Language Level Skills: Portuguese Posted by Rachel on Aug 19, 2009 in Learning
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Comments:
Jenni:
I am just starting to learn portuguese I am trying to learn more about the counrty before this summer when we may visit for a month. I do enjoy your blog.
Garrett:
been studying off and on for a few months now… outside the lessons I can recognize some of the words from Protuguese to English and getting better at the English to Protuguese,,, beginner…
Mike:
I would consider myself mid-intermediate in terms of speaking or writing, high-intermediate in terms of listening, and advanced in terms of reading. The construction of Portuguese sentences is sometimes counterintuitive to me, a primarily English user.
Jeremy:
Hmmm… This is kind of a tricky question becuase not only is it difficult to rate yourself, but I haven’t found any resources for English speaking people learning Portuguese to use to be rated. I know there is some kind of standardized or at least very common written test that is taken in Brazil to rate their English proficiency that is pretty important to a lot of people. Does anyone know about anything we could do in the US like that but for Portuguese?
Anyway, if I were to rate myself, I would say that I am intermediate to advanced. I can read and understand almost everything, and can deduce the meanings of many unfamiliar words from context. I can write and get across what I mean almost all the time, although I use a dictionary and other resources for more complex grammar formulations. My vocabulary is reasonably large, although that’s kind of a guess because I don’t know how to assess that. I can usually understand Brazilians when they speak, as long as it isn’t too loud or abnormally fast and there is not a huge amount of slang. Speaking, I can almost always say what I want, but sometimes need to talk around a word or concept. I know some slang and more idiomatic language and use it pretty naturally in my speech.
The things I’ve identified for myself to keep improving are speaking with Brazilians in person and via skype/video chat/voice chat/IM, reading articles and blogs online in Portuguese (which I already do a LOT, but am always looking for new sources and blogs), and learning new slang and informal language. I tend to use Brazilian ESL sites that are made for Portuguese speakers learning English because their intermediate and advanced stuff teaches me a lot about Portuguese and how they are using it, especially with slang or idioms. I would really, really love to see more articles and resources for learning Brazilian Portuguese idiom and slang for English speakers. One of my favorite Brazilian sites, for reference, is http://www.englishexperts.com. I would kill for an English to Portuguse version of that site.
Nika:
I think that im actually at Advanced. I have been teaching myself Brazilian Português for the last 2 years.. and I’m able to write, speak and read. I can have full blow conversations with people i’ve never even met before. I wouldn’t say im fluent though.. that’s a little much. I still have my moments where i go: oi??? rsrs.. but.. im borderline.
Tracy:
Oi Rachel,
I’ve been at the intermediate level for a while now. I can read at an advanced level and write at an intermediate level, but my speaking and comprehension skills still need lots of work! I can say and understand basic phrases.
Nika:
I COMPLETELY forgot to mention.. anybody who might want to practice or work on their skills with me, i’d be delighted to help.
email: sdrey247@gmail.com
Phillip F Auth:
I am also somewhere between intermediate and advanced. I attended a semester of grad school in Brazil with all classes taught in Portuguese and I currently travel to Brazil on business and have meetings in Portuguese but my reading and writing skills could be improved and I frequently have problems understanding coloqueal Portuguese in groups outside of meetings or on TV.
Troy:
I agree that it is difficult to assess your level. On the one hand, I speak Portuguese at home with my Brazilian wife. On the other hand, when I watch Brazilian movies or comedies I find that I often get lost because they are speaking too fast or use too much slang or have an accent that is different from what I’m used to. For example, I love the Carioca accent, but since my wife is from Sao Paulo, I find it a bit harder to understand (Anybody watch “Os Normais”?)
And I’ve almost stopped reading Portuguese completely because I want to focus on being able to listen and understand. The vocabulary and manner of spoken Portuguese has very little in common with the written language. And whenever I’m reading Portuguese there is no real time-limit and the internet is usually available, so I can always look up words that stump me. Not so when you’re talking to someone!
Anyone else share my experiences?
Still, I’m happy for how far things have come after studying for–gasp–13 years!
Manas Barkatki:
Ola, Eu sou indiano e sou da india. Estou trabalhando numa imprensa como uma especialista da lingua portuguesa. Estou tentando aprender ambos idiomas e sutac de portuguese de brasil e portugal. Fiz um curso chamado Certificado de 1 ano de faculdade de letras de deli (india) e depois no segundo ano fiz um curso avançado da lingua portuguesa. Eu gostaria de falar e de fazer chat com as pessoas que falam portuguese mas nao encontrei so um “Chat room” onde as pessoas usam portuguese. Durante o curso da lingua apredi muitas coisas de portugal e do brasil e o nosso professor foi de Alcobaça (portugal). Nestes dias, eu estou trabalhando numa imprensa e antes fui numa companha multinacional chamada “Vcustomer”. Eu falo ingles, portuguese, hindi e a minha lingua materna ASSAMESE. Entao, se voce quer aprender uma idioma indiana ,pode enviar um email para mim. E espero que, vai ajudar me a aprender lingua portuguesa.
Muito Obrigado,
Manas Barkatki
India, delhi-07
Mob: 09718067117
Manas_barkatki@yahoo.co.in
Lisa:
I am a beginner trying to learn the Portuguese so I can arrange a surprise trip for my husband to visit his birth island Sao Jorge.
I know that Brazilian and European are somewhat different but I find that they are very close and I am having difficulty finding resources to teach me.
Jim Pursley:
Eu moro no Brasil, na cidade de Caldas Novas. Estou casado com uma brasileira e estamos com 3 filios – 6,8 e 12. Adotei-lhes fais 2 anos. Posso falar mais o menos bem, mas falto de girias, gramatica e outras partes duma lingua que dar fluencia. Eu trabalho todo o dia em ingleis – no internet. Eu sou gerente dos investimentos nos E.U.A. Eu acho bom o nivel de instrucao no blog.
Ate mais, carioca
Scott:
I am now living in Brazil, (Indaiatuba, SP) and would concider myself mid intermediate.
I find your blogs extremly interesting and very, very helpful!
Many thanks, opps mutio obrigado!
Rick:
Sabe, essa pergunta e dificil. Pois, eu fico sabendo que eu preciso de estudar mais mas todos os meus amigos Brasileiros me dizem que eu falo e escrevo melhor do que eles. Acho absurdo! Que boboagem! Alias, eu tambem fico um pouco vergonhado quando falar na frente de muitos pessoas.
Ed:
I’m probably a low intermediate. I have taken classes at a language school as well as studied on my own, and I have several Portuguese study podcasts I listen to. I can hold a basic conversation but it breaks down when dealing with more complex concepts or complicated grammar. As with many people, I’m sure, I think it’s just a matter of not getting enough practice to really feel comfortable.
I do study Spanish as well, which is both a blessing and a curse. 🙂
nordy:
low to mid-intermediate. I can read fairly well. Listen ok and speak ok. But I’m nowhere near fluent. The stuff I really like help with is how to use works like “assim, tao, tanto, para” and such, the words that transition over to other things. But in general, I like your blog a lot.
Tenha uma boa semana 🙂
Danielle:
I would say I’m on the advanced side of beginner. Reading Brazilian Portuguese is much easier than hearing it since so many letters/words are sort of swallowed or merge into another.
Fabricio:
I am the American son of parents who are from Campina Grande, Paraiba. Portuguese was my first language but over the past 35 years my opportunities to speak have dwindled. While I “think” I’m fluent, I’m probably not since my vocabulary is a bit limited. I understand everything, can read just about anything, and have intermediate writing skills.
Eu quero melhorar meu Portugues.
Ciao
Kirsten:
I would say I am probably advanced to fluent… mostly because I just spent 7 months living in Salvador and studied Portuguese for about 2 years before that.
Robin:
Oi, tudo bem. I am maybe an advanced beginner level Portuguese learner. My husband is Brazilian and in our business we see quite a few Brazilian people so face to face I do better and understand a lot more. But still working on expanding sentence usage, etc and vocab.
Maureen:
I learned to speak Portuguese 40 years ago from Brazilian friends. I have probably spoken a total of 15 times to people in Portuguese since then. I can carry on a conversation with people I do not know and be understood. I can read with a simple vocabulary, but I cannot write well at all and I have a limited useful vocabulary. I guess that I am a low intermediate…although, I do not have issues with sentence construction or tenses. I guess my vocabulary is the problem…that and using the language on a regular basis.
Marlene:
It depends who you ask. It IS hard to evaluate yourself and since I’m an obsessive perfectionist, even harder. 😛
I think that my reading/writing skills are better than my spoken listening skills, for sure. So, I’D say I’m advanced, while friends in Brazil say I’m fluent. I just know that the last time I was in Brazil (March/April) I was finally able to watch TV without captions and follow and participate in conversations in Portuguese.
The one thing I know for sure is that I’ll never be content with what I know. There will always be more to learn.
Rachel:
Ladies and gents, your comments have been enormously helpful.
Thank you so much for your input!
Steven:
I fit in that vague intermediate group. I can’t understand movies or tv shows well without subtitles (at least without rewinding a bunch), but can understand usually the news. Reading is much easier. I did surprise myself, though, when I visited Brazil for the first time in Recife and was able to manage OK — I had no choice. But I didn’t try to chat with folks on the bus, or anything.
Jay:
I am a beginner learning Euro Portuguese.
Beverley – Bermuda:
I had no problem in Brazil last May…started from San Paulo checked into hotel and did fine speaking Portugues.
charles:
I am a mid intermediate portugese speaker. I have been studying portugese for 5 years with moderate success. As I did not speak a second language I chose to learn portugese at age 55. I have been to schools in Sao Paulo, Maceo, and Recife and private tutoring here in Connecticut.
It is a challenge.
Sananda:
I live in Australia and started to learn Portuguese after returning from Brazil in 2003. First I was learning mainly from the internet and books. I currently have a Columbian flatmate who speaks Portuguese as a second language. We actually speak very little english to each other. For some reason I can understand him alot better than my Brazilian friends, Maybe because it is his second language he speaks it a little slower and uses less slang. This has definately improved my speaking and listening.
Reading: Mid Intermediate
Writing: Low Intermediate
Speaking: Low intermediate
Listening: Beginner
also… could anyone explain the day to day uses of the subjunctive tenses to me? especially the present subjunctive. For example with Levar, eu levo becomes eu leve.
Valeu! bungwillow@hotmail.com
Chuck:
I would classify myself as an intermediate student of portuguese. I can carry on simple conversations – or more complex ones with the assistance of a Por-Eng dictionary. I can read, probably at an elementary school level and write at the same. Understanding movies, songs or speeches is very difficult and I only comprehend perhaps 25-40%.
Margaret:
I have been learning Brazillian Portuguese for about 2 months in preration for a study visit in July 2010.
I am trying to broaden my knowledge of the culture, industry, politics and every day life in Brazil. I find the site hugely useful and engaging in supporting this aim.
level of expertise: Well after a month and having no experience of learning a second language you can judge for yourself. What comes below “LOW”.
I am having lessons with a brazillian girl who live in the USA using Skype. I find this very helpful.
Rick:
Voce sabe que esta fluente quando pode brigar em portugues. Sem pensar, so emoçao e as palavras sai da tua boca como agua da torneira. Pode ser? rsrsr.
Fabricio:
This blog is great. I like hearing about other people’s experiences with learning to speak/write/read Portuguese but what is the end goal? How do we help each other get better?
Rick:
Oi Fabricio, Tem toda razao cara. No final das contas, eu frequento esse site para aprender mais e tambem gostoria de ser fluente mesmo. Talvez a gente possa fazer uma lista das possoas que serao interessadas em trocar os e-mails e fazer novas amizades a melhor a aprendimento. Sem conversar regularmente, acredito que eu ficarei no mesmo nivel. Vamos tentar. Topa?
Fabricio:
Rick, É Isso. Vamos fazer progresso. Minha paginha de facebook e: http://www.facebook.com/fab.silva bem vindo.
Carol:
I read a comment asking about a way to measure someone’s proficiency in the Portuguese language. Well, there’s a test (like the Cambrigde exams for english learners) from the Brazilian Government:
http://portal.mec.gov.br/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12270&ativo=519&Itemid=518
andreas:
Posso ler, escrever, conheço muita gramática, mas não falo muito
Manas Barkatki:
Ola Nordy,
Como está! Sou indiano da india e estou aprendindo portuguese. Nestes dias estou trabalhando como uma especialista da lingua portuguesa.
As per my little knowledge i would advice you to suggest an excelente online grammar book from the site “http://www.scribd.com/doc/13989989/Gramatica-Activa-1-Portugues” . I guess it would be very helpful to you.
Tão and Tanto both signify ‘very’ or ‘lot’ however there are minor differences with their uses.
Eg…
1. Tão+ Adjective- Tão bonita
2. Tão+ Adverb- Tão depressa, that is ‘Tão’ is invariable.
However, ‘tanto’ is variable and invariable as well.
Eg…
1. tanto/tanta/tantos/tantas+NOUN – tanto dinheiro,tantas pessoas, tantos chocolates, tanta gente etc. (variable)
2. VERB +tanto – ele come tanto, ela fala tanto (invariable).
Please suggest for the use of ‘passive voice’ and ‘apassivente se’. I have always confusion among these 2 sentences ‘portuguese é falado’ and ‘fala se portuguese’.
What is the difference? please help! Please feel free contact me.
Obrigado…
Manas barkatki
manas_barkatki@yahoo.co.in
INDIA, DELHI
09718067117
Manas Barkatki:
Ola,
Eu sou da india e sei portuguese. A minha língua materna é Assamese. É muito interessante que há muitas palavras em portuguese quais são similhante a assamese. Como, BICHA, CHUPAR, MEJA, BOIAR etc. Estou fazendo a pesquisa…
Obrigado,
Manas
Quick Facts:
Maybe you should change the blog subject Language Level Skills: Portuguese | Portuguese Blog to something more catching for your subject you make. I enjoyed the the writing withal.