Discover The Journey – Your Portuguese Language Course Online
Learning a new language is always beneficial. It is an incredible way to enhance your cognitive abilities and memory. It also improves your career prospects and opens opportunities for better travel experiences.
Are you looking to take on a foreign language? If so, have you ever considered learning Portuguese? It is the eighth most spoken language in the world, with over 260 million speakers. Thus, acquiring it allows you to connect with Portuguese-speaking communities and cultures worldwide.
At Portuguese With Carla, we teach European Portuguese with an emphasis on practical skills and cultural understanding. We love helping people like you not only learn Portuguese but also explore the country, culture, and people. After all, learning a new language is all about establishing new connections.
If you would love to learn Portuguese but do not know where or how to start, this post is for you. Keep reading to discover why online learning is the way to go and how to choose the best study approach for you. Explore the different types of programs available and how they shape your learning. Finally, discover our unique course – an adventure that takes you to confidence and fluency.
Why Learn Portuguese Online?
In an increasingly technological society, foreign language learning is transforming and adapting to new approaches. While many are still resisting technology, most people see its practical value. Consider some of the benefits of learning Portuguese online.
The Benefits of Learning Portuguese Online
Digital resources have transformed how people of all ages learn around the world. They brought new levels of flexibility to traditional study and made studying more practical and accessible. Students can now learn at their own pace and fit their studies into their current routines. After all, they only need a charged device and a solid Wi-Fi connection.
For example, online classes allow students to learn their target language and choose between individual classes or small group settings. Besides, study resources tend to be more easily accessible than with traditional teaching methods. They have also become more comprehensive, including interactive exercises and cultural aspects.
Another advantage lies in the possibility of connecting with fellow learners and teachers from anywhere. With the click of a button, you can get support to overcome common challenges. For example, if you notice a specific difficulty, you attend online classes for that subject.
A Note on European Vs. Brazilian Portuguese
As you probably already know, there are two main variants of the Portuguese language. Despite being very close to each other, they have enough differences to make it challenging for you to learn both at once. In fact, doing so can make your path to fluency slower and more demanding.
There are many contrasts between Brazilian and European pronunciation, vocabulary, and even grammar. Additionally, Portugal and Brazil are different countries with strikingly distinct cultures. These dissimilarities reflect on linguistics and will affect your development as a learner.
If you do not filter the resources you use, you will add unnecessary complexity to your learning process. As a result, your progress will be much slower. Thus, before starting your Portuguese online classes or picking a course, you must decide which variant to learn.
Consider your goals for learning Portuguese. Which variant will be most beneficial for you? Which will allow you to communicate best with those around you? Which interests you the most? These and similar questions will help you reach a definite conclusion that will guide your education henceforth.
How to Choose Your Portuguese Language-Learning Approach
After choosing the variant of Portuguese you want to learn, you must opt for an approach. Most students favor a guided strategy, but many prefer to pick which subjects to learn and when. Of course, a self-guided process often lacks the support and structure needed to reach your goals. This is especially true when you have a timeline or have established time-bound objectives.
Proficiency is another area you need to consider. Your needs will vary according to your current knowledge of the language. As such, a beginner will approach topics like the alphabet sounds, while an intermediate student might jump to conversational practice. Besides, you might need to start slower if Portuguese is your first foreign tongue. Conversely, it might be easier for you to tackle it if you have already learned other languages.
Moreover, there are programs to help you improve in more specific areas. For example, you can try legal Portuguese or business Portuguese courses if you are learning the language for work. These specialized courses can provide you with tools to grow faster and practice Portuguese in your field of interest.
Consider how to choose the best approach for your goals and proficiency level.
Evaluating Portuguese Online Classes and Courses
When you are evaluating the best Portuguese online classes or courses for you, there are a few different things to think about. How would you answer the following questions?
- Do you prefer hiring a teacher or enrolling in a self-paced course?
- Do you want to explore the language’s theory? Or do you want to discover the informal language and learn how the natives speak to each other?
- What is your preferred format? Do you like the traditional study methods or prefer something more interactive?
- How high or low is your budget?
- How long do you have to reach your learning goals?
- Are you a complete beginner? Or do you already have some knowledge of the language?
After answering these questions, you will have a better notion of which options to look into. You should check the course format and pricing to ensure it fits your needs and budget. You should also consider the level of support and resources provided and read reviews by other learners.
Course Formats
A simple search online will reveal multiple courses and programs to choose from. Some focus on online classes with live teachers and group or private sessions. Others aim to teach you Portuguese grammar and vocabulary. Some are self-paced courses with flexible scheduling and learning, while others have specific time slots you can book.
The Journey is a self-paced European Portuguese program with a defined structure. You can progress from chapter to chapter at your own pace and explore extra materials as you progress. However, we make sure that you never feel lost or alone.
Pricing
Pricing-wise, there is also much to consider. After all, you always want to look into the value the course will bring you versus the price you will pay for it. Review the format and length of the program, and check the level of support offered by the provider.
Besides, try to get a free trial to assess whether the program might fit your needs. The best online courses include an array of study materials, like video lessons, audio materials, and interactive exercises. Their teachers or creators should also be highly qualified and experienced.
At Portuguese With Carla, we offer you the chance to learn European Portuguese for less than 1 euro per day. You can choose between a monthly or annual subscription to The Journey. Plus, we offer you the first week as a trial so you can be sure the course is for you.
Immersion and Cultural Understanding
Some programs include a cultural component. This aspect is vital because it gives you insights into the people speaking your target language. For example, in The Journey, Portuguese culture is embedded in activities and videos as part of the course. You learn about the different regions and traditions, even exploring idioms and local accents.
The course also has listening comprehension exercises and pronunciation activities. We even have Live Practice Portuguese Sessions moderated by a native as an add-on. These authentic materials allow you to become familiar with the local culture and learn more about its history.
Consequently, you will not have to use language learning apps and other resources to immerse yourself in the language. Instead, you will find everything you need in one platform, available anytime and anywhere.
The AI Chat – A Unique Resource to Practice Portuguese
We have recently launched a new feature to complement The Journey – The AI Chat. With it, you can practice Portuguese anytime, anywhere, and for as long as you want. After opening the chat, you simply write your message.
Then, you will receive a message from our bot, trained specifically for European Portuguese. It will not only answer your original message but also give you insight into your performance. Additionally, it will correct any mistakes you might have made.
The AI Chat is only available for annual subscriptions to the course. It is an incredible tool to help you improve your writing and interpreting skills.
Online Classes and Tutoring
Classes are the foundation of traditional education methods. Today, they are still one of the most popular options for online students. Classes might be in person or through digital platforms, individual or in group settings.
Regardless, having a teacher with you allows you to get personalized feedback and support. Besides, someone with experience teaching Portuguese will easily detect areas you can improve. They might give you specific counsel and help you enhance your skills in subjects like grammar or vocabulary.
Despite these advantages, taking classes can become expensive and time-consuming. Moreover, finding a suitable tutor can be challenging. Your teacher should be ready to adapt the learning process to your goals and look for ways to help you grow. Thus, many prefer to take classes as a supplement. They use them to practice Portuguese with natives and other learners.
As mentioned above, The Journey offers Live Practice Portuguese sessions as an add-on. You can supplement your learning with weekly lessons moderated by a native speaker. There are different sessions to separate beginners from intermediate and advanced learners. In them, you approach specific pre-set topics that change each week. Through these lessons, you can develop your skills and make new friends.
Course Reviews and Ratings
Checking the reviews for the Portuguese courses you are considering can help you make an informed decision. You will see how others felt when using the platform and what kind of support they received. You will also have a better sense of the quality of the program. This way, you can evaluate its format and pricing and understand if it is a good match for you.
Reviews reflect the experience of your fellow learners. By assessing the amount and content of the ratings, you will get a better idea of what to expect from the program. For example, at Portuguese With Carla, we are proud to have a 4.9 rating on Trustpilot. We love receiving our students’ feedback and learning about their experience with The Journey.
For example, here are some of the latest reviews we received:
I love that it integrates speaking, listening, reading, and writing. I also love that it dives right in very unlike a textbook and any other program that I’ve tried (most feel like they take baby steps). So far, I really like it and I actually already find myself improving (especially when it comes to pronunciation) – Jill
“It felt like jumping straight into the deep end and there are no shortcuts.
It allows you to experience the language and culture right from the start and tackle your studies in a challenging way. – Segevon
I like how thorough the material is without being overwhelming. Learning a new language can feel stressful, but this format is relax. Again, I like your program. I wish I didn’t wait so long to use it after paying for the first year. – Helene
Many of our current members discovered us online. They might have come across our YouTube channel or our website. Nevertheless, most of them checked what other people thought about us before joining. They learned about our offerings and decided to give our program a go after seeing the positive results of others.
The Journey – Your European Portuguese Language Course Online
Learning Portuguese online can be a fun and rewarding experience. You can improve your language skills and cultural understanding with the right program and resources. When choosing a course, consider your language learning goals and level of proficiency.
Analyze your learning style and what you would value more in a course. For example, would you prefer online classes or bite-sized audio dialogues with activities? Do you want to focus on spoken Portuguese or enhance other skills, like reading and writing?
Look for courses with highly qualified teachers who have experience teaching Portuguese. Such is the case with Carla and Marlon, the brilliant minds behind Portuguese With Carla. They have extensive training and experience as teachers. Their focus on growth and development led them to create The Journey based on science-proven methods.
Today is World Portuguese Language Day, and we want to raise awareness of the value of learning Portuguese. Through this incredible language, you can access communities and cultures worldwide. Have you tried The Journey yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Click the button below to discover more about how to reach fluency in Portuguese!
Learn European Portuguese the Instinctive Way!
For the last decade, we’ve been working on putting together the best possible European Portuguese course. After much research, feedback from our students, and several iterations, we think we’ve got it! 😉
At the base of it all is a sound conviction that languages are better learned instinctively, so the process needs to be engaging, varied, and enjoyable. Throughout, we used scientifically proven techniques to help you master pronunciation, phrase construction, oral understanding, grammar, and all the necessary bits to get you to fluency. And still, the whole thing is presented as an adventure. It’s a course like no other. Click the button below to see for yourself!