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Three Tips For Language Learners

posted on March 18, 2010

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 🙂

 

1. Do not worry so much about your pronunciation

Really, the student’s first goal is to communicate and you will only be able to do so by trying and by making mistakes. It is OK to make mistakes; everyone who speaks a foreign language fluently has made plenty of mistakes. They are part of the journey and can become funny stories to tell. My friend Tuca will never forget the first time that he was asked “What’s up?” He looked up and asked “Where?”

 

2. Learn everyday expressions

Obviously I hold colloquial language in very high regard. That is why we are called Street Smart Brazil 🙂 When I studied English in Brazil, no one ever taught me how to say simple things like “What’s up?” When I first got to the US, I spoke fluent English but sounded as if I had materialized out of a textbook. Well, textbooks are important, but when we step in a foreign country or find ourselves among international friends, colloquial language is the real thing. Street Smart Brazil students know that very well!

 

3. Learn all the time

Weekly lessons are a very important part of the journey, but are not enough. A student needs to learn everyday and in every way: do your homework, listen to music, watch videos, talk with native speakers with every opportunity. Spend some time every day practicing and learning.

Here are three easy ways to find videos in Brazilian Portuguese online:

  • Search YouTube using keywords such as “Fantástico” (weekly variety TV show) or “Rede Globo” (biggest Brazilian TV network). Try these links: search results for “Rede Globo”,  search results for “Fantástico”, and search results for “novela Globo”. Search for Brazilian movies, as well. The Man Who Copied, for example, is entirely there divided into several different videos.
  • Justin TV:  They stream live video including TV channels from around the world. I searched for “Rede Globo” and got to watch Lord of The Rings dubbed in Portuguese 🙂
  • Rede Globo website: they have videos from all of their programs

It is worth reading the interview with Xosé Castro. Click here for the full article.

Related Articles:

Tips to Overcome Language Learning Frustration

Learning Portuguese: Becoming Linguistically Rich

Brazilian Portuguese Vocabulary: Mess

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About Luciana Lage

Luciana Lage founded Street Smart Brazil drawing on her passion for Brazilian Portuguese language and culture. Street Smart Brazil has been helping learners around the globe speak Portuguese with ease since 2008. Luciana has also taught Portuguese at the University of California, Berkeley and at the University of San Francisco.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kriszti

    January 11, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    I am learning Portuguese with you guys, because my favourite handball player is Eduarda Amorim. She plays at Hungary and I am hungarian. 🙂
    I like you #TeamStreetSmartBrazil! Thank you, Luciana! 🙂

    Reply
    • Luciana Lage

      January 11, 2015 at 5:37 pm

      Muito obrigada, Kriszti! Your message made me happy 🙂

      Reply
  2. Julien Nel

    November 27, 2014 at 4:27 am

    I’m enjoying the StreetSmartBrazil blog and videos on Youtube alot! I can speak quite a bit of spanish, and that is also helping me to learn.. I’m going to Brazil in 2 weeks time , the videos are very helpful and make it fun to learn Portuguese.

    All the best,
    Julien.

    Reply
    • Luciana Lage

      November 27, 2014 at 9:15 am

      Oi, Julien! Muito obrigada pelo seu comentário! I wish you a great trip to Brazil. When you are back, let us know how it went.

      If you’d like to practice before your trip, you can purchase our small package of 6 hours of instruction. Here is how we help you prepare for the trip:
      https://streetsmartbrazil.com/product/portuguese-travel/

      Reply
  3. Luciana Lage

    March 28, 2010 at 7:20 pm

    Hey Doran, it is good to know that you are practicing your Portuguese! Espero que esteja tudo bem com vocês 🙂

    Reply
  4. Doran

    March 27, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    So much appreciate the Portuguese video search tips Luciana.  Can’t wait to explore them!

    Doran

    Reply

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