International Schools in Coimbra

[Mr.Blueskies]

Hi JohnBoy,

Just google Rosetta Stone and portuguese.

[jellybean]

Hi Aisling. We also moved here from Ireland and it's been the best move we've ever made. Love it here! I have a 14yr old who goes to the international school in Marinha Grande and is doing very well there. Yes, all the lessons are taught in English but most of the children are Portuguese and therefore speak Portuguese in their break times so my daughter is already picking up the language very well.

We bought a book with accompanying double CD online before we came which only cost about £25.00 and it gave us a good grounding and I would have no problems recommending it. It covers both the Brazilian and European variants in grammar and pronounciation. Send me a private message if you'd like more info! Also, we have not installed Sky for British TV and watch Portuguese TV as much as possible. We have only been here for 6 months and can already follow the plot in soap operas. We also practise as much as possible when out and about which helps. The Portuguese do appreciate that the language is difficult so I've found them to be very patient and helpful when we are trying to express ourselves! Our neighbours are great too and always chat to us when we're out walking the dog or in the shops.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you also find your move to Portugal to be everything you hoped it would be! I've never been happier )

[Aisling]

Thank you thats a great help Ill be in touch by a private message over the weekend, still trying to figure out how to do things on this Im not too sure but will have route around over the weekend.

Aisling

[JohnBoy]

Originally Posted by Mr.Blueskies

Hi JohnBoy,

Just google Rosetta Stone and portuguese.

Many thanks for that MrBlueskies.

[John999]

If you have to travel from Coimbra to Marinha Grande Twice a day “there and back” you will be doing a few hundred miles a day. Make sure before you make your decision, “where to move”, you are a where of all the consequences
John999

[JohnBoy]

Originally Posted by Mr.Blueskies

Hi JohnBoy,

Just google Rosetta Stone and portuguese.

MrBlueskies - The only Rosetta Stone course I can locate is for Brazilian Portuguese. Do you know differently please?

Can anyone tell me if learning Brazilian Portuguese would pose any problems? Are the two so different? For example I understand that some words in general use in Spain are considered offensive in Spanish speaking South American countries.

[jellybean]

Originally Posted by JohnBoy

MrBlueskies - The only Rosetta Stone course I can locate is for Brazilian Portuguese. Do you know differently please?

Can anyone tell me if learning Brazilian Portuguese would pose any problems? Are the two so different? For example I understand that some words in general use in Spain are considered offensive in Spanish speaking South American countries.

John, the difference is mainly in the grammar -

For example to say 'I am speaking' in Portugal you say 'Estou a falar' whereas in Brazil you would say 'Estou falando' .

Also, in Portugal they use 2 different words for 'you' which are

tu - for friends and family or

você - for those you are less familiar with. In Brazil they use você for everyone.

Then of course the verb endings change depending on whether you use tu or você e.g.

I spoke is either - tu falaste or você falou!!!

Also in Portugal they use the article infront of names and pronouns e.g.

Estou a falar com o John (I am speaking with John)

In Brazil this would be Estou falando com John.

Also, I am speaking with my mother in Portugal is

Estou a falar com a minha mãe

In Brazil is Estou falando com minha mãe

Also some words are different. The same way some American English words are different from UK English words e.g pants / trousers, candy / sweets etc.

In short, yes there are differences and if you learn Brazilian Portuguese you will still be understood - but you might not be able to understand THEM in return! So I think if you are coming to Portugal to live, you might as well learn how to speak the language the way it is spoken here - which is more complicated of course!

[JohnBoy]

Thanks Jelleybean. Reasons enough there to persevere with the national version. I do find learning a language very difficult and none more so than Portuguese. In the past I have been described as lazy but that is easy to say for someone who finds languages easy. I do not and my age is no help either.

Thanks for your input and my apologies to Aisling for the slight thread drift.

[jellybean]

Originally Posted by JohnBoy

Thanks Jelleybean. Reasons enough there to persevere with the national version. I do find learning a language very difficult and none more so than Portuguese. In the past I have been described as lazy but that is easy to say for someone who finds languages easy. I do not and my age is no help either.

Thanks for your input and my apologies to Aisling for the slight thread drift.

De nada, Johnboy!

The pronounciation is different between Brazilian and European too so there's another reason! I used to find languages easy at school but now that I'm in my 40s it's a whole different ball game! My memory is completely shot and I find myself forgetting something I'd learnt just minutes before which is very frustrating! Still, I'm enjoying the challenge and feel I'm making progress!

Definitely try 'Teach Yourself Portuguese' by Manuela Cook - the book and the double CD. It's only about £25.00, and I found it easy to follow and great for beginners. It's available on Amazon and you can read other people's reviews too.

Boa sorte! (Good luck!)

[Mr.Blueskies]

Hi JohnBoy,

"I cannot add anything to what Jellybean has said and suggested !