Jul 21, 2023·edited Jul 21, 2023Liked by Scott H-K, Amy Redfield
Thank you for pouncing on the information that "everybody speaks English." EVERYONE who speaks a foreign language does so on a unique level of understanding, confidence, and vocabulary and accuracy.
I had major surgery. The surgeon trained for years at the Mayo Clinic. As near "flawless" as his English is, there were still misunderstandings and times when things needed to be clarified, repeated numerous times, or said in a different way.
Almost forgot. We always answer the telephone, or door chime with "hello" instead of ola. It immediately tells the person they are dealing with an estrangero. It is a little rude, but it defines our relationship, and kind of gives them responsibility for my communication short-comings.
That's a good point about the difference between understanding and comprehension. I may be able to (and often can) understand all of the words someone is speaking to me but the way they are strung together doesn't always make sense. So clarification, repetition, rephrasing are all important.
I had to laugh when you wrote about phone phobia. We drove all the way back to the Worten where we bought our washer and dryer to make sure we had purchased a self venting dryer. Despite over a year of Duolingo and Memrise, I was too afraid to call to get the info. It turned out fine and I was able to fill out our warrantees completely in Portuguese. I know I can read it. But I’m petrified to actually speak it. Our classes at the local high school start in September!
Oh! Phone phobia!!! We don't even have voicemail on our MEO phones because you can't set it up without understanding the prompts that are unintelligible no matter how much Portuguese we learn.
When I was young, back in the Stone Age, I had a facility for languages and could learn them quickly. I studied French and Spanish. I aced all my Latin classes in high school. Now I can barely speak any of them and am often groping for a word in English (as are my friends), and the thought of having to learn a new tongue is absolutely frightening. Glad you finally got into the right classes, found the right tutors, etc. Speaking is one thing, understanding is another. Keep at it!
Oh yes, that one guy on Memrise absolutely looks like Droopy Dog. Memrise just released a major revamp of the lessons and the same guy now has the opportunity to look happy most of the time.
You should try learning the myriad varieties of Madeirense Portuguese, mixed with the Madeira / Venezuela accent sported by no short of 20% of the island's population!!! It's been super interesting and fun, but it also makes us feel like whatever progress we make is miraculous, so celebrate! :-) Bravo to you guys for giving it a go!
I noticed on our trip to Porto and the north generally that some words sounded different. I can only imagine what living on an island can do for the evolution of a language. It's fascinating.
Congratulations on all the progress you've made so far and here's to more to come!
This is so timely! I want to work on Portuguese in advance of our move, but trying to figure out the best use of time & money. I reached out to one tutor and the rate was much higher than I anticipated. Not living in country where I can practice makes me think it’s best to save that investment for after the move. Looks like you can join Speak as a remote/online learner? I’m also looking into paid app options and Michel Thomas system. Hope you enjoy the class and it’s beneficial!
Personally, I think the best use of your time & money is whatever will keep you motivated to continue. If you haven't already done so, taking a few minutes to try and determine what you need might help point you in the best direction. Some questions to consider:
Are you motivated enough to log into an app and/or watch videos every day when nobody will hold you accountable if you don't?
Do you want to be able to ask questions? If so, do you want them answered in real time or would you be OK if the answers took hours or days to arrive?
Do you want to learn grammar before vocabulary? The other way round? Doesn't matter?
Do you want your practice to be gamified and/or have some way to measure your progress quantitatively?
How will you know if you are improving?
Are you most interested in listening? Speaking? Writing? Reading? All of the above?
How much time are you able and willing to devote on a weekly basis?
How much structure do you need?
How much are you willing to pay?
I'm sure there are more that might apply to you; those are just the ones I can think of quickly.
Speak can be accessed remotely, yes. Many of the sessions are offered exclusively online. The one I am in now has several participants from Lisboa (we're all meeting up tomorrow in person!), and also from a town near Braga, Porto, Mexico, and the US.
There are so many options, some of which are great for some and terrible for others. I'm happy to talk more about this if you think it would be helpful. Use the "Drop us a line" page to reach out directly!
Thank you for pouncing on the information that "everybody speaks English." EVERYONE who speaks a foreign language does so on a unique level of understanding, confidence, and vocabulary and accuracy.
I had major surgery. The surgeon trained for years at the Mayo Clinic. As near "flawless" as his English is, there were still misunderstandings and times when things needed to be clarified, repeated numerous times, or said in a different way.
Almost forgot. We always answer the telephone, or door chime with "hello" instead of ola. It immediately tells the person they are dealing with an estrangero. It is a little rude, but it defines our relationship, and kind of gives them responsibility for my communication short-comings.
That's a good point about the difference between understanding and comprehension. I may be able to (and often can) understand all of the words someone is speaking to me but the way they are strung together doesn't always make sense. So clarification, repetition, rephrasing are all important.
I had to laugh when you wrote about phone phobia. We drove all the way back to the Worten where we bought our washer and dryer to make sure we had purchased a self venting dryer. Despite over a year of Duolingo and Memrise, I was too afraid to call to get the info. It turned out fine and I was able to fill out our warrantees completely in Portuguese. I know I can read it. But I’m petrified to actually speak it. Our classes at the local high school start in September!
Oh! Phone phobia!!! We don't even have voicemail on our MEO phones because you can't set it up without understanding the prompts that are unintelligible no matter how much Portuguese we learn.
It's amazing how the prompts remain a total mystery.
Driving back to Worten absolutely sounds like something I'd do.
Where are your classes? Maybe we're at the same school! :-D Boa sorte!
Our class is at the secondary school in VRSA. Boa Noite!
Good luck! ☘
Obrigado!
Very best of luck or...boa sorte :)
Obrigada!
We took the free language class in VRSA and are very glad we did. https://expatinportugal.substack.com/p/schools-out-for-summer
Yes, we are hoping our experience is more similar to yours than to some of the others we have heard about.
Good luck guys! I use Memrise as well. I hope to continue to brush up on my speaking skills.
Thanks, Armando. Boa sorte to you as well.
When I was young, back in the Stone Age, I had a facility for languages and could learn them quickly. I studied French and Spanish. I aced all my Latin classes in high school. Now I can barely speak any of them and am often groping for a word in English (as are my friends), and the thought of having to learn a new tongue is absolutely frightening. Glad you finally got into the right classes, found the right tutors, etc. Speaking is one thing, understanding is another. Keep at it!
Still too soon to tell if it's the right class but we're hopeful. And we certainly intend to keep at it! Thanks for the encouragement!
Oh yes, that one guy on Memrise absolutely looks like Droopy Dog. Memrise just released a major revamp of the lessons and the same guy now has the opportunity to look happy most of the time.
You know Mr. Triste?! (Or, as I first came to know him, Senhor Nariz.)
I paid for a lifetime membership which is gathering dust. I'm not sure I've seen this revamp of which you speak. I will check it out posthaste!
Senhor Nariz's facial expressions are memorable.
That they are, yes.
You should try learning the myriad varieties of Madeirense Portuguese, mixed with the Madeira / Venezuela accent sported by no short of 20% of the island's population!!! It's been super interesting and fun, but it also makes us feel like whatever progress we make is miraculous, so celebrate! :-) Bravo to you guys for giving it a go!
That does sound like fun, #nonotreally.
I noticed on our trip to Porto and the north generally that some words sounded different. I can only imagine what living on an island can do for the evolution of a language. It's fascinating.
Congratulations on all the progress you've made so far and here's to more to come!
This is so timely! I want to work on Portuguese in advance of our move, but trying to figure out the best use of time & money. I reached out to one tutor and the rate was much higher than I anticipated. Not living in country where I can practice makes me think it’s best to save that investment for after the move. Looks like you can join Speak as a remote/online learner? I’m also looking into paid app options and Michel Thomas system. Hope you enjoy the class and it’s beneficial!
Glad it's timely for you!
Personally, I think the best use of your time & money is whatever will keep you motivated to continue. If you haven't already done so, taking a few minutes to try and determine what you need might help point you in the best direction. Some questions to consider:
Are you motivated enough to log into an app and/or watch videos every day when nobody will hold you accountable if you don't?
Do you want to be able to ask questions? If so, do you want them answered in real time or would you be OK if the answers took hours or days to arrive?
Do you want to learn grammar before vocabulary? The other way round? Doesn't matter?
Do you want your practice to be gamified and/or have some way to measure your progress quantitatively?
How will you know if you are improving?
Are you most interested in listening? Speaking? Writing? Reading? All of the above?
How much time are you able and willing to devote on a weekly basis?
How much structure do you need?
How much are you willing to pay?
I'm sure there are more that might apply to you; those are just the ones I can think of quickly.
Speak can be accessed remotely, yes. Many of the sessions are offered exclusively online. The one I am in now has several participants from Lisboa (we're all meeting up tomorrow in person!), and also from a town near Braga, Porto, Mexico, and the US.
There are so many options, some of which are great for some and terrible for others. I'm happy to talk more about this if you think it would be helpful. Use the "Drop us a line" page to reach out directly!
This is fascinating! You should both be patting yourselves on the back repeatedly for taking on this cool challenge in creative ways.
Thanks, Moira!