Learn Portuguese: 3 Great books for intermediate and advanced learners

I wrote another review on best books to learn Portuguese including textbooks for all levels. I recommend reading that article too.  On this article I will share with you three books that I recommend for intermediate and advanced learners of Portuguese. Especially if you enjoy a good read, it is worth using these books.

Great Books for Learn Portuguese – Intermediate and Advanced Learners

Via Brasil

Via Brasil brings short texts by Brazilian writers accompanied by vocabulary exercises, as well as short grammar reviews and practice exercises. The book has accompanying CDs that you need to purchase separately. I always recommend getting the CDs when they are available. They can help you improve your listening skills.

Via Brasil teaches both formal and colloquial Portuguese. The texts presented in the book range from formal to informal language accordingly. Several of the texts bring a cultural element to the learning process which certainly adds value to the book.

This is not a book for you to start learning Portuguese. To benefit from Via Brasil you need to have at least intermediate-mid  reading skills.

You can use the book to learn by yourself if you just want to focus on reading, building vocabulary, and practicing a little grammar. If that is your goal, I suggest you also get the Manual do Professor with the answers to all the exercises. To get the full benefit of the book, however, you need to use Via Brasil with a professional language instructor who can add value to each lesson and help you develop your speaking skills.

If possible, get the book that says on the cover: “Com a nova ortografia”, which means it has been reviewed according to the new Portuguese spelling rules from 2009.

Crônicas Brasileiras

Crônicas Brasileiras brings 35 chronicles by Brazilian writers. After each text, you will find exercises: a few questions about the text and a few grammar and vocabulary exercises. I like the texts very much. Some great Brazilian writers are represented here, such as Fernando Sabino (one of my favorites), Rubem Braga, Paulo Mendes Campo, Rachel de Queiroz e Paulo Rónai.

Just keep in mind that you need to enjoy reading to like this book. The language in the texts is not exactly direct and objective. It is literature, not a magazine article.

Viajando através do alfabeto

Viajando Através do Alfabeto is also a very nice book for intermediate and advanced learners who enjoy a good read. It brings 26 chronicles by Brazilian writer Moacyr Scliar. Each chapter offers questions to discuss before and after the reading, a quick grammar review + exercises, and a short lesson + exercises about figures of speech. There is no audio component.

Happy Portuguese!

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