Learning Portuguese - Page 2

Do They Speak English in Portugal? An Honest Region-by-Region Answer

A man with a beard is looking down while holding a large white sign that reads "DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?" in bold, black letters. He is wearing a black vest over a gray shirt and standing against a plain, gray background.

One of the most frequently asked questions on Portugalist is: how widely is English spoken in Portugal? Can I get by with English or do I really need to learn Portuguese? You may have travelled or lived in other European countries like France or Spain where English isn’t always spoken. Portugal’s not like that. When it comes to speaking English as a second language, Portugal is the 9th most proficient country in the world, according to the EF English Proficiency …

A person with long hair, wearing headphones and a light blue shirt, sits at a desk and uses a laptop. The desk is cluttered with notebooks, highlighters, and pens. A bookshelf with various books and folders is in the background.

Forget stuffy classrooms, outdated textbooks, and mind-numbing printouts. These modern courses are a far cry from traditional language classes. They’re flexible, engaging, and designed to fit around real life (work, kids, moving paperwork, and the occasional existential spiral about Portuguese pronunciation). Whether you’re planning to retire in the Algarve, study in Coimbra, or just want to pass that all-important A2 exam for citizenship, there’s a course out there for you. The trick is picking the right one—because “best” depends on …

A woman wearing headphones sits at a wooden table in front of a laptop. She is writing in a notebook with a pen. The background features large green plants and window blinds that let in natural light. Glasses and other items are placed on the table.

If you’re learning European Portuguese, a good milestone to aim for is the A2 level. This level, which is the second level in the CEFR scale, will give you enough Portuguese to navigate many basic day-to-day conversations and basically just get by. The B1 and B2 levels (or intermediate) will give you more skills to handle day-to-day conversations and really get by, but at the A2 level, also known as upper-beginner, you’ll have a good foundation on which to keep …

Podcasts are a handy language learning tool to have your arsenal, particularly if you have some regular free time where you can listen to them such as during a commute to work. They can work well when used in addition to a Portuguese course, providing you with new vocabulary and repetition of things you may have already heard. The following are some of the top podcasts for learning Portuguese. We’ll start with European Portuguese, because this blog is about Portugal, …

Can You Learn European Portuguese with Duolingo?

Duolingo is one of the most popular language learning apps and so it isn’t surprising that many people download it when they decide to learn Portuguese. But after a while, some people end up realising that Duolingo teaches Brazilian Portuguese and not European Portuguese. This might not seem like a big deal. After all, many people learn American English and get by in the UK just fine (and vice versa). Unfortunately, the differences between European and Brazilian Portuguese are a …

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According to the The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR or CEFL), the ability to speak, write, and understand a language can be broken into six stages: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. A1 is the first level, and it essentially means absolute beginner. If you have an A1 level of Portuguese, you’ll be able to do things like introduce yourself and talk a little about yourself. You’ll be able to use simple everyday expressions and to interact …

A smiling couple and their young son are looking at a laptop together. The woman is wearing a yellow top, and the man is in a blue denim shirt. The boy, who is seated, is focused on the screen. They appear to be enjoying their time together.

If you’re moving to Portugal with children, one of your biggest questions is probably: how do we help them learn Portuguese? It’s true that children often pick up languages faster than adults. But that does not mean you want to throw them straight into the deep end and hope for the best. Most parents would prefer to give their kids a gentler start, with time to hear the language, recognize common words, and build confidence before school or day-to-day life …

A word cloud in the shape of a cross features various Portuguese and Spanish words in different colors and sizes. The words include strong language and profanities such as "Caralho," "Paneleiro," "Filho da puta," and "Cona" on a light brown background.

Welcome to the colorful and occasionally rambunctious world of European Portuguese slang and those words your Portuguese grandma might gasp at! Let’s forget about the standard Portuguese courses (and other great resources) for a second and take a look at the fun side of European Portuguese. In this article, we’ll dive into the expressions that make Portuguese locals chuckle, the idioms that are as Portuguese as pastel de nata, and yes, even those words that might earn you a disapproving …

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While a lot of people aim for an A2 level of Portuguese, as this is the level needed to obtain Portuguese citizenship, aiming for a B1 or lower-intermediate is a lot more practical if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in Portugal. Ideally, you should use this as a stepping stone to work towards a B2 level of Portuguese. With a B1 level, you’ll be able to have slightly more complex conversations and understand a lot more …

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Watching Portuguese TV can be a great way to learn a few new Portuguese words and phrases and immerse yourself in the sounds of the Portuguese language. Unless your Portuguese is already at a very good level, you’re going to need to watch TV with Portuguese subtitles (legendas). That way, you can listen and read at the same time and you’ll have a much better understanding of what’s going on. As you progress, you’ll get to a point where you …

Do They Speak English in Portugal? An Honest Region-by-Region Answer

15+ European Portuguese Courses (With Reviews)

Beyond The Basics: How to Learn Portuguese to A2 Level

10+ Great Podcasts For Learning Portuguese

Can You Learn European Portuguese with Duolingo?

Learning Portuguese to A1 Level (absolute Beginner)

European Portuguese Resources for Kids

Portuguese Slang, Insults, & Swear Words (You Probably Don’t Need to Know)

Learning Portuguese to B1 (Lower-intermediate) Level

20+ Portuguese TV Shows (With Subtitles) That You Can Stream