Unlock a world of opportunity with Portuguese
Thinking of learning a new language? With over 285 million speakers worldwide, Portuguese offers a wealth of opportunities for professional growth, global travel, and personal enrichment. While many consider learning Spanish, the benefits of learning Portuguese, especially here in the UK, are often overlooked.
At City Lit, our expert tutors will guide you from beginner to fluent, whether you prefer to learn in London or online. Read on to discover the many reasons why Portuguese could be your next language-learning journey.
The global language for your career
As the world’s sixth most spoken language, Portuguese is a gateway to booming economies and new career paths.
- Access emerging markets: Brazil has one of the world's largest economies, offering career opportunities in finance, energy, and agriculture.
- A competitive edge: In a job market crowded with Spanish and French speakers, proficiency in Portuguese can help your CV stand out.
- Opportunities in international organizations: Language skills are valued by global organizations like the European Union and the African Union, where Portuguese is an official language.
Despite the large number of native speakers, few people choose to learn Portuguese as a second language. Give yourself an edge – language skills are a great way to set yourself apart. By learning Portuguese, you could bolster your CV and improve your job prospects.
With Portuguese on your CV, you're more eligible for jobs in international organizations such as the European Union, the World Health Organization, the African Union, the Organization of American States, MERCOSUL and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.
Learning a new language also demonstrates a willingness to learn and adapt, which can be valuable traits in any job. It can also indicate cultural awareness and sensitivity, which is particularly important in today's globalised economy.
Beyond the professional benefits, learning Portuguese opens doors to unforgettable adventures and cultural immersion.
Expand and enhance your travel experiences
Portuguese is the primary and official language spoken in popular tourist destinations like Portugal and Brazil, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, East Timor, and Angola. When traveling in any of these countries knowing Portuguese can help you connect with locals, navigate around these countries and appreciate their diverse cultures. A few phrases can lead to more meaningful conversations and a warmer welcome from locals.
Engage with a rich culture
Learning a new language is an invitation to understand the nuances of a new culture. Portuguese has a wide range of regional dialects, which add to its diversity and cultural richness.
Knowing Portuguese can open doors to not only one but several diverse and vibrant cultures, encompassing literature, films, music, history, artistic and culinary traditions of the Portuguese-speaking world across four continents.
Imagine how lovely it would be to sing Mariza’s fados and read Mia Couto in the original language.
Video: Portuguese artist, Mariza sings Maria Lisboa Live.
Boost your brain health with Portuguese
Learning a new language is a proven way to improve cognitive functions and overall mental wellness. The mental exercise involved in language acquisition helps improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
A gateway to other languages
Portuguese and Spanish can be very similar. The two languages overlap in grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.
Compare the following sentences—roughly equivalent to the English proverb "A word to the wise is sufficient," or, a more literal translation, "To a good listener, a few words are enough.":
Al buen entendedor pocas palabras bastan
(Spanish pronunciation: [al ˈβwen entendeˈðoɾ ˈpokas paˈlaβɾaz ˈβastan])
Ao bom entendedor poucas palavras bastam
(European Portuguese pronunciation: [aw ˈβõ ẽtẽdɨˈðoɾ ˈpo(w)kɐʃ pɐˈlavɾɐʃ ˈβaʃtɐ̃w̃])
(Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: [aw ˈbõ ĩtẽdeˈdo(r) ˈpo(w)kɐs paˈlavɾɐz ˈbastɐ̃w]).
Image: The Romance Language Family Tree
If you already speak another Romance language, like Spanish, French or Italian, you don’t have to start from scratch and can learn it much faster. City Lit offers a unique course for you if you already speak a Romance language.
Portuguese is a truly beautiful language
Portuguese is a very melodious language, and musicians go as far as to say that Portuguese is the best language for music. After all, it is the language of bossa nova, samba, fado and morna.
The Brazilian author and songwriter Chico Buarque performed the remarkable feat of squeezing the 7-syllable word paralelepípedo (cobblestone) into his samba song Vai Passar.
Learn untranslatable words like saudade, master the pronunciation of the strange sound –ão, as in instrução (instruction), opinião (opinion) and fascinação (fascination) and the words avô (grandfather) and avó (grandmother).
Which Portuguese should you learn: Brazilian or European?
This is a common question. Brazilian and European Portuguese differ in significantly in grammar and pronunciation, but the most striking contrast is the vocabulary.
| English | Brazilian Portuguese | European Portuguese |
| mobile phone | celular | telemóvel |
| bus | ônibus | autocarro |
| train | trem | comboio |
| tram | bonde | elétrico |
| ice-cream | sorvete | gelado |
| surname | sobrenome | apelido |
| suit | terno | fato |
Table above: Examples of the difference in vocabulary between Brazilian and European Portuguese.
Sometimes these differences can be quite amusing and even baffle native Portugues speakers. For example, cueca means men’s underwear in Brazil, but women’s underwear in Portugal.
So which to choose? Well, your choice often depends on your motivation. But here are some reasons you might want to explore.
Why choose Brazilian Portuguese?
Easier pronunciation for beginners: Known for its open vowels and melodic flow, many find Brazilian Portuguese easier to understand and pronounce initially.
More widely spoken: With over 200 million native speakers, Brazilian Portuguese is the more common dialect.
A gateway to vibrant culture: Immerse yourself in the world of samba, bossa nova, and lively Brazilian culture.
Why choose European Portuguese?
The original dialect: If your goal is to study in Portugal or read classic Portuguese literature, this is the version for you.
A wider scope of understanding: Mastering European Portuguese can make it easier to understand the language as spoken in other Portuguese-speaking countries, including parts of Africa and Asia.
Your journey starts with City Lit
Ready to start your Portuguese learning adventure? City Lit offers flexible options to fit your lifestyle:
- In-person classes in London: Learn in our supportive and dynamic London campus, ideal for those who thrive in a physical classroom.
- Live online classes: Study from the comfort of your home with our interactive, tutor-led online sessions.
- Small group classes: Our small class sizes ensure you get personalised attention and form a vibrant community with other learners.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How quickly can someone become conversational in Portuguese?
A: Progress depends on factors such as time commitment and previous language experience. Consistent practice and a structured course can help achieve conversational fluency in a few months.
Q: What resources are available to help with learning?
A: City Lit courses provide expert guidance. Learning can be supplemented with apps, podcasts, movies, and music. A varied approach is recommended for maximum retention.
Q: Is it really easier to learn if someone already knows Spanish?
A: Yes, the high lexical similarity between Spanish and Portuguese means many words and grammatical structures will be recognised, which can accelerate learning.
Q: Can someone learn both Brazilian and European Portuguese?
A: Yes, but it is best to choose one to focus on initially. Learning the other becomes significantly easier after gaining a strong grasp of one.
Learn Portuguese online & in London
Enrol now and join the global Portuguese-speaking community!
Whether you're a beginner or want to improve your language skills, City Lit offers varied daytime and evening courses in-person and online. Portuguese language learning courses are delivered through a communicative approach with an emphasis on speaking and listening skills through interactive classroom-based learning.
References
https://observalinguaportuguesa.org/dados-estatisticos-informacoes/
https://www.dicio.com.br/portugues-de-portugal-e-a-diferenca-com-o-portugues-do-brasil/
