Learn Portuguese in Rio

Many want to learn Portuguese while they are in Rio de Janeiro. There is no clear answer to what is the best way. On this page I have tried to put together the different options available. Before talking about different Portuguese courses I want to say a few words about method:

What Method Is Right For You?
What is the best way to learn Portuguese? Well this question has no answer; you have to pick the method that is right for you. Time available, previous knowledge, money and most importantly: Your own disposition to learn. You have to find out the best way for you to learn a language, it is very individual so give this some thought. Some people learn by speaking; then talk to Brazilians... Some need structure; take a university course... and so on. Last but not least I have to tell you to not be lazy! You have to discipline yourself and to get the homework done. Without your determination to learn you´d be better off sipping a Caipirinha on the beach.

Universities
The only real Portuguese courses for foreigners on this level is at PUC Rio (Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro). They have courses on 5 levels and this is in my view the most complete way to learn Portuguese here. Studying at a Brazilian university also gives you access to loads of students; people that can become your friends and also be your practice ground for what you have learned. Sometimes they do intensive 6 week courses but in general they run over 4 months. All the info about this you can get by clicking PUC-Rio .

Language Schools
There are many of these around. The education you get is pretty standard: Classes are based on a textbook, there is homework and you have some excursions. In my view there is no reason why you couldn´t do this on your own. Get a text book and a practice book; If you have questions just ask any Brazilian you know (in the hostel, hotel...), study yourself. These courses are good if you need someone to tell you what to do, the fixed dates and the homework may be the push you need. There are so many courses out there that I won´t mention anyone, just search on the internet and you´ll find them. I have met quite a few people that have done these courses, the few that have been positive have had a really enthusiastic teacher. I may be ignorant in this subject, if you have participated in a course you liked please let me know and I´ll include it in this text. I personally think that the online courses that are offered by Learn Portuguese Now is a very good option. On the homepage you have many fun and useful features. Studying online of course also gives you the comfort of being able to do it from your hammock!

The Private Lessons
An alternative to the schools above are the private lessons. In many hostels you have offers like: "Learn Portuguese with a Carioca". You will basically do the same thing as above but there is a big difference: It will be you (maybe with someone else) alone with the teacher. You may meet in a restaurant, have a cup of coffee and speak Portuguese. Most likely you will receive homework that you are expected to do until the next encounter. This method is much more liberal and you can decide yourself what you want to focus on.

Do It Yourself
I already mentioned the possibility to do it yourself. Get a text book, a practice book and a dictionary. Follow the chapters. As a complement you can buy a book in Portuguese in which you read and translate a chapter each day or week. If you combine this with discipline and a willingness to talk with Brazilians (avoid the English!) you should pick things up quite fast. This is the way I learned, I preferred this method since I dont like lessons of any kind.

Just click Free Portuguese Dictionary and you´ll get to a page where I have links to some of the best resources available on the internet. I have also written a page about the Portuguese Language where you can read about i from a linguistic perspective.


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