The people in Portugal are marvelous… friendly, welcoming, and helpful beyond expectation. Although you can get by with English, learning to speak Portuguese will help you live a fuller life in Portugal.
Because of the strong tourist infrastructure in the Algarve, most everyone you meet here speaks at least some English. Portuguese people are accommodating and they’re happy to indulge in limited Portuguese.
While your reasons for moving to a new country will be different, we recommend that you embrace the culture and language if you plan to live in Portugal.
Honestly assess who you are and what you’re hoping to get out of your experience living overseas. Be forewarned: not everything will go the way you plan. And that’s half the fun.
With a flexible attitude, you will have great experiences and create amazing memories. You will learn more about yourself and get so much more out of the adventure than you imagined, especially if you learn some of the local language!
Is Learning To Speak Portuguese Difficult?
Portuguese is difficult to learn. It’s a challenge but worth the effort. People you meet are willing to help you learn, and the smiles will be priceless when you actually pronounce a word correctly.
To be respectful of the locals, learn at least a little Portuguese.
To improve your Portuguese, have some fun. Attend as many festivals and events as you can. Develop new family traditions. Take up a new hobby. Join a group. And let yourself savor the experience. You’ve taken a big, bold step. It will come with challenges and hassles and struggles. Your reward for putting in the work is the experience itself. It will be the adventure of your lifetime.
It’s true that speaking Spanish will make it easier for you to pick up Portuguese. The languages share many similarities that will allow you to learn more quickly.
If you want to learn Portuguese quickly, in a friendly environment, we recommend the Portuguese Connection School. You can learn in person at their Lisbon school, or online. The Lisbon school includes days out to help you learn. These events include wine tastings and food workshops.
