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Esther Clifford

Would you like to begin learning European Portuguese but don’t know where to start?

Do you feel overwhelmed by in-depth courses that are immediately technical, that focus on grammar, and on which words are masculine/feminine, permanent/temporary??.

Are you a busy person with work, family and other obligations who struggles to find the time and brain space to commit to complex structured language learning?

This course has been designed with you in mind.

Learn Essential European Portuguese using this simple, flexible and effective method. Learn at your own pace, in your own time.

Read more

Would you like to begin learning European Portuguese but don’t know where to start?

Do you feel overwhelmed by in-depth courses that are immediately technical, that focus on grammar, and on which words are masculine/feminine, permanent/temporary??.

Are you a busy person with work, family and other obligations who struggles to find the time and brain space to commit to complex structured language learning?

This course has been designed with you in mind.

Learn Essential European Portuguese using this simple, flexible and effective method. Learn at your own pace, in your own time.

In this course you will learn the essential words and phrases you realistically need to begin your language journey.

Avoid the stress, confusion and awkward situations by gaining the information, skills and confidence to understand and be understood as you begin communicating in Portuguese.

The course is taught by a native English speaker, but with great support from native Portuguese speakers for an authentic and realistic experience.

Are you intrigued? Ready to give it a try?

  • you prefer a more traditional linguistic approach to learning language with focus on grammar and rules.

  • Enroll now

    What's inside

    Learning objective

    The essential words and phrases to kick start your language learning journey, the fundamentals to get you communicating straight away!

    Syllabus

    Introduction

    Welcome to Essential Portuguese, it's great to have you here! Click on the video below for an introduction to the course and instructions on how to navigate the curriculum. Enjoy!

    Read more

    Let's discover the basic greetings...

    Now you've said hello, let's start a conversation...

    This section helps you to be polite and friendly with essential words and phrases!

    Ready to learn more? "Yes please!"... No problem!...

    In this section we introduce the vital phrases such as "I don't understand" and "I speak a little"...

    "Let me in!"... "Get me out of here...!" - Let's look at some common signs...

    More handy signs to recognise...

    ...And a few more signs you'll need to know...

    Let's look at some more phrases to use when ordering and paying..

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner mmmmm!

    Here come the starters...

    Part three looks tasty...

    Part four looks a bit fishy....

    "Just a little on the side". Here come the side dishes...

    Seasonings and dessert...

    Thirsty anyone?...

    Keeping it cool: more cold drinks coming up...

    What would you say to a nice cup of tea?....

    More hot drinks coming through...

    Here's the alcohol...

    A glass..or a bottle.?? hmmmm!

    Now we know their names, let's try ordering some drinks!

    What questions would you ask, or be asked in a store?

    Some more words and phrases to help you while shopping...

    Some words and phrases connected with payments...

    Where is the.....?

    More places to discover and how to ask for directions..

    Let's discover some directional words..

    Today? Tomorrow? Yesterday?...

    Morning, noon and night...

    What day is it?...

    Traffic lights

    Read about what's good
    what should give you pause
    and possible dealbreakers
    Focuses on essential words and phrases, which provides a practical foundation for immediate communication in European Portuguese
    Covers practical scenarios like ordering food and drinks, shopping, and asking for directions, which are useful for navigating daily life
    Designed to be simple, flexible, and effective, which allows learners to progress at their own pace and on their own time
    Avoids in-depth grammar and linguistic rules, which may appeal to learners who find traditional methods overwhelming
    Taught by a native English speaker with support from native Portuguese speakers, which may help learners grasp pronunciation and cultural nuances
    Focuses on the most essential vocabulary and phrases, which may not suit learners seeking comprehensive language proficiency

    Save this course

    Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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    Reviews summary

    Practical european portuguese for beginners

    According to students, this course offers a great starting point for learning Essential European Portuguese, ideal for absolute beginners or travelers. They find the focus on practical, immediately usable phrases for common situations like cafes and shopping very beneficial. Described as easy to follow and not overwhelming, it suits busy learners. While it builds a solid foundation, reviewers frequently mention it lacks in-depth grammar and is not enough for fluency. It's seen as a good introduction but requires supplemental study for comprehensive language skills. It meets its goal of teaching essentials without complex grammar, managing expectations is key.
    Easy to follow and not overwhelming.
    "The lessons are short and easy to digest, perfect for my busy schedule."
    "I could learn at my own pace without feeling rushed."
    "Didn't feel overwhelmed like I have with other language courses."
    Focuses on common travel situations.
    "The sections on cafes, shopping, and directions were incredibly helpful for my trip."
    "Gave me confidence to handle basic interactions while traveling in Portugal."
    "Perfect for learning conversational basics needed on vacation."
    Perfect starting point for novices.
    "As a complete beginner, this course was exactly what I needed to start."
    "I had zero Portuguese experience, and this felt very manageable and accessible."
    "Excellent course for absolute beginners wanting practical phrases."
    "Provided a really gentle and encouraging introduction to the language."
    Not enough for conversational fluency.
    "This is just the beginning; you'll need more resources to become fluent."
    "A great intro, but not a comprehensive language course."
    "Good foundation, but I need other courses/apps to build real conversational skill."
    Does not cover in-depth grammar rules.
    "Don't expect to learn grammar conjugation or verb tenses."
    "It focuses heavily on phrases, not explaining the 'why' behind the words."
    "If you prefer a grammar-focused approach, this isn't it."
    "Useful for speaking phrases, but I had to look up grammar elsewhere."

    Activities

    Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Essential European Portuguese with these activities:
    Review Basic Greetings and Phrases
    Reinforce your understanding of basic Portuguese greetings and polite phrases before starting the course. This will make the initial lessons easier to grasp and build your confidence.
    Browse courses on Greetings
    Show steps
    • Review common Portuguese greetings and their pronunciations.
    • Practice saying the greetings aloud.
    • Write down the greetings and their English translations.
    Read 'Teach Yourself Beginner's Portuguese'
    Build a solid foundation in Portuguese grammar and vocabulary with a comprehensive beginner's textbook. This will provide a structured learning experience to complement the course.
    Show steps
    • Read one chapter per week.
    • Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
    • Review the grammar rules and vocabulary lists.
    Follow PortuguesePod101 Lessons
    Supplement your learning with structured lessons from PortuguesePod101. This will provide additional audio and visual resources to enhance your understanding.
    Show steps
    • Sign up for a free account on PortuguesePod101.
    • Choose lessons that align with the course topics.
    • Listen to the audio lessons and complete the exercises.
    Four other activities
    Expand to see all activities and additional details
    Show all seven activities
    Read 'Short Stories in European Portuguese for Beginners'
    Enhance your vocabulary and reading comprehension with engaging short stories. This will complement the course material and provide practical context for the language.
    Show steps
    • Read one short story per week.
    • Look up unfamiliar words and phrases.
    • Summarize each story in your own words.
    Practice Ordering Food and Drinks
    Reinforce your ability to order food and drinks in Portuguese through repetitive practice. This will improve your fluency and confidence in real-life situations.
    Show steps
    • Use flashcards to memorize food and drink vocabulary.
    • Role-play ordering scenarios with a friend or language partner.
    • Record yourself ordering and listen back for areas to improve.
    Create a Portuguese Restaurant Menu
    Solidify your knowledge of food and drink vocabulary by creating a restaurant menu in Portuguese. This will reinforce the lessons on ordering food and drinks.
    Show steps
    • Research common Portuguese dishes and drinks.
    • Write descriptions for each item in Portuguese.
    • Design the menu layout.
    • Share your menu with classmates for feedback.
    Create a Travel Itinerary in Portuguese
    Apply your knowledge of directions, time, and essential phrases by creating a travel itinerary in Portuguese. This will prepare you for real-world travel situations.
    Show steps
    • Choose a destination in Portugal.
    • Plan your daily activities and transportation.
    • Write descriptions of each activity in Portuguese.
    • Include directions and time estimates.

    Career center

    Learners who complete Essential European Portuguese will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
    Au Pair
    Au pairs who live with families in Portugal or other Portuguese-speaking countries can thrive by knowing Essential European Portuguese, as it enables them to communicate effectively with their host family and integrate into the local community. The ability to understand and speak Portuguese may allow them to provide better childcare, participate in family activities, and build meaningful relationships. This course may help an au pair learn essential phrases for meal times, playtime, and daily routines, creating a more harmonious and enriching experience for both the au pair and the host family. This course will help you improve your communication skills.
    Restaurant Server
    Restaurant servers often encounter customers from diverse backgrounds, and knowing Essential European Portuguese can significantly improve communication and service, especially in areas with a Portuguese-speaking community. Being able to understand orders, answer questions about the menu, and provide a welcoming experience in Portuguese may improve customer satisfaction and tips. The course is helpful to restaurant servers as it covers essential phrases for ordering food and drinks, understanding menu items, and handling basic requests, which are all common scenarios in a restaurant setting. A restaurant server who wants to work in the service industry may find this course useful.
    Volunteer
    Volunteers often work with diverse communities, and knowing Essential European Portuguese may be a valuable asset when assisting Portuguese-speaking individuals or organizations. The ability to communicate effectively, show empathy, and provide support in Portuguese can make a significant difference in the lives of those they serve. The course may help a volunteer learn essential phrases for offering assistance, providing directions, and understanding basic needs, creating a more welcoming and inclusive environment. Volunteers who want to make a difference in their community will find this course useful.
    Hotel Receptionist
    Hotel receptionists are often the first point of contact for guests, and speaking Essential European Portuguese may make a significant difference in providing a positive and welcoming experience for Portuguese-speaking visitors. The ability to greet guests, answer questions about hotel amenities, and provide directions in Portuguese can enhance guest satisfaction and loyalty. This course may help a hotel receptionist learn essential phrases for checking guests in and out, providing information about local attractions, and addressing common requests, creating a more comfortable and personalized experience for Portuguese-speaking guests. This course can help improve communications and provide excellent hospitality.
    Customer Service Representative
    Customer service representatives frequently interact with a diverse clientele, and proficiency in European Portuguese can be a significant asset, especially in regions with a substantial Portuguese-speaking population. Understanding basic greetings, polite phrases, and the ability to ask and understand simple questions can lead to improved customer satisfaction. The course content, which focuses on essential words and phrases for everyday situations such as shopping, dining, and asking for directions, may allow a customer service representative to assist Portuguese-speaking customers more effectively and empathetically. This course can help improve communications, and foster stronger customer relationships.
    Retail Salesperson
    Retail salespeople who interact with a diverse clientele can greatly benefit from knowing Essential European Portuguese, particularly in areas with a sizable Portuguese-speaking population. Being able to greet customers, offer assistance, and answer questions about products in Portuguese can improve customer satisfaction and sales. This course may help a retail salesperson learn essential phrases for helping customers find items, processing payments, and providing information about promotions, creating a more welcoming and inclusive shopping environment. This course may increase your confidence in assisting a wide range of customers.
    Social Worker
    Social workers who serve diverse populations can greatly benefit from knowing Essential European Portuguese, particularly when working with Portuguese-speaking families or individuals. The ability to communicate effectively, build trust, and provide culturally sensitive support in Portuguese can improve outcomes and strengthen relationships. The course may help a social worker learn essential phrases for conducting interviews, providing counseling, and connecting clients with resources, creating a more supportive and empowering environment. Social workers who are committed to serving diverse communities may find this course useful.
    Librarian
    Librarians who serve diverse communities can greatly benefit from knowing Essential European Portuguese, particularly when assisting Portuguese-speaking patrons with their information needs. The ability to communicate effectively, offer assistance, and provide resources in Portuguese can enhance library services and promote literacy. This course may help a librarian learn essential phrases for helping patrons find books, use library computers, and access online resources, creating a more welcoming and inclusive library environment. This course may be useful for librarians who are committed to equitable access to information.
    Flight Attendant
    Flight attendants interact with passengers from around the world, and knowing Essential European Portuguese may greatly enhance their ability to provide excellent service on flights to and from Portugal or other Portuguese-speaking regions. The ability to greet passengers, provide basic instructions, and respond to common requests in Portuguese can create a more comfortable and welcoming experience for travelers. This course may help a flight attendant learn essential phrases for offering food and beverages, giving directions, and addressing basic needs, which would prove invaluable during in-flight interactions. This course can increase a flight attendant's confidence in handling diverse passenger needs.
    Tour Guide
    Tour guides often need to interact with people from various backgrounds, and knowing some essential European Portuguese can greatly enhance their ability to provide informative and engaging tours. A tour guide who speaks Portuguese can offer personalized experiences to Portuguese-speaking tourists, making their visit more enjoyable and memorable. This course may help a tour guide learn basic greetings, polite phrases, and essential vocabulary related to directions, food, and shopping, which are all common scenarios encountered while leading tours. The material on ordering food, asking for directions, and understanding signs in Portuguese will prove especially helpful.
    Call Center Agent
    Call center agents who handle inquiries from a global customer base can find Essential European Portuguese especially valuable, particularly when serving customers in Portugal or other Portuguese-speaking regions. The ability to communicate effectively in Portuguese, understand customer issues, and provide helpful solutions may improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. This course may help a call center agent learn essential phrases for greeting customers, asking clarifying questions, and offering assistance, creating a more positive and efficient customer service experience. This course can help improve communications and problem-solving skills.
    Teacher Assistant
    Teacher assistants who work in diverse classrooms can find that knowing Essential European Portuguese may be a valuable asset, particularly when supporting Portuguese-speaking students or their families. The ability to communicate effectively, provide encouragement, and assist with basic tasks in Portuguese may improve student engagement and academic outcomes. The course may help a teacher assistant learn essential phrases for giving instructions, providing praise, and addressing common questions, creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. Teacher assistants who care about equitable education may find this course useful.
    Immigration Officer
    Immigration officers interact with people from various backgrounds, and knowing some Essential European Portuguese can greatly enhance their ability to process applications and administer immigration law. An immigration officer who speaks Portuguese can communicate with Portuguese-speaking individuals, gather important information, and ensure a fair and efficient process. This course may help an immigration officer learn basic greetings, polite phrases, and essential vocabulary related to identity, travel, and residence, which are all common scenarios encountered while handling immigration cases. The material on understanding signs and notices in Portuguese will prove especially helpful.
    Translator
    A translator converts written material from one language into another and may find a course in Essential European Portuguese helpful as a starting point. While a professional translator typically requires advanced fluency, this course can help build a foundation in the language, especially with common phrases and cultural nuances. This course introduces essential vocabulary and phrases, which can be useful for translators to understand the basics of the language and culture they are working with. This course may be useful for individuals who are beginning their journey to learn Portuguese and wish to explore a career in translation.
    Researcher
    Researchers conducting studies in Portugal or with Portuguese-speaking communities can significantly benefit from knowing Essential European Portuguese, as it may allow them to gather more accurate data, build rapport with participants, and gain deeper insights into cultural contexts. The ability to understand and speak Portuguese can improve the quality and validity of research findings. This course may help a researcher learn essential phrases for conducting interviews, administering surveys, and observing social interactions, creating a more authentic and meaningful research experience. Researchers who value accurate and ethical research may find this course useful.

    Reading list

    We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Essential European Portuguese.
    Offers engaging short stories designed for beginner Portuguese learners. It helps improve reading comprehension and vocabulary in a fun and accessible way. It is more valuable as additional reading than a primary reference.

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