How to start learning Portuguese?

Here are some of the steps to start learning Portuguese are:

• Decide which Portuguese variant you want to study. There are two main variants of Portuguese: European (spoken mainly in Portugal) and Brazilian (spoken mainly in Brazil). They have some differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and spelling, but they are mutually intelligible to a large extent1 2. You should choose the variant that suits your interests, goals, and preferences. You can also learn both variants or switch between them later if you want1 2.

• Use music and other native resources to practice pronunciation. Portuguese is a phonetic language, which means that it is pronounced as it is written. However, it also has some sounds that may be unfamiliar or challenging for English speakers, such as nasal vowels, rolled r’s, and open and closed vowels1 2. To improve your pronunciation, you should listen to native speakers as much as possible and try to imitate them. You can use music, podcasts, videos, movies, or radio stations to expose yourself to authentic Portuguese speech1 23. You can also use apps like Duolingo or Pimsleur that let you train your pronunciation with feedback 4.

• Learn the phrases that serve you best. To start speaking Portuguese as soon as possible, you should focus on learning the most useful and common phrases that you can use in everyday situations. These include greetings, introductions, numbers, dates, times, question words, directions, shopping, ordering food, and expressing likes and dislikes1 2 3. You can use flashcards, labels, or mnemonics to memorize these phrases more easily 4. You can also use apps like Memrise or Anki that use spaced repetition to help you retain what you learn 4.

• Start talking and writing as early as possible. To learn Portuguese effectively, you need to practice all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. You should not wait until you feel confident or fluent to start using the language actively. You should try to speak and write Portuguese as much as possible from day one1 2 3. You can use apps like HelloTalk or Tandem to chat with native speakers or other learners online 4. You can also use apps like Busuu or Babbel that provide interactive dialogues and exercises to practice your speaking and writing skills 4.

• Take Portuguese lessons online to boost your grammar and vocabulary. To progress in your Portuguese learning journey, you need to expand your grammar and vocabulary knowledge. You need to learn the rules and patterns of the language and how to apply them correctly in different contexts. You also need to learn new words and expressions that enrich your communication1 2 3. You can take online Portuguese lessons with a qualified tutor who can guide you through the learning process and tailor the lessons to your needs and goals4. You can also use apps like LingQ or Lingodeer that teach you grammar and vocabulary through engaging stories and activities 4.