grammar

I found a very good article on learning a language on Lexiophiles.com: www.lexiophiles.com: an interview with Spanish translator and TV show presenter Xosé Castro.

In my opinion, Xosé's three special tips for learners are really at the heart of learning a foreign language and having fun along the way. I am sure that my students will recognize this advice :) READ MORE>

Today I will answer your questions about the use of the word muito. Students often feel confused with muito. When is it just muito and when does it have a plural and a feminine?

I will organize my answer in three parts.

1) When muito means “very” it does not vary. Check out these examples: READ MORE>

Students often ask what the best Portuguese textbook is. There are several good books available. The best one for you will depend on your goals and your learning style. Here are a few books to consider.

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Street Smart Brazil had a fantastic get-together this past Sunday. Students, instructors, and friends met to socialize, practice Portuguese, and watch a Brazilian movie together. We saw the hilarious comedy Se Eu Fosse Você with renowned Brazilian actors Glória Pires and Tony Ramos. I can tell you that we did have a great laugh! Learning was on the menu, of course, and attendants received a vocabulary sheet with the main idiomatic expressions, colloquial language, and slang in the movie. I am so happy about the event! Several students are already asking when the next event will be! Muito obrigada, students. Valeu, friends. Show de bola, Street Smart team :) READ MORE>

On July 19th I posted a video teaching you how to say the months of the year. Now you are going to learn what articles and prepositions to use with the months.

First, a reminder: We do not capitalize the months of the year in Portuguese.

Let's go:

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I was in Brazil enjoying a fantastic cappuccino with crushed peanuts over it when I thought that it would be fun to write a post about the differences in the coffee drinks in Brazil and in the US. READ MORE>

I have talked about patterns between English and Portuguese in previous posts.  I gave you a list of cognates -- words that are very similar -- and I listed ninety words that are easy to memorize.

Today I will give you a list of 55 words with the following pattern: READ MORE>

Check out this site: AllVerbs.com

Muito legal. You type in the verb that you want and the site offers you all the conjugations for that verb. READ MORE>

I am preparing for my upcoming trip to Brazil (yay) and thought that my to-do list would provide good examples of how we use the verb Precisar.

Precisar = To need

The verb PRECISAR does not require preposition when it is followed by a verb in the infinitive.

Examples:
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I recently came across a blog that has become my number one place to read about Brazil: Eyes on Brazil. READ MORE>