Randy Said:

Is Portuguese a difficult language to learn?

We Answered:

I found my Spanish just got in the way of the Portuguese -- the vocab is similar but the pronunciation is totally different so, if you are just wanting to learn to read, tudo bem - spanish could help.

It's really better to go 100% portuguese. You will actually be better off w/o the spanish!

Classes and privates are the way to go but, for praticing and training the ear I liked the semantica series for ipod - http://www.semantica-portuguese.com

Tara Said:

Does anyone know of a european portuguese language learning software?

We Answered:

Olá, Ed! Como estás?

I moderate the Yahoo group "Awful Portuguese" (I didn't name it.) and, through it, help many students learn either BP or EP...or both. Since it's over the web and free, I try to keep on top of all that's available for free on the internet and incorporate the good into our learning. Where I can't find good, free materials already available, I design my own and post them in the group.

The only *software* I know of off the top of my head is BYKI's free program, which will help you learn how to pronounce specific words. Although it is excellent for pronunciation of those specific words, it doesn't necessarily teach you how to generalize that knowledge. (Mind you, I've only tried the free version.)

If you're interested in joining Awful Portuguese, the other group members and I can help you with all aspects of learning EP:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awfulportu…

Here are some other sites which I recommend:

Europe Ensemble:
http://europensemble.crdp-nantes.eu/

Linguasnet:
http://www.linguasnet.com/lessons/home_p…

Prentice Hall's _Ponto de Encontro_:
http://wps.prenhall.com/wl_klobucka_pont…
(This last one exposes the student to both BP and EP.)

Portugal: Língua e Cultura
http://www.linguatextltd.com/portugal/in…

I hope to see you in the group!

PS: I almost forgot TextAloud and Acapela!
http://www.acapela-group.com/text-to-spe…
http://www.nextup.com/
I'm currently taking a course in Teaching Portuguese as a Second/Foreign Language, through the Instituto Camões, and consequently have to do a lot of reading, but I much prefer to listen. So I bought the text-to-speech software and Célia's voice. Not precisely "language-learning software", but it can be helpful to a sophisticated learner.

Susan Said:

where to buy dvd or cd learning european portuguese language?

We Answered:

Hi

You can learn Portuguese (Portugal!!) here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/portugues…
http://www.sitiodosmiudos.pt/sitio.asp
http://cvc.instituto-camoes.pt/guiadebol…
http://www.byki.com/fls/free-portuguese-…
http://www.youtube.com/user/PortugalForY…
http://www.portugueselearning.com/
http://www.travlang.com/languages/cgi-bi…
http://sites.google.com/site/afalarportu…
http://avaxhome.ws/software/software_typ…

Good luck learning my language =)

Catherine Said:

what is the best language learning program for portuguese?

We Answered:

if you want to learn Brazilian Portuguese, talk to me! I'm a native... send me e-mails, I'll answer them with pleasure... then, if you prefer, I'll give you my msn... ok?

se você quer aprender o português brasileiro, fale comigo! Sou nativo... me mande e-mails, vou te responder com prazer... então, se você preferir, te dou meu msn... ok?

beijos!

Jesus Said:

Is Portuguese a language worth learning?

We Answered:

Brazil has gone from being an importer of oil to an exporter. Of the global oil companies, Petrobrás is reputed to have the greatest expertise in deep-sea exploration for oil and in extraction of oil. Consequently, Brazil is expected to become a major exporter.

It is already by far the colossus of Latin America. Its growing influence is reflected in its population of 200 million, its occupation of more than half the South American continent, its being the first country to develop ethanol as fuel for combustion engines out of sugar cane (about 7-9 times more efficient than ethanol made out of corn), its widely diverse, highly-industrialized economy, its booming steel industry (the US imports most of its steel from Brazil), and its attraction to tourists.

It has some serious problems that had been obstacles in its development: corrupt government, social injustice, a high rate of crime and violence, and an unacceptably high level of poverty. None of this is new, however, and the country, in spite of these obstacles, is gaining, exponentially, greater importance globally.

It is still not a good place to look for a job. I think that, in the future, it will be. Furthermore, as the US and other countries increase economic ties to Brazil, knowledge of the language and culture will be increasingly important outside Brazil.

Something else that highly recommends Brazil is its aggressively friendly people--especially in the Northeast. It is a country made up of immigrants from all over the world; when you are there you realize that its diversity is even greater than that of the US. Nevertheless, speaking in generalizations, of course, everyone is Brazilian. No hyphens. There are no Italian-Brazilians, African-Brazilians, etc. They are all Brazilian and they are proud of their nationality, their music, their culture, their various dances (especially the various forms of the samba), their Caranaval, and their hospitality. Unlike the South of the US, the hospitality is not just on the surface. Despite their strong ties to family and friends, you are welcome in their midst and in their homes.

I speak Portuguese at home. My children speak Portuguese, and so do my grandchildren. I have studied the language--together with Spanish and linguistics--in graduate school. I have studied other languages and cultures as well: knowing more about our common humanity throughout the world is a passion with me.

But I love Brazil just as I love my own country.

In a word, yes. Portuguese is a language worth learning. And then some. Actually, much more than "some."

***Edit: I am clearly prejudiced, cocia, but I am genuinely pleased that you really like the Portuguese language and that you find it beautiful. Please allow me to offer a suggestion: Use the preposition "de" after "gostar": "gosto muito DA língua. And stay with the language; no matter how you speak in Brazil--poorly, OK, or very well, if you are perceived as trying your best, your efforts will be appreciated and warmly received.

April Said:

How to learn the brazilian portuguese language?

We Answered:

To speak correctly portuguese is not easy. People often say they speak portuguese, and the moment I hear them speak, they're speaking portunhol. Which is a mix of both.

THe best way to learn a language, obviously would be by moving to Brasil. IF that's not possible, rosetta stone, portuguese speaking friends, etc. Also online, on youtube even there are serveral brazilian portuguese courses for free!