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Learning Portuguese after taking up BJJ- Discussion
- Thread starter alphamale
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Hey guys... I have a lot of experience with this topic. I'm fluent in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. I have also started learning some Portuguese on the side for fun. My 2 cents:
1) Pimsleur Portuguese is a great way to start learning. However, bear in mind that because it teaches using the Pimsleur method of learning (repeatedly exposing you to the same vocabulary words by putting them into different sentences and different word orders), some of the phrases that you learn are "weird". I mean "weird" in the sense that while it's grammatically correct, no one in Brazil or Portugal would ever talk like that. Nonetheless, Pimsleur is a good (albeit pricey) way to dip your feet into Portuguese.
2) Junior College classes suck. I don't know about you guys but almost no one I know has been able to achieve fluency in a language from these remedial classes. If all you want is just a remedial grasp of a language, go ahead and go this route.
3) FSI rocks. Not sure if you guys are aware of this but the United States Foreign Service Institute (FSI) puts out a series of tapes and lessons for many different languages. These materials are used by to train ambassadors, spies, and the military in a foreign language. The goal of these materials is to achieve either native fluency or close to native fluency. These materials are ALOT OF HARD WORK but you will be amazed at how proficient you become in a language with them. One caveat is that some of the vocab that you learn has little day to day utility (military titles, military equipment, etc...).
4) Barrons- Mastering Brazilian Portuguese. Barrons has simply taken volumes 1 and 2 of the FSI tapes for Portuguese and repackaged it in a cheaper, cleaner format. This is the same great stuff. Highly recommended!
5) Rosetta Stone- Personally, I find these programs to be okay. They're a good supplement to a more "hardcore" program like FSI. You can learn a lot from these computer programs. However, don't expect to achieve a high degree of proficiency.
By the way, if you speak Spanish, Portuguese will come easily to you. The grammar is nearly identical and the vocabulary has a lot of similarities/overlap.
1) Pimsleur Portuguese is a great way to start learning. However, bear in mind that because it teaches using the Pimsleur method of learning (repeatedly exposing you to the same vocabulary words by putting them into different sentences and different word orders), some of the phrases that you learn are "weird". I mean "weird" in the sense that while it's grammatically correct, no one in Brazil or Portugal would ever talk like that. Nonetheless, Pimsleur is a good (albeit pricey) way to dip your feet into Portuguese.
2) Junior College classes suck. I don't know about you guys but almost no one I know has been able to achieve fluency in a language from these remedial classes. If all you want is just a remedial grasp of a language, go ahead and go this route.
3) FSI rocks. Not sure if you guys are aware of this but the United States Foreign Service Institute (FSI) puts out a series of tapes and lessons for many different languages. These materials are used by to train ambassadors, spies, and the military in a foreign language. The goal of these materials is to achieve either native fluency or close to native fluency. These materials are ALOT OF HARD WORK but you will be amazed at how proficient you become in a language with them. One caveat is that some of the vocab that you learn has little day to day utility (military titles, military equipment, etc...).
4) Barrons- Mastering Brazilian Portuguese. Barrons has simply taken volumes 1 and 2 of the FSI tapes for Portuguese and repackaged it in a cheaper, cleaner format. This is the same great stuff. Highly recommended!
5) Rosetta Stone- Personally, I find these programs to be okay. They're a good supplement to a more "hardcore" program like FSI. You can learn a lot from these computer programs. However, don't expect to achieve a high degree of proficiency.
By the way, if you speak Spanish, Portuguese will come easily to you. The grammar is nearly identical and the vocabulary has a lot of similarities/overlap.
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Where can you get the FSI/Barron's stuff?
And as a slight aside, when you talk about native fluency, that includes more colloquial ways of speaking right? A lot of problems with lessons (especially prepared lessons) is that they stick to a too formal style that no one really uses.
And as a slight aside, when you talk about native fluency, that includes more colloquial ways of speaking right? A lot of problems with lessons (especially prepared lessons) is that they stick to a too formal style that no one really uses.
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yeah ive noticed that will all the languages ive studied, the formal way of teacing is different to how its spoken on the street
but its a good start. the only way to really speak like a local is immersion- either go there or surround yourself with native speakers whilst learning. i have to go with option b for now
but its a good start. the only way to really speak like a local is immersion- either go there or surround yourself with native speakers whilst learning. i have to go with option b for now
F
Fozzy1
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will you take me with you when you go to Brasil, Mr Shoji?
~Foz
~Foz
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I'm sorry but Pimsleur and Rosetta are for below basic interactions. Input is everything in acquiring second and third languages. Interacting with native speakers and reading texts for native speakers is the most productive way to learn a language.
SenshiJin, has it right. Language tapes/programs will help give you a foundation but nothing beats interacting with native speakers.
I have been speaking Portuguese for over ten years and I am still learning.
Find Brazilian TV, movies, books, etc.
And beware of the accents, talking in Rio is very different compared to Brasilia or San Paulo.
I have been speaking Portuguese for over ten years and I am still learning.
Find Brazilian TV, movies, books, etc.
And beware of the accents, talking in Rio is very different compared to Brasilia or San Paulo.
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agreed, but for those people keen to learn that ont have the opportunity to immerse there programs have their place.
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No but ill take you and your TERRIBLE fight picks to school again next time you make it to watch an event...
:icon_twis
F
Fozzy1
Guest
I blame forced interaction TUF noobs in the HWT's on my terrible picking form.
/cry
I am always up for the one in July 5th-6th whatever it is, if we can organise something.
~Foz
/cry
I am always up for the one in July 5th-6th whatever it is, if we can organise something.
~Foz
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This is some good advice.
You can communicate by using what you got from Pimsleur, but I think understanding the spoken language could be a problem in the beginning. The diference between formal and informal portuguese is dire, a lot bigger than in english.
Also, be careful with the spanish similarities. They exist in the vocabulary, but pronunciation is very different. They might sound similar, but they're not. Fuck, I had to speak english in more than one ocasion when I went to Argentina.
YouTube - Mais uma trapalhada de Cabe
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i will see what i can do.
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family guy in portuguese is great. i watched it after coming home from the clube at 5am in Goiania. It's nice to see stuff from the usa every once in a while.
my wife and all of my in laws are brazilian (from Goias) but my portuguese teacher is from Rio so yeah --the accent and home and at school is very different. they pronounce "nos" different and a bunch of other subtle things..
It's just weird living in California being a pale white guy that is developing a brazilian accent when i speak english.
my wife and all of my in laws are brazilian (from Goias) but my portuguese teacher is from Rio so yeah --the accent and home and at school is very different. they pronounce "nos" different and a bunch of other subtle things..
It's just weird living in California being a pale white guy that is developing a brazilian accent when i speak english.
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All you guys advocating immersion as the best way to learn a language are 100% correct. Unfortunately, many of us don't have the time or money to immerse ourselves in a language, especially when we're learning a language as a hobby. This doesn't mean that only people who are able to immerse themselves in a language should be able to enjoy the joys of learning a new language. The best language learning tapes/cd's/computer programs/etc... are the ones that replicate the immersion process as best as possible.
You can purchase the Barron's stuff off of Amazon. I buy 90% of my language materials off of Ebay. Even if you lose an auction, some opportunistic vendors (who notice that you lost an auction for language materials) will contact you to see if you want to buy some steeply discounted tapes and CDs.
Native fluency means speaking instinctually (like most of us do with English). There's little to no hesitation and your accent, intonations, and tone replicate that of a native speaker. It does include colloquialisms.
My criticism of the Pimsleur involves the Pimsleur method of graduated recall. It works GREAT for pounding vocab words into your head but you wind up learning phrases that aren't realistic. Here's a quick exaggerated example of how the process works:
Phrase 1) Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.
2) Up the hill went Jack and Jill to fetch a pail of water.
3) Where did Jack and Jill go to fetch a pail of water?
4) To fetch a pail of water, Jack and Jill went up the hill.
5) How did Jack and Jill fetch a pail of water?
6) Jack and Jill fetched a pail of water by going up the hill.
Obviously, some of those phrases would never be used in everyday language. Pimsleur is a great (albeit expensive) method of getting familiar with the basics of a language. Personally, I always use a Pimsleur language series prior to visiting a country for vacation. I recently used the Pimsleur Greek CD's prior to going to Greece (rented it from my local library for free). It helped me out a bit with the basics (asking for restrooms, thanking people, asking for directions to the Parthenon).
You can purchase the Barron's stuff off of Amazon. I buy 90% of my language materials off of Ebay. Even if you lose an auction, some opportunistic vendors (who notice that you lost an auction for language materials) will contact you to see if you want to buy some steeply discounted tapes and CDs.
Native fluency means speaking instinctually (like most of us do with English). There's little to no hesitation and your accent, intonations, and tone replicate that of a native speaker. It does include colloquialisms.
My criticism of the Pimsleur involves the Pimsleur method of graduated recall. It works GREAT for pounding vocab words into your head but you wind up learning phrases that aren't realistic. Here's a quick exaggerated example of how the process works:
Phrase 1) Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.
2) Up the hill went Jack and Jill to fetch a pail of water.
3) Where did Jack and Jill go to fetch a pail of water?
4) To fetch a pail of water, Jack and Jill went up the hill.
5) How did Jack and Jill fetch a pail of water?
6) Jack and Jill fetched a pail of water by going up the hill.
Obviously, some of those phrases would never be used in everyday language. Pimsleur is a great (albeit expensive) method of getting familiar with the basics of a language. Personally, I always use a Pimsleur language series prior to visiting a country for vacation. I recently used the Pimsleur Greek CD's prior to going to Greece (rented it from my local library for free). It helped me out a bit with the basics (asking for restrooms, thanking people, asking for directions to the Parthenon).
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I have been really finally studying it for the past few months myself using alot of the same resources I have heard some of you fellows using...Pimsleur...Rosetta Stone...
then I found this FREE language exchange site...
alot of them charge money and even though $6 a month wasn't alot...I prefer free
They do offer a pay membership but just for extra features, all the features you would actually need are free.
Language Exchange Community - Practice and learn foreign languages with penpal using Skype
Basically, just sign up for free..and put in whatever language you speak and are willing to teach, and then put in what language you want to learn.
You can then converse with a native Brazilian (or whatever language) in email, chat, video chats whatever you want..you can talk to chicks or dudes, whatever your preference is.
It has helped me tremendously, because although I can say a few things to my instructor I don't sit there and make him try to have a conversation with my shitty Portuguese, but I get home and someone is almost always on to talk to in Portuguese..
And from my experience, everyone is really helpful and eager to teach you and you teach them English in exchange.
Worth a try if you are interested in learning Portuguese.
then I found this FREE language exchange site...
alot of them charge money and even though $6 a month wasn't alot...I prefer free
They do offer a pay membership but just for extra features, all the features you would actually need are free.
Language Exchange Community - Practice and learn foreign languages with penpal using Skype
Basically, just sign up for free..and put in whatever language you speak and are willing to teach, and then put in what language you want to learn.
You can then converse with a native Brazilian (or whatever language) in email, chat, video chats whatever you want..you can talk to chicks or dudes, whatever your preference is.
It has helped me tremendously, because although I can say a few things to my instructor I don't sit there and make him try to have a conversation with my shitty Portuguese, but I get home and someone is almost always on to talk to in Portuguese..
And from my experience, everyone is really helpful and eager to teach you and you teach them English in exchange.
Worth a try if you are interested in learning Portuguese.
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Language Learning with Livemocha | Learn a Language Online - Free!
Free website with a friends interface like Facbook. Your friends critique your language exercises and you critique theirs. There is also a live chat available.
Lessons include vocab, writing and verbal sections.
I made very fast progress initially with this, then slacked off. Need to get back on it quickly. Brazil in January!
Free website with a friends interface like Facbook. Your friends critique your language exercises and you critique theirs. There is also a live chat available.
Lessons include vocab, writing and verbal sections.
I made very fast progress initially with this, then slacked off. Need to get back on it quickly. Brazil in January!
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Nice! I will have to try this one as well.
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