PortuguesePod101.com Blog

When getting to know a different country and culture, why not start by learning the local language, a guaranteed way to let locals know you’re interested in being part of their world and culture? Learning some quick tips and basic conversational rules can be a great shortcut to making new friends, ensuring a variety of experiences during your visit, and even arranging business opportunities. With Brazilians, trying to speak Portuguese is a sign of great respect and should earn you quick empathy amongst locals. First things first, learn how to introduce yourself in Portuguese. A simple "my name is…" in Portuguese can represent the difference between a long-lasting, successful relationship with locals, and just passing by unnoticed. If you... Show more

Are you wondering, "When is Valentine’s Day in Brazil?" National Boyfriend and Girlfriend Day is the equivalent of Valentine’s Day in Brazil, a day set aside for lovers. On Boyfriend and Girlfriend (Valentine’s) Day, Brazil also keeps in mind St. Anthony of Padua, who is known for his teachings on love and marriage. Learning about National Girlfriend and Boyfriend Day will help you to see Brazil through a clearer lens, in terms of its culture and its take on a holiday you may already be familiar with in your own country. Any successful language-learner can tell you that this is an essential step in mastering your target language, Portuguese. And at PortuguesePod101.com, we hope to make this—and all—lessons both fun and... Show more

Movies are a complex language. They unite sound and image in movement to form symbols and meaning for many purposes and across many cultures. That’s why watching foreign Portuguese movies makes it easier for learners of this language to get in touch with cultural elements of Portuguese-speaking countries, and allows them to hear how the vocabulary is used in real situations. Learn Portuguese watching movies? Yep! Learners can improve their hearing abilities with movies. In addition, they can explore the symbols, habits, landscapes, and general information that’s portrayed on the screen. A movie can be an open door for many things, from knowing the works of certain directors and actors to developing academic studies on a theme of... Show more

Talk with anyone who’s learned a new language and they’ll tell you that music, TV shows, and books were a major help in improving their knowledge. So if you’re learning Portuguese, why not do the same? You’re definitely lucky in that regard, especially when talking about TV shows, movies, and audiovisual productions. Brazil has a long tradition of good work in those areas, with dozens of telenovela Portuguese TV shows exported to hundreds of countries, and more recently, series that have gained respect worldwide. So, there’s no need to search for Portuguese TV channels streams: We’ll bring some examples of the best Brazilian TV shows to learn Portuguese in this article. Thanks to streaming services, you can check them out and learn... Show more

Joaquim Jose da Silva Xavier (Tiradentes) is considered a hero among Brazilians, and thus has a holiday commemorating the day that he was hanged a martyr. Tiradentes was a large supporter of and actor in the Minas Conspiracy, which ultimately sought to end the monarchy and win independence for Brazil. Tiradentes Day is one of the most significant holidays in Brazil, seeing the high stakes that Tiradentes sought after for the country. As you read through this article, you’ll uncover layers of Brazil’s history and culture that are vital for your understanding! 1. Reading Practice: What is Tiradentes Day in Brazil? Why is the holiday Tiradentes celebrated in Brazil? Read the Brazilian Portuguese text below to find out (you can... Show more

A complete guide to find a job in Brazil. Destination: success! You probably know somebody who’s studied abroad or who has plans to settle down in a foreign country. We live in a context of global connections, and the general trend is to strengthen bonds with people all around the world. To bond successfully and settle down in Portuguese-speaking countries, one must go after Portuguese-speaking jobs. Though there are many work opportunities for foreigners and even tourists nowadays, there’s no substitute for knowing the language in order to work and find jobs in Brazil. Do you need a Brazil work visa? What are your chances of landing Brazil expat jobs considering the job vacancy today? What are the main jobs in Brazil? The goal... Show more

Carnival is probably the most famous Brazilian holiday in the world. It's also the largest "collective party" in the country. Many people associate Carnaval with samba or Rio, but in this lesson, you will discover that Carnival is much more than that. We’ll tell you how Carnival is celebrated in other parts of Brazil and what we Brazilians normally do at this time. As you learn more about Carnaval in Brazil (sometimes called El Carnaval Brazil), you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Brazilian and Portuguese culture. Thanks for letting PortuguesePod101.com be your guide! Let’s get started. 1. What is What is Carnaval in Brazil? The Carnival festival in Brazil is a time of dancing and general fun before the upcoming Lent... Show more

Do you often feel lonely and sad? Do you long for romance and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that special person? Speaking another language could revolutionize your love life! So, why wait? Learning how to say ‘love’ in Portuguese could be just what you need to find it. Or perhaps you were lucky, and have found your Portuguese partner already. Fantastic! Yet, a cross-cultural relationship comes with unique challenges. Learning how to speak your lover’s language will greatly improve your communication and enhance the relationship. At PortuguesePod101, our team will teach you all the words, quotes and phrases you need to woo your Portuguese lover with excellence! Our tutors provide personal assistance, with plenty of extra... Show more

Can You Really Learn Portuguese Alone? Learning a language on your own or without traditional classroom instruction may seem quite daunting at first. What if you run into questions? How do you stay motivated and on track to achieving goals? Don’t worry, not only is it possible to learn Portuguese or any language without traditional classroom instruction: PortuguesePod101 has created the world’s most advanced and extensive online language learning system. Not only is PortuguesePod101 specifically designed to help you with learning a language on your own, it’s actually faster, more convenient, and less expensive than traditional classroom options! Let’s look at some of the benefits of learning Portuguese or any language alone. Also,... Show more

Yes, even beginners can quickly learn conversational Portuguese well enough to carry on real conversations with native speakers. Of course, beginners won’t be able to carry a conversation the same way they could in their native language. But, just knowing a few tips like which questions to ask to keep a conversation going are all you need to speak and interact with real native speakers! But before we get to specific suggestions, let’s first take a closer look at how having real Portuguese conversations is so vital to your mastery of the language. Learning to Carry a Conversation is Vital to Mastery of Any Language Communicating with other people is the very point of language and conversation is almost second nature in our native tongue.... Show more