (🇵🇹)

Practice Portuguese is such a great bank of resources for Portuguese learners. Always highly recommended and even featured on TAP Portugal Airlines too!

Easy Portuguese (🇵🇹 + 🇧🇷)

You’re probably familiar with Easy Languages on YouTube. You know, the videos filmed on the streets of cities the world over with really great listening practice?

Well, good news! They have playlists for European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese too.

Plus for Brazilian, there’s an extra playlist with some basic phrases too.

Speaking Brazilian (🇧🇷)

Courses, free resources, and the super fun YouTube Club! Virginia at Speaking Brazilian has lots to get you started if you’re learning Brazilian Portuguese.

Semantica (🇧🇷)

Semantica uses stories to teach through their novela style lessons. Lots of fun with immersive learning.

More Resources?

After more resources? Be sure to sign up for my email list to get access to my Ultimate List of Language Learning Resources, including Portuguese.

Step 3. Find Your Why & Set Your Goals.

There’ll be a reason you started getting curious about learning Portuguese, right? Now’s your time to revisit that.

Does it still fit? Is there something else that motivates you as well now (or instead)?

Your reason for learning Portuguese is what will shape your goals and your whole approach.

And yes, don’t worry if your reason is “I…just wanna learn Portuguese”. If that ‘want’ is enough to get you started, you can still start. Your reason doesn’t need to be a perfectly crafted “expected” motivation. Everything is valid if it lights you up inside.

When your reason is there, it’s time to set some goals. This can be a lot of fun!

Read more here and check out the Solo Language Learner Planner if you’re after some scaffolding to get you started.

Step 4. Pick Your Supporting Resources.

Sure, you need something to guide you through the more structured “teaching” of Portuguese, but you also need some enjoyable ways to practice what you learn and bring Portuguese into your daily life.

I’m thinking podcasts, music, casual apps, TV and film. That sort of thing.

And of course, any of these suggestions can be taken from casual supporting resource to full-on active tool with just one idea. (I’ve got 100 of them in 100 Creative Ideas for you to try!)

Podcasts and Audio

Portugueses no Mundo (🇵🇹) – 20 minute or so episodes speaking with Portuguese people living around the world.

Portuguese Lab (🇵🇹) – a mix of short episodes – from stories to verb conjugations. Plus there’s a great back catalogue to explore.

Fala Gringo (🇧🇷) – Nice speed for beginner to intermediate learners. Really interesting range of topics discussed too.

SBS News – Australian broadcaster so you’ll learn lots of Australia-related news! Handy for casual listening.

Learn Portuguese – I’ve put together this playlist packed with all the Portuguese lessons on Spotify that I could find. Enjoy!

RadioGarden – Scroll the map and tune in to a radio station live from anywhere in the Portuguese speaking world.

Music

Portuguese Favourites – Some of my favourite Portuguese songs to send you down rabbit holes and discover more that you love. I’ve written about how to use Spotify for language learning (including finding new music) here.

Portuguese Disney – I mean…can you go wrong with Disney songs in other languages? No. The answer is no.

Casual Apps

You know the casual apps, right? I won’t go into detail but I’ll mention them again just in case…

Duolingo, Memrise, Clozemaster, Drops. They’ll fill a few minutes here and there for you.

TV and Film

Bom Português – an ideal check in from time to time. Short videos from a news segment asking people on the street which is the correct grammar or spelling of Portuguese words. Also acts as a nice reminder that even natives aren’t the “100% right 100% of the time” we make ourselves believe.

Disney+ – There’s lots of things available with Portuguese (sometimes both European and Brazilian) audio and/or subtitles on Disney+. Plenty of ways to get started using it here.

Girls From Ipanema – A Netflix original set in 1950s Rio.

3% – Another Netflix series but very different to the last suggestion!

Step 5. Set a Check In Date.

Woo! You’ve made Portuguese plans, you’re excited but…what happens if it doesn’t happen?

Our final step is to set a check in date so you can review where you’re at and adjust your goals going forward.

This will help you to actually get stuff done and learn Portuguese like you initally set out to do.

We do this every month in Language Life. It’s such a great chance to take a moment to reflect before we keep powering forward.

So before we go today, get that check in date on the calendar and let’s go!

Start learning Portuguese today!

Like I mentioned above, I’m a huge fan of Mia Esmeriz’s work. If you’re after a little challenge to get you going with Portuguese, her Kickstart Your Portuguese 7 Day Challenge is perfect.