Learning Portuguese

i have to say i'm finding it difficult...our teacher says you have to keep at it and practice all the time, sure sometimes you are just too busy and don't get a chance.

hi roger, i was useless at languages in school aswell...but i think that there's a massive difference now in that i want to learn the language as opposed to the teachers pushing for us to learn the irish language. the language is difficult, loads of vowels and all words are either male / female and then there are exceptions to every rule! such as, when you speak of 'a door'....door is porta...you say A porta because door is feminine. when you speak of computer...that's masculine so you say O computador....kinda a lot to take in....but if you go to a class where everyone is a beginner, it's a bit of fun trying to get your head around it!

Can you let me have the details please, about where it is and how to contact the lady

The lessons are in a little restaurant called Quinta da Gale every Friday afternoon at 13.30

Thank you for that. Is it a class of mixed ability or have you all been going the same length of time so are up to the same point, if you see what I mean!

I'd love to learn at least basic Portuguese. I have all but forgotten everything I tried to learn for our first visit, and from what I remember, people appreciated that we'd taken the time to try and converse with people in their local tongue instead of giving the usual tourist retort of "I can't believe they don't talk English" as if that was to be expected.

Hi,  been going to Albufeira twice a year for last four years and getting quite good at the language now ... it IS regular usage and attention to detail.

Buy a Dictionary and phrasebook ... read it at least three times. Pay special attention to the common things like numbers, days of the week, news items. I watch Hoje em Dia and Fala Portugal (news) on Sky 801, Segunda a sexta when home in UK .. also buy a map and look up the meaning of every Portuguese sign, district, hotel, instruction you come upon. very soon, you have a large vocabulary and begin to converse with locals ... like the cleaners, supermarklet staff, bus drivers, etc.

I am currently producing a Albufeira Guide, bus map and timetable ... ( I know there are some on the web) ... but which many people I`ve met from UK, Ireland have said they`d like in their pocket. Available from February in Albufeira ... or from my e-mail address.

i'd like one too Pyrman please!....a handy one to keep in the apartment for myself and my guests. sounds good . pm you around february so!