COMPLETE PORTUGUESE COURSE

THE PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE: GATEWAY TO YOUR FUTURE

Welcome on behalf of the Portuguese Institute!

If you wish to learn Portuguese you are in right place. We have created the world's most Complete Portuguese Master Course to take you from absolute beginner to native speaker in 30 days. In this section you will find all the information and answers you need about learning Portuguese, such as: the best learning method, reasons to learn this language, the costs associated, the difficulty spikes to watch out for, how to improve your prior skills if you are stuck in a plateau, as well as the differences and similarities to other commonly spoken languages.

First of all you should know that Portuguese, known as "português" in its native form, is a language that stands out as one of the most influential Romance languages in the world. It belongs to the Indo-European language family, within the Romance branch, which ties it to languages such as Spanish, Italian, French, and Romanian. Unlike many of its linguistic relatives, Portuguese has been deeply shaped by historical contacts, incorporating influences from Arabic, African, and indigenous American languages, which contribute to its rich vocabulary and cultural diversity.

Portuguese is primarily spoken in Brazil and Portugal, where it is the official language, but it also has millions of speakers in countries such as Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor, as well as in diaspora communities worldwide. With approximately 260 million speakers, Portuguese is the sixth most spoken language globally and the third most spoken European language after English and Spanish.

Portuguese is an easy language to learn. It’s distinctive features can be found in its Vocabulary, Grammar and Pronunciation, which have evolved independently while incorporating influences from Turkish, German, Slavic, and Latin over centuries. The challenge with many learning methods is that they only take you part of the way. Mobile apps are fun and motivating, but they often stay on the surface, giving you basic vocabulary without real depth in grammar or conversation. Live courses offer great interaction with teachers but can be inflexible and expensive, making them difficult to sustain long term. University programs are academically rigorous, but they demand years of commitment and come with high living and tuition costs. Textbooks provide structure and clarity, but they lack immersion and often don't provide the practical information that learners actually need.

If you are serious about learning Portuguese, commit to a method that makes you actually speak the language. With the right system, you can go beyond memorised phrases and truly speak, read, and think in Portuguese. The journey is demanding, but the rewards — access to Portuguese news, cinema, music, history, personal connections and work opportunities — are immense. The time to start is now, with our Complete Portuguese Master Course that has been designed to give you nothing less than complete fluency.

NATURAL METHOD TO LEARN PORTUGUESE

Our language courses are based on the Natural Method, also known as the Natural Approach, developed by linguist Stephen Krashen and language educator Tracy Terrell. This approach focuses on creating an environment that mimics how individuals naturally acquire their first language, emphasizing comprehension, communication, and a stress-free learning experience.

While other language courses rely on rote memorization and drills, a heavy academic approach to grammar, repetitive exercises, expensive and time-consuming formal tutoring sessions or ineffective and shallow phone apps, we will have you gradually build your language skills like a child learning his/her mother tongue.

There are essentially 5 Core Principles in the Natural Method:

1. Comprehensible Input (i+1)
   Learners acquire a language when they are exposed to materials slightly beyond their current level of understanding (represented as i+1). By hearing or reading content they mostly understand, learners can gradually internalize new vocabulary and grammar structures.

2. Focus on Communication
   The Natural Method prioritizes fluency and the ability to communicate over grammatical perfection. Errors are seen as a natural part of the learning process and are not heavily penalised, reducing anxiety and encouraging learners to express themselves.

3. Emotional Element
   Emotional factors like anxiety, motivation and enjoyment greatly influence language acquisition. When learners are in a relaxed state, achieved by removing the anxiety linked to the pressure to produce perfect grammar, it is easier for them to get through the initial phase which is arguably the hardest and where most give up. It is also proven to be easier for the brain to absorb and retain new information if the learner is actually interested in the language and its underlying culture, which is why he have included extensive cultural insights, historical and modern pop culture elements in our language course.

4. Stages of Language Acquisition
   Scholars have identified the following stages in the language acquisition process of young children:

   • Pre-production: The "silent period," where learners focus on listening and understanding without speaking.

   • Early Production: Learners begin using simple words and phrases.

   • Speech Emergence: Learners can construct longer sentences and express ideas more freely.

   • Intermediate Fluency: Learners develop more complex language skills and can engage in meaningful conversations.

   • Advanced Fluency: Learners achieve near-native proficiency.

     The goal of our courses is thus to mimic the natural language acquisition process without overwhelming the learner with long and tedious lessons but ensuring gradual gains so that he/she remains committed to his/her fluency goal. 

5. Meaningful Interaction
   Instead of rote memorization of single words and grammar rules over and over, the Natural Method encourages activities that involve real-world communication to help retain information. This is why we have included storytelling and role-playing scenarios that simulate everyday situations, with exercises that allow the learner to understand his/her current level and thus improve upon specific elements.

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

If you are serious about learning Portuguese, we recommend that you download the Complete Portuguese Master Course.

You will receive all the information available on the website in a convenient portable digital format as well as additional contents: over 15.000 Vocabulary Words and Useful Phrases, in-depth explanations and exercises for all Grammar Rules, exclusive articles with Cultural Insights that you won't in any other textbook so you can amaze your Brazilian and Portuguese friends thanks to your knowledge of their countries and history.

With a one-time purchase you will also get hours of Podcasts to Practice your Portuguese listening skills as well as Dialogues with Exercises to achieve your own Master Certificate.

Start speaking Portuguese today!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The top 5 reasons to learn the Portuguese language are:

1. It's Fun! Join a Unique Club
   Portuguese is a vibrant and melodic language that opens the door to a rich world of sounds, expressions, and cultural traditions. As a Romance language, it shares roots with Spanish, Italian, and French, making it easier for learners of those languages while still offering its own unique charm. With over 260 million speakers worldwide, Portuguese is spoken across four continents, connecting you to a global community that spans Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia.

2. Gain a Deeper Understanding of Global History and Culture
   Learning Portuguese gives you insight into the history of exploration, trade, and cultural exchange. Portugal was one of the great seafaring nations of the Age of Discovery, leaving a lasting influence in Brazil, Africa, and Asia. From the poetry of Luís de Camões to Brazilian samba and fado music, Portuguese culture is incredibly diverse. By studying the language, you unlock access to centuries of literature, art, and traditions that have shaped the modern world.

3. Portuguese Speakers Appreciate Your Effort
   Portuguese-speaking communities take pride in their language, and locals in Portugal, Brazil, Angola, and beyond are delighted when foreigners make the effort to communicate with them in their own tongue. A simple “Obrigado” (thank you) or “Olá” (hello) can go a long way in building friendships and deepening connections with people who warmly welcome learners.

4. Business Opportunities in Emerging and Established Markets
   Portuguese is the official language of several rapidly growing economies, including Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique, as well as Portugal itself, a member of the European Union. Brazil, with its large market and rich natural resources, is a major player in global trade. Learning Portuguese can give you a competitive edge when building partnerships, navigating negotiations, and connecting with local markets across multiple continents.

5. Travel Experiences You’ll Never Forget
   Portuguese unlocks unforgettable travel experiences. Explore the historic streets of Lisbon, the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, the Amazon rainforest, the wine valleys of Portugal, or the vibrant culture of Angola and Mozambique. Whether you’re wandering through medieval towns, enjoying Brazilian festivals, or relaxing along Portugal’s Algarve coast, speaking the language will transform your travels into authentic cultural experiences.

Why learn Portuguese?

How much does it cost to learn Portuguese?

Portuguese Mobile Apps

Mobile apps have become one of the most popular entry points for learning Portuguese in recent years, especially among young people, due to their accessibility on phones. These apps allow learners to repeat basic vocabulary on the go, through gamified systems that aim to keep learners engaged to sell them as many ads as possible. No one has ever really become fluent in Hungarian by using these apps but they can make daily studying more approachable, especially for people that are not completely sure if they want to commit to a more comprehensive language course.

Costs:
Many apps (e.g., Duolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, Rosetta Stone) use paid monthly subscriptions averaging $20/month without ads or one life-time purchase for $200-$600.

Pros:

• Self-paced content great for daily bite-sized repetition.

• Fun language based games with flashy animations.

• Good for absolute beginners to decide if interested.

Cons:

• Quality and depth are overall quite low.

• Subscription costs can accumulate quickly unless you opt for a lifetime deal.

• Gamification makes it seem like you are progressing when you actually aren't.

Portuguese Textbooks

Textbooks are a cost-effective and time tested resource for studying Portuguese, or any language for that matter, just like when you were at school. Their adoption in academic settings has brought a lot of needless information into these books which on the contrary should be strictly practical. Textbooks offer a fixed progression with lots of grammatical terms and scholarly explanations that risks making the learning process feel like a chore. As with mobile apps, it is impossible to actually become fluent in the Portuguese language with one single textbook, due to the lack of real life practice and interactivity, which is why even the most diligent learners only achieve a basic language level. 

Costs:

Text-only textbooks cost around $20-$35 per volume. These usually include grammar explanations, vocabulary lists and exercises but do not provide any listening material. Textbooks with good quality accompanying audio resources are available for about $50-$60.

Pros:

• One-time cost, no ongoing fees.

• Textbooks with audio build solid grammar and listening comprehension.

• Ideal for structured, self-paced study.

Cons:

• Audio may be outdated or limited (if included at all).

• Less interactive, needs self-discipline.

• Might lack cultural/contextual immersion.

Studying Portuguese at a University

University programs provide the most academically rigorous and comprehensive Portuguese training. You will become fluent if you attend the courses and get a degree. These courses require many years of commitment and are best suited for those pursuing careers directly connected to the knowledge of the Portuguese language like translators or teachers, which given the current state of the market might not be the wisest career choices, especially since you will be competing with native speakers that do not require any formal training to speak their mother tongue. 

Costs:
Tuition for foreign students in Brazil is US $2,000–US $3,500/semester depending on the university. Monthly living expenses range from $700 to $1000, especially in cities like Rio. Rent for a shared student apartment can cost between $400 and $600 per month, while food and groceries average around $200–$300. Public transport passes for students are relatively inexpensive, typically $10–$15 per month. While tuition fees in Brazil are lower than in many Western European countries, the total yearly cost can range from €9,000 to €12,000, depending on location and lifestyle.

Pros:

• Deep, structured academic immersion.

• Degree qualification or recognised certifications.

• Full immersion thanks to real Portuguese speakers and situations that require language use.

Cons:

• Time-intensive and long-term commitment with limited professional opportunities compared to other degrees.

• Costs of living in Brazil add up quickly.

• Difficult to find Portuguese university courses outside of Brazil and Portugal.

Online Portuguese Courses

Online courses represent the most time and cost effective solution, with a personalised and immersive approach to language learning, thanks to structured lessons guided by professional teachers. When taken online these classes allow students to interact with their teachers in real time, providing opportunities for conversation practice, immediate feedback and progress tracking. Online courses come with three major downsides due to the extremely high costs of private tuition especially for beginners, varying teaching quality that depends on the individual teacher's experience and the fact that they don't allow the flexibility of other significantly cheaper self-study alternatives.

Costs:
Average Portuguese 10-week course online with 3-5 live sessions costs US $600-$1,000/month

Private Tutors (available on Preply or Italki) cost US $10–$100 per hour, depending on the teacher’s qualifications

Pros:

• Highly interactive with real-time feedback.

• Customization, especially with one-on-one sessions.

• Accountability and access to experienced teachers.

Cons:

• Very expensive with no guarantee of success.

• Lower flexibility compared to mobile apps or self-study since it depends on teacher's schedule.

• Teaching quality may vary greatly between tutors.

How difficult is Portuguese?

The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the United States Department of State classifies Portuguese as a Category I language, meaning it is among the easiest languages for native English speakers to learn, alongside Spanish and Italian.

Several factors contribute to the relative ease of learning Portuguese for English speakers:

1. Familiar Vocabulary – As a Romance language, Portuguese shares many cognates (similar words) with English, often through Latin or French. For example:

   • Animal (animal) – identical to English

   • Família (family) – very close to “family”

   • Importante (important) – easily recognizable

2. Regular Grammar – While Portuguese has verb conjugations and gendered nouns, its grammatical system is more regular and predictable compared to many non-Romance languages. Learners benefit from consistent patterns that reduce memorization.

3. Clear Pronunciation Rules – Although Portuguese has sounds that may be new for English speakers, such as nasal vowels (ão, õe), it follows systematic spelling rules. Once learners master the pronunciation patterns, reading and speaking become much more intuitive.

4. Shared Structure with Other Romance Languages – If you already know some Spanish, Italian, or French, Portuguese will feel familiar. Many sentence structures and expressions follow the same logic, making it easier to understand and acquire.

Our Portuguese language course is designed to maximize your learning efficiency, helping you achieve conversational fluency in just 30 days. Instead of overloading you with complex grammar, our method introduces you to the most useful vocabulary and expressions first, ensuring that you can communicate in real-life situations from day one.

Why can't I improve in Portuguese?

One of the biggest advantages of learning Portuguese is that, unlike many less commonly studied languages, there is already a wealth of comprehensive resources available for learners at all levels. From beginner textbooks and mobile apps to advanced grammar guides, online courses, and podcasts, Portuguese enjoys widespread support thanks to its global presence. This abundance of material makes it easier for learners to progress steadily from beginner to intermediate and advanced stages without feeling “stuck.”

Another important factor is the global spread of Portuguese culture. Through music, film, and television, Portuguese has gained an international profile. Brazilian media in particular—such as telenovelas, samba, and bossa nova—reaches audiences worldwide, while Portugal contributes its own literary and cinematic traditions. This cultural export provides learners with countless opportunities for immersion through pop culture, much like Spanish or French.

Unlike languages that are geographically restricted, Portuguese is spoken across four continents—Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia. With over 260 million speakers, it offers not only a large community of native speakers but also varied opportunities for practice, travel, and professional use. From Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro, from Maputo to Luanda, and even in Macau or East Timor, Portuguese connects you with diverse societies and real-world language experiences.

We recognize that having access to high-quality Portuguese learning resources is essential for reaching fluency, and our goal is to make the learning journey even easier by offering structured, engaging content that bridges every stage of your progress.

If you have any suggestions for future lessons or articles, feel free to send them to pr@portugueseinstitute.com — we’d love to hear from you and create content that fits your learning needs!

Should I learn Portuguese, Spanish or Italian?

Choosing between Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian really depends on your goals, but if you are looking for the most versatile and rewarding option, Portuguese clearly stands out. With around 260 million speakers worldwide, it is the sixth most spoken language on the planet and the official language of not just Portugal and Brazil, but also several African nations, as well as East Timor and Macau. This means that Portuguese connects you to four continents—Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia—something neither Spanish nor Italian can match.

Spanish is undeniably widespread, with over 500 million speakers, but it is heavily concentrated in Latin America and Spain, which limits the cultural range compared to Portuguese. Spanish and Portuguese are also very close linguistically, so knowing Portuguese gives you passive access to Spanish, making it easier to understand and even communicate with Spanish speakers when needed. In this sense, Portuguese offers you a “two-for-one” advantage, opening the door to both Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking worlds.

Italian, while beautiful and culturally rich, is spoken by only around 70 million people, mainly in Italy. It’s a fantastic choice for art, literature, and travel enthusiasts, but its practical use on a global scale is far more limited. By comparison, Portuguese not only brings you into contact with Italy’s Latin cousin but also provides far more opportunities in international business, travel, and cultural exchange.

So If your goal is to enjoy music, literature, cinema, and traditions that span from Brazilian samba and bossa nova to Portuguese fado and African Lusophone culture, Portuguese gives you that richness. And because it is so close to Spanish and shares many similarities with Italian, learning Portuguese first allows you to expand into the other Romance languages much more easily.

In the end, while Spanish offers numbers and Italian offers charm, Portuguese gives you both reach and diversity, making it the smartest and most rewarding choice for learners who want both practicality and cultural depth.

Is Portuguese similar to other languages?

Portuguese belongs to the Romance branch of the Indo-European language family, which also includes Spanish, Italian, French, and Romanian. Although Portuguese retains its Latin roots, centuries of contact with other cultures and languages have introduced a significant number of loanwords into its vocabulary. This makes it part of a broad family of languages spread across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Portuguese has borrowed from:

Arabic – During the Moorish presence in the Iberian Peninsula, thousands of Arabic words entered Portuguese, especially in agriculture, architecture, and science.

• Açúcar (sugar) – from Arabic as-sukkar

• Arroz (rice) – from Arabic ar-ruzz

Indigenous American languages (Tupi-Guarani and others) – In Brazil, contact with native peoples added many words for plants, animals, and cultural concepts.

• Abacaxi (pineapple) – from Tupi ibá cati

• Piranha (piranha fish) – from Tupi pirá añá

African languages (especially Kimbundu and Yoruba) – The Atlantic slave trade brought African linguistic influence into Brazilian Portuguese.

• Moleque (boy, kid) – from Kimbundu muleke

• Dendê (palm oil) – from Kimbundu ndendé

French – Particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, French contributed words related to culture, fashion, and the arts.

• Garçon (waiter) – from French garçon

• Maquiagem (make-up) – from French maquillage

English – In modern times, English has provided many terms in business, technology, and pop culture.

• Computador (computer) – from English computer

• Futebol (football, soccer) – from English football

These are just a small sample of the hundreds of words in Portuguese that come from English, French, Italian, Arabic, Tupi, Bantu, Greek, Latin, Nahuatl, Turkish, Persian, Hindi, Taino and other languages. Check out our article dedicated page for the full collection of Portuguese loanwords, grouped by language source, and discover how much of the language you already understand without realizing it.

How to become fluent in Portuguese?

These are 5 proven methods that we have developed as language learners (not only as teachers!) that will help you achieve complete mastery of any language:

• 1. Immerse Yourself Completely

  • Surround Yourself: Change the language of your phone, computer, tv, console, news sources, radio stations, song playlists and streaming apps to the language you want to learn.

  • Engaging Content: Listen to native music, watch original movies, learn about the culture and history of the country on Youtube. This will help you stay motivated and reduce the initial frustration.

  • Make Mistakes: Travel to the country where the language is spoken and don't be afraid to engage with the locals. People will be amazed at your efforts to learn their language.

  2. Focus on the Most Useful Words and Phrases

  • Study Efficiency: Learn the top 2,000 words in the language, as they often cover 80-90% of everyday conversations. Learning takes time but that doesn't mean it has to take very long to see results.

  • Real Conversations: Start by practising with common phrases you'll actually use in real-life situations, like greetings, ordering food, asking for directions, etc.

  3. Use Memorization Techniques 

  • Spaced Repetition: Our Courses are based on spaced spaced repetition systems (SRS) to help you memorize words and grammar in the long term and with miminal effort by showing them to you in progression.

  • Mnemonic Devices: trick your brain and speed up the learning process by trying to think of an example or "story" for each new word / expression you struggle to remember.

  4. Learn the Language based on the Context

  • Practice Makes Perfect: Remember that your grammar doesn't have to be perfect as long as you can be understood! There is no shame in using simple phrases to get you point across.

  • Shadowing Technique: Repeat in your head after native speakers in real-time while listening or watching videos with original subtitles to improve your comprehension. 

  5. Consistency is Everything

  • Daily Practice: Even just 30 minutes a day is more effective than sporadic, long day study sessions. Take breaks often when reading and always have fun to increase productivity.

  • Compound Results: Small, achievable goals like reading 5 pages daily, or even just watching a movie or playing a videogame every evening produce results over time if you don't see them immediately.

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

If you are serious about learning Portuguese, we recommend that you download the Complete Portuguese Master Course.

You will receive all the information available on the website in a convenient portable digital format as well as additional contents: over 15.000 Vocabulary Words and Useful Phrases, in-depth explanations and exercises for all Grammar Rules, exclusive articles with Cultural Insights that you won't in any other textbook so you can amaze your Brazilian and Portuguese friends thanks to your knowledge of their countries and history.

With a one-time purchase you will also get hours of Podcasts to Practice your Portuguese listening skills as well as Dialogues with Exercises to achieve your own Master Certificate.

Start speaking Portuguese today!