So, you want to be a Lusophone.
Portugal was one of the first nations in the world to build ships and venture out into the “new world” from old Europe. As such it made a vast impact on the shaping of global history, and a lasting influence on the people it colonized or traded with. To this day, Portuguese is spoken in pockets around the world ranging from Europe to South America to southern Africa.
Our handy tricks so you can become fluent in Portuguese fast
The two most popular locations where its spoken are undoubtedly Portugal and Brazil. The former is a past global power that today is one of Europe’s most progressive and charming countries. The latter is an emerging global influencer with one of the largest populations and economies in the world. In both, you’ll discover cultural riches and historical heritage that are rivaled by few other countries on earth-yet completely distinct from one another.
Deciding on where to study Portuguese often comes down to the decision between these two countries. This choice fortunately amounts to “somewhere good” vs. “somewhere even better”—but only you can decide which will be which. We’ve compiled the following guide to help you make that decision.
If you’re really torn between Brazil and Portugal, views like this won’t make the decision any easier… sorry to let you down.
Brazilian Portuguese vs. European Portuguese
To a casual listener, Portuguese might sound the same the world over. That’s if you don’t speak the language. But fluent—or even conversational—Portuguese speakers will easily pick up on some distinct differences between strands of the dialect in Brazil and Portugal. As such, where you decide to study Portuguese will go far to determine where you’ll have the easiest time as a Portuguese speaker in the long run.
Brazilian Portuguese
Why learn Brazilian Portuguese? Brazilian Portuguese is considered by many to be the easier strand to learn, with its open vowels and strong cadence (it’s also considered to be easier on the ears, for this reason). Brazilian Portuguese is generally more relaxed on the usage of formalities in addressing who you are talking to, and has evolved some distinct vocabulary and grammatical usages since diverging from its ancestral tongue across the Atlantic. If you learn Brazilian Portuguese, you’ll speak the most common dialect of the language.
[How to Prepare for Intensive Language Programs Abroad]
European Portuguese
Why learn European Portuguese? European Portuguese is less accentuated than its Brazilian counterpart, and to many outside listeners sounds more mumbly. It is also stricter on the usage of formalities in the language (i.e. addressing a counterpart as tu or você), which can be difficult to grasp for the second language learner. These more challenging aspects while you learn European Portuguese, however, also can make it the more valuable in the long run to the serious student. You will be studying in the country of origin, and leaving no stone unturned while at it.
Ride picturesque trams across town to meet a friend for (the best) coffee, a few pastel nata, and conversation practice.
Other factors to consider
So, where are the REAL differences between learning European Portuguese vs. Brazilian Portuguese? We lay them all out on the table…
Accents. Because there are so many more Brazilians than Portuguese in the world today, Brazilian Portuguese is the dialect which you are likely used to hearing as a non-speaker. It has a more open, accentuated sound to it, while European Portuguese flows continuously to the point of being difficult to make out.
Access to immersion. Brazil and Portugal both offer total access to immersive opportunities of many different kinds. This being said, English is more commonly known as a second language in Portugal than it is in Brazil (likewise in Europe vs. South America), so if you want to totally escape your mother tongue, then the latter is the more immersive option.
[Get Matched with 5 Portuguese Immersion Language Programs for FREE]
Safety. Portugal is an advanced economy in Western Europe, which is a very safe place to study anything in the relative sense. Brazil is a developing economy in South America, and has struggled more to manage violence and social unrest. This being said, as an international student, you will be in a safe environment and looked after in either country.
Regional travel opportunities. Which do you prefer, Europe or South America? Both continents offer an entirely unique historical and civilizational legacy to explore, as well as adventure travel opportunities of all different sorts. Europe is more efficiently interconnected and offers more concentrated itineraries. South America is more vast and exponentially cheaper to travel throughout.
Lifestyle. Similarly to travel opportunities, the lifestyle differences between Brazil and Portugal (as between Western Europe and South America) are immense. Both have beaches, bars, restaurants, churches, and the like, but offer an entirely unique aesthetic. As an expatriate living abroad to study Portuguese, you will have the opportunity to mold whatever lifestyle you please.
Celebrate your progress with Portuguese by getting in the spirit for Carnival in Brazil.
What’s the best way to learn Portuguese?
The best way to learn Portuguese fast, like the best way to learn any language, is to study in a country where its spoken natively. Supplementing your classroom lessons with the opportunity to engage Portuguese speakers every day in a fluent environment will challenge you to improve your language apprehension by leaps and bounds. Studying at a Portuguese language school in Brazil or Portugal will provide you with a complete immersive environment to focus on your language development.
Recommended Portuguese immersion programs abroad
If you want to learn Portuguese fast, these are the organizations that will help you do it!
Learn Portuguese in Brazil
1. Portuguese Immersion in Rio de Janeiro with Languages Abroad
Come for the Portuguese, stay for the beaches! Only with Languages Abroad in Rio will you combine learning Portuguese with adventures on the best beaches in South America. Their language school is located in the business center of Rio, so you’ll be right in the heart of things with easy access to the rest of the city via public transport. There will be plenty of opportunities for immersion!
2. Study Portuguese Language in Brazil, Salvador with Basica Lingua
Basica Lingua offers intensive, small-sized language courses in the charming city of Salvador. You’ll have the opportunity to learn Brazilian Portuguese by choosing from many different personalized educational options in a relaxing atmosphere with top-notch international teachers.
- Related: Read Basica Lingua Reviews
Portugal is the OG place to learn Portuguese. If that’s what you’re into.
Learn Portuguese in Portugal
3. Learn Portuguese in Lisbon, Portugal with Iberlinguas
Iberlínguas offers intensive, extensive, and private language-learning programs for would-be Lusophones at a school in the heart of Portugal’s famed capital, Lisbon. While they learn European Portuguese, students will also have the opportunity to engage in a range of extracurricular cultural immersion opportunities around the city.
- Related: Read Iberlinguas Reviews
4. Portuguese Language Course and Immersion in Porto, Portugal with Language Vacation
Language Vacation offers intensive Portuguese language-learning options of 4 or 6 lessons per day in Portugal’s second city, Porto. Students can choose from a variety of housing options while studying at a Portuguese language center in the heart of the city, exploring both on their own and through a variety of group excursions.
- Related: Read Language Vacation Reviews
4 more tips to learn Portuguese fast, regardless of location
Mastering Portuguese is your destiny
1. Listen
Even before you have a solid grasp of Portuguese, listening to it as much as you can in person, on tapes, on the internet, on TV, or by any other medium will train your ear in the right direction. Once you’re familiar with the sounds and able to discern certain words, it will be a cinch to learn Portuguese fast. Listening is always the hardest skill to learn, but if you start early you’ll be a pro in no time!
2. Read
Forcing yourself to read in a language you are learning will make you struggle with comprehension and grammar of your own accord—a sure way to improve your ability. Start with a book you already know and love (I’d recommend Harry Potter), ideally something that’s already a lower graded reading level—think YA novels. That way, you know what happens, and it’s all about learning new vocabulary.
3. Study
In your free time you should be looking at flashcards, taking lessons, learning new words, and expanding your Portuguese horizons in every way you can. Download all the apps. ALL OF THEM. Start to gamify your studying, and it’ll feel less like studying—plus, you’ll internalize more language. The best way to learn is to take lessons, but you need to be putting in the work outside of your lessons, too.
4. Speak
Perhaps the most important part of learning a language is to actually speak it, as much as you can. It’s how you build confidence, make neural connections, and start to feel more natural speaking and using the language. Take lessons, get a language exchange partner, go to conversation groups, talk to your TV if you have to! Whatever you need to do to get yourself talking, do it. It’s so important to use language, otherwise you lose it!
Where will YOU learn Portuguese?
No matter where you choose study, you have Christ the Redeemer’s blessing. Go Forth. Learn Portuguese fast!
Now that you know a little bit about the differences between Brazilian and European Portuguese, it’s up to you to take the next step. Read up on both countries, look up some potential locations and programs, and research all your options carefully.
Once you cross that line between motivation and action, you’ll be full steam ahead on your way to being a Lusophone in no time. Boa Sorte!
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