Everyone has a tip – or several – that they swear by when it comes to learning Portuguese. Some of these are quite popular and frequently repeated. But are they actually good advice? That’s exactly what we’ll analyze in this article. Some of these will certainly surprise you.
Learn all the grammar before you start speaking
It’s true that you need to understand grammar to speak correctly. However, grammar is just one of many components of language learning, alongside oral and written comprehension, vocabulary, pronunciation, and communication skills. So, is it really worth mastering all the grammar before speaking?
Answer: No.
Instead:
Follow a step-by-step, balanced approach that prioritizes practice. Learn grammar alongside other language skills, and always apply what you learn as much as possible. It’s far better to know a little and use it well than to know a lot but struggle to apply it. Remember, while grammar is necessary to speak, you don’t need to know all of it to communicate fluently.
Avoid mistakes at all costs
In school and university, mistakes are often seen as something to be avoided because final grades depend on accuracy. In many professions, like engineering, medicine, or accounting, precision is crucial. But does the same principle apply when learning a language?
Answer: No.
Instead:
In language learning, the more mistakes you make, the faster you learn. Those who make mistakes tend to practice and take more risks, which accelerates progress. Mistakes are inevitable, and the sooner you make them, the sooner you can correct them, bringing you closer to fluency. So, don’t see mistakes as failures, but rather as necessary steps in your journey.
Listening to Portuguese music will help you learn
It’s true that immersion is key to mastering a language, especially when it comes to listening comprehension – a common struggle for learners. Portuguese music can be enjoyable and may help you pick up new words. But is it really an effective learning method?
Answer: No.
The reason is simple: we don’t speak the way we sing. Music is meant to express emotions in a non-literal, often poetic way. Many structures and expressions in songs are rarely, if ever, used in real-life conversations.
Instead:
Opt for audiobooks or graded readers suited to your level, as they often contain dialogues in everyday situations along with written texts. If you’re at an intermediate or advanced level and prefer native content, try Portuguese TV series with realistic conversations. These options will yield far better results.
Read children’s books to improve your Portuguese
Many assume that children’s books are easier to understand. However, children’s literature is a specialized genre with its own themes and expressions. Additionally, these books are written for native speakers, not learners.
Answer: No.
Since they are written for children, they have little relevance to adult life. Moreover, because they are in native-level Portuguese, they can actually be quite difficult to understand.
Instead:
Choose graded readers. Some of these books are classics of Portuguese and world literature, but they have been adapted with modern language and useful expressions that learners can apply in everyday conversations. If you’re a student at our school, you’ll have access to a variety of carefully adapted books. But don’t worry – while simplified, they are realistic and still offer a good challenge.
You must master pronunciation to speak well
Pronunciation is important because different languages have different phonetic systems, but should it be a top priority when you start speaking?
Answer: No.
In reality, if you’re learning Portuguese with a native teacher, it’s highly unlikely that your pronunciation will be terrible. Focusing too much on pronunciation when speaking can slow you down and take away from the real goal: understanding spoken Portuguese.
Yes, listening comprehension should be your main focus. When you understand native speakers, you can respond – even in simple or slightly incorrect sentences – and keep the conversation going. But the opposite – producing perfect sentences but failing to understand others – prevents real communication.
Instead:
Focus on pronunciation rules that will help you understand spoken Portuguese better. For example, notice how words blend together in natural speech or identify difficult-to-hear sounds. There are only a few key rules, but once your brain gets used to them, you’ll understand native speakers much more easily.
Translate everything
This is perhaps the most instinctive method of learning a language. Many learners want to control their understanding by translating every word to ensure they fully grasp the text. While this may seem logical in theory, does it work in practice?
Answer: No.
Instead:
Try to grasp the overall meaning of a text and only translate key words when necessary. Often, the words you don’t know are not crucial for understanding the main idea. Even fluent speakers of a foreign language don’t understand every single word they read or hear, but that doesn’t stop them from understanding the conversation.
The same applies when speaking. Don’t try to think in your native language and then translate – this will slow you down and prevent fluency. Instead, think in Portuguese and express your ideas using the words you already know. This will improve your communication skills significantly.
You need talent to learn a language well
It’s true that some people learn languages faster and seem to pick them up effortlessly, while others struggle to break through. Some learners enjoy the process, while others find it exhausting. There are “talented” students with no higher education, and others with PhDs who struggle with languages. So, is it fair to say that some people are just born lucky?
Answer: No.
Instead:
The real key is using the right method. The ability to learn doesn’t vary much from person to person, but learning strategies do. In fact, relaxed learners often achieve better results, even without realizing it, because they do things the right way:
- They don’t obsess over mistakes
- They don’t try to translate everything
- They don’t focus excessively on grammar
- They prioritize real communication
This doesn’t mean you should be careless and not make an effort. Instead, it shows how your approach can make all the difference.
Conclusion
Not everything that sounds logical in theory proves true in practice. No matter how sophisticated a theory may seem, real-life experience always wins. So, be skeptical of what seems “obvious” and test things out for yourself. That’s our advice for today.