Sorry, this page is no longer available
Sorry, this page is no longer available
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Kieran Ball

The whole of the Portuguese language can be broken down into several different structures. If you take any sentence from any Portuguese book or any utterance, you will see that it fits into one of these structures.

I remember one weekend, I was writing some lessons for the week ahead, when I suddenly realised this. I noticed that there are a certain number of structures in Portuguese, and that every sentence follows one of these structures. I spent the rest of the weekend working out all the structures, and I wrote them all down.

Read more

The whole of the Portuguese language can be broken down into several different structures. If you take any sentence from any Portuguese book or any utterance, you will see that it fits into one of these structures.

I remember one weekend, I was writing some lessons for the week ahead, when I suddenly realised this. I noticed that there are a certain number of structures in Portuguese, and that every sentence follows one of these structures. I spent the rest of the weekend working out all the structures, and I wrote them all down.

Every structure you learn gives you the ability to say a huge amount. Some structures are used more than others, but all the structures together make up the whole Portuguese language. Once you’ve learnt how a structure works, all you have to do is insert different words into the slots and you have a sentence.

This course introduces you to structure 1. I’ve limited each course to one structure so as not to overburden you. By looking at just one structure at a time, you can really get to grips with it and understand its usage. It will help to clarify the Portuguese language and make it more like a reflex rather than something you have to think about as is it were a maths equation.

Each structure can also help to propel you to fluency; if you can manipulate the structures at high speed, you can start to say anything you want without having to thing about how to say it.

This course contains plenty of practice opportunities for you to revise what you’ve learnt and it also contains some hints and tips on how best to learn and memorise the structures and the vocabulary that goes with them. You’ll learn how to make questions out of structure 1, how to make statements and how to turn positive statements negative.

The Building Structures in Portuguese series is set out using the same learning techniques as the 3 Minute Portuguese courses. You can work through the course in three minute chunks, enabling anybody to learn Portuguese, no matter how little time you have.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn about the first structure in the portuguese language.
  • Get to grips with how easy it is to manipulate this structure and say what you want with it.
  • Get plenty of opportunity to practise using this structure.
  • Learn how to form questions and statements in structure 1.
  • Learn all the question words in portuguese and some infinitives.
  • Complete lessons in 3 minute chunks – perfect for the busy learner.
  • Build your own sentences without memorisation.
  • Speak from the very first lesson.

Syllabus

Introduction
Lesson 1
Lesson 1a
Lesson 1b
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Breaks down the Portuguese language into manageable structures, which is helpful for learners who prefer a systematic approach
Focuses on a single structure at a time, allowing learners to master it before moving on to more complex concepts
Presents lessons in short, three-minute chunks, making it easier to fit language learning into a busy schedule
Provides practice opportunities to reinforce learning and memorize structures and vocabulary, which is essential for language acquisition
Teaches how to form questions, statements, and negative sentences, which are fundamental skills for basic communication
Requires learners to purchase additional courses in the series to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Portuguese language

Save this course

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

Reviews summary

Foundation in portuguese structures

According to learners, this course offers a highly structured and effective approach to learning Portuguese, particularly focusing on Structure 1. Many find it excellent for absolute beginners, praising how it simplifies complex grammar by breaking it down into manageable structures. The 3-minute lesson format is frequently highlighted as a major benefit, making learning accessible even for busy schedules. Students appreciate the practice opportunities that help solidify understanding and enable them to build their own sentences quickly. While the course provides a solid foundational understanding of the structure, some reviews suggest it is too basic for those with prior knowledge or that additional vocabulary and speaking practice are needed to achieve fluency.
Helps solidify understanding and application.
"The practice exercises reinforce the structure well."
"Plenty of opportunities to use the structure after learning it."
"Doing the practice helped me feel more confident using structure 1."
Accessible learning in short chunks.
"...easy to digest in the 3-minute lessons."
"The 3-minute format is good for busy days, I can fit a lesson in anytime."
"Love that the lessons are short and focused, makes it easy to stay consistent."
Ideal starting point for new learners.
"Great for absolute beginners. The pace is just right, and the practice exercises reinforce the structure well."
"If you are just starting out, this is a fantastic way to get a grip on how Portuguese sentences work."
"Perfect introduction to the language's basic building blocks."
Simplifies Portuguese grammar effectively.
"Loved the structured approach! Breaking down the language into simple structures makes so much sense..."
"Finally, a method that clicks for me! I feel like I can actually build sentences now without just memorizing phrases."
"Learning structure by structure feels much more manageable than traditional grammar lessons."
Too basic for advanced learners.
"Too basic. If you already know some Portuguese, this structure approach might be overly simplistic and repetitive."
"Good overview, but not enough challenge if you're past the absolute beginner stage."
"Felt like a lot of review for me personally, as I had some prior background."
Requires external resources for fluency.
"The structure explanation is clear, but I wish there were more examples or opportunities to speak. It's good for understanding the mechanics, but you'll need other resources for fluency."
"While the structure is explained, I found it hard to apply without more vocabulary beyond the few words provided."
"This course is a great start, but definitely plan to supplement it with vocabulary and speaking practice 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 Building Structures in Portuguese - Structure 1 with these activities:
Review Basic Portuguese Grammar
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental Portuguese grammar concepts before diving into specific sentence structures. This will make it easier to grasp the nuances of Structure 1.
Browse courses on Portuguese Grammar
Show steps
  • Review verb conjugations and basic sentence construction.
  • Practice with online quizzes and exercises.
Explore 'Portuguese: An Essential Grammar'
Deepen your understanding of Portuguese grammar with a concise and accessible grammar guide. This book will provide a broader context for the specific structure taught in the course.
Show steps
  • Read the sections on sentence structure and verb tenses.
  • Take notes on key concepts and examples.
Read 'Modern Brazilian Portuguese Grammar: A Practical Guide'
Supplement your learning with a comprehensive grammar guide. This book will provide a broader context for the specific structure taught in the course.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters related to basic sentence structure and verb conjugation.
  • Work through the exercises to test your understanding.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Sentence Building Practice
Practice constructing sentences using Structure 1 to solidify your understanding. Repetition will help you internalize the structure and use it more fluently.
Show steps
  • Create flashcards with vocabulary words from the course.
  • Use the flashcards to build sentences using Structure 1.
  • Write down the sentences and check them for accuracy.
Practice with a Language Partner
Engage in conversation with a language partner to practice using Structure 1 in real-time. This will help you improve your fluency and identify areas where you need more practice.
Show steps
  • Find a language partner online or in person.
  • Prepare a list of questions and topics to discuss using Structure 1.
  • Practice speaking and listening with your partner.
Create a Short Story Using Structure 1
Write a short story using only Structure 1 to reinforce your understanding and creativity. This will force you to think within the constraints of the structure and find innovative ways to express yourself.
Show steps
  • Brainstorm a simple plot for your story.
  • Write the story using only Structure 1.
  • Review and revise your story for clarity and accuracy.
Translate English Sentences into Portuguese (Structure 1)
Translate English sentences into Portuguese using Structure 1 to test your comprehension and application of the structure. This will help you identify any gaps in your knowledge and improve your translation skills.
Show steps
  • Find a list of simple English sentences.
  • Translate each sentence into Portuguese using Structure 1.
  • Check your translations for accuracy using online resources or a language partner.

Career center

Learners who complete Building Structures in Portuguese - Structure 1 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Language Teacher
A language teacher educates students on the fundamentals and nuances of a particular language. This course provides deep insight into the structural elements of Portuguese, a key requirement to effectively teaching it to others. The course systematically breaks down the first Portuguese structure, enabling you to teach how to build sentences and form questions. The course's focus on manipulation of language and building sentences provides practical examples that a language teacher can use in their pedagogy.
Translator
A translator converts written text from one language to another, ensuring accuracy and cultural nuance. This course, focusing on the fundamental structures of Portuguese, provides a solid understanding of how to construct grammatically correct and meaningful sentences. The ability to understand and manipulate structures within Portuguese, as taught in this course, is essential for accurately conveying ideas and meaning within the target language, whether Portuguese or eventually to English, or another language. The course's emphasis on sentence construction, question formation, and practical application translates directly to a translator's day to day challenges.
Interpreter
An interpreter converts spoken language from one language to another in real-time. The interpreter must have a strong grasp of both languages' structure to convey messages accurately. This course emphasizes the building blocks of the Portuguese language, which is ideal for someone looking to gain fluency. A strong understanding of the fundamental structures of Portuguese allows the interpreter to focus on the content and context of a conversation. Learning to manipulate structures at high speed, as taught in this course, is critical to real time translation.
Language Consultant
A language consultant provides expertise on language-related matters, often in a business or academic setting. This course helps develop an understanding of the basic structures of Portuguese, a foundational skill for language consulting. The course provides a structured approach to understanding how the Portuguese language is built, enabling you to explain and apply linguistic principles. The course's emphasis on constructing sentences and asking questions may be useful in your role as a language consultant.
Localization Specialist
A localization specialist adapts content for a specific market by taking cultural and linguistic factors into account. This course, which methodically addresses the fundamental structures of Portuguese, helps to build a strong foundation that is useful in understanding the nuances of the language. Learning how sentences are formed and how questions are asked is crucial for adapting content to the specific expectations of the target market. The course's structure focusing on building sentences and using question words helps ensure the local version sounds natural.
Foreign Language Journalist
A foreign language journalist reports on news and events in another language. This job demands a high degree of fluency and understanding of the target language. This course is useful by providing a firm grasp of Portuguese sentence construction, which is critical for this job. This course teaches a method to help you grasp language structures quickly, allowing you to focus on the nuances of news reporting, rather than the mechanics of language. The course helps you build a practical foundation in the language.
Foreign Correspondent
A foreign correspondent reports on news and events from a particular country, requiring strong language skills. This course may be useful for learning the fundamentals of Portuguese sentence structure. Foreign correspondents must often ask questions and provide information. The course helps build these skills, particularly in how to manipulate language structures quickly. The focus on practical application of basic structures may be useful to a foreign correspondent in the field.
Tour Guide
A tour guide leads groups of people on tours. If the tour is in a place where Portuguese is spoken, then Portuguese language skills are essential. This course may help you build a foundation in the language. This course works to build your ability to construct sentences and ask questions, skills that a tour guide uses regularly. The course’s focus on speaking rather than memorizing may help prepare you for spontaneous conversations.
Bilingual Customer Service Representative
A bilingual customer service representative provides support to clients in more than one language. This course helps to build a foundation in Portuguese by covering the first structure of the language. The ability to form questions and responses as taught in the course allows a representative to communicate effectively with customers who speak Portuguese. The focus on building practical language skills means that you can use the course's lessons almost immediately in customer interactions.
Diplomat
A diplomat works to represent their country's interests in foreign affairs. This career often requires that a diplomat possess advanced language and communication skills. While this course introduces the first structure of Portuguese, it may be a starting point to build a basic competency in the language. The focus on understanding sentence structure and forming questions can help build a foundation for diplomatic interactions. The course can provide practical skills in Portuguese that would be useful to a diplomat.
Foreign Service Officer
A foreign service officer works in embassies and consulates representing their country's interests abroad. Often they must be able to communicate in a foreign language. This course may be a starting point for developing Portuguese language skills. This course, which emphasizes manipulating sentence structure and forming questions can help an officer in their work. The course’s focus on building practical skills may be useful for foreign service officers working abroad.
International Aid Worker
An international aid worker works in a foreign country to provide assistance and support. Often these workers must be able to clearly communicate to those that they are helping. This course emphasizing the basic building blocks of the Portuguese language provides a foundation for communication. This course’s focus on manipulating structures and forming questions can help an aid worker ask for and give information in Portuguese. The course can help build practical communication skills, a basic resource that international aid workers need in the field.
Immigration Officer
An immigration officer interviews and processes individuals entering a country, often requiring foreign language skills. This course offers a starting point for developing Portuguese comprehension and communication skills. The focus on manipulating sentence structures and asking questions, as taught in this course, can be useful for understanding individuals seeking entry into the country. The ability to form questions and grasp the nuances of language can assist immigration officers in completing their tasks.
Technical Writer
A technical writer creates documentation to convey complex information in an easy to understand manner. This course introduces the first structure of Portuguese and helps develop a better understanding of how the language is put together. Learning to manipulate the structure to form sentences or ask questions can help clarify your thinking, which may be valuable when writing complex information. A grasp of the fundamentals of language structure can help to improve clarity in any writing task.
Content Creator
A content creator develops engaging and informative content across various digital platforms. This course focusing on the fundamental structure of Portuguese may be helpful for content creators who wish to produce content for Portuguese speaking audiences. The course’s emphasis on sentence construction and question formation provide a starting point to begin to engage with content in Portuguese. The course's focus on practical application may be a useful starting point for content creation.

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 Building Structures in Portuguese - Structure 1.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Brazilian Portuguese grammar, which is closely related to the Portuguese taught in this course. It offers detailed explanations and examples that can help you understand the underlying principles of sentence structure. While not strictly necessary, it serves as a valuable reference for those seeking a deeper understanding of the language. This book is commonly used as a textbook in university-level Portuguese courses.
This grammar book offers a concise and accessible overview of Portuguese grammar. It's particularly useful for understanding the fundamental rules and patterns that govern sentence construction. While the course focuses on a specific structure, this book provides a broader context and helps you see how that structure fits into the larger grammatical framework. It is best used as additional reading to supplement the course materials.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser