I made the assumption that if I pronounced the Portuguese words like they were Spanish then I would be understood. Strangely, I was understood but the feeling wasn't mutual. I found the Portuguese accent impenetrable (same problem I have with Dutch), coming to the conclusion that I was actually talking to Poles or Estonians. Fortunately their English was considerably better than my Portuguese and I got by without problem, but the "Learn to Speak Portuguese" book was discarded.