Wanna learn Portuguese language or are you learning Portuguese already and want to improve your language skills faster? Try a free online or an in-person Portuguese language courses is the best way to learn Portuguese and improve your proficiency in no time.
In this post, we bring you 22 options of free courses for you to learn or improve your Portuguese, both European and Brazilian dialects. There are courses for almost all the levels of proficiency (even for those who still wonder what language is spoken in Brazil, for instance) so you can find the best way for you to learn Portuguese. Enjoy!
The Average Number of Hours in Learning the Portuguese Language?
Most people determine how hard a language is to learn through the number of hours you will have to put in to learn it. The truth is there are several factors that make learning a language difficult or easy. Like how similar is your native language to Portuguese? Have you picked up other languages quickly? Are you planning to learn Brazilian or European Portuguese?
Many think that Portuguese doesn’t have a lot of variation and that they’re all the same. European and Brazilian Portuguese may seem similar, but they have different ways of pronouncing words and the meaning of certain words, which you must be mindful about. Because you can’t expect European Portuguese speakers to immediately understand your Brazilian Portuguese.
The average number of hours a Portuguese language learner will have to put in to become fluent is estimated to be from 576 to 600 hours. To be proficient in the Portuguese language, you can teach yourself by having a native speaker to talk with or take classes with. You can also build up your mastery through using language learning materials like videos and grammar books while reading and watching Portuguese content.
Best way to learn Portuguese online for free
Here are the options for free Portuguese language lessons and resources online. There are 16 free quality courses for you to learn online. Just to choose the level you want to start and go!
Brazilian Portuguese lessons for beginners
1. PortuguesePod101
PortuguesePod101 has very innovative approach to the Portuguese learning process. Teaching ins done through a series of episodes and each one comes with a PDF file with the dialog, so you can follow it along while listening.
2. BrazilianPodClass
Want a more in-depth look on the Brazilian Portuguese language structure? Then checkout BrazilianPodClass, an amazing podcast that try to covers all the major grammar questions students might have during their learning process.
3. Semantica
Semantica uses video to teach students Portuguese. The episodes are created to work like a TV show and each one of them tells a story with language situations and explanations that effortlessly blend into the story. It’s really fun.
4. Duolingo
Duolingo is a well-know platform that uses flash cards and gamification to learn new languages. Portuguese language is also on the platform and it is perfect for beginners.
5. italki
As you might see later, italk has also resources for European Portuguese, but it is a solid way to learn Brazilian Portuguese too. You might have to pay for additional features, but it’s worth it.
European Portuguese lessons for beginners
6. Memrise
Memrise has lots of free courses for European Portuguese and it’s one of the best ways to learn Portuguese for beginners.
7. RTP Zigzag
Zigzag is a section of the Portugal’s public broadcasting networking (RTP) focused on educational content. The videos are short and cover a variety of things such as history, geography and lots of fun facts.
8. italki (European Portuguese)
italki it’s a great way to learn Portuguese by speaking to natives. European Portuguese might be difficult for some learners, but this website can help.
9. Learn Portuguese with Rafa
Learn Portuguese with Rafa is a website focused on beginners. It also highlights some key differences between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese (and there are many!).
Intermediate Portuguese lessons (European and Brazilian Portuguese)
10. Practice Portuguese
Do you think you have an intermediate Portuguese level but still have problems with listening comprehension? Practice Portuguese is the best way to improve this skill.
11. NHK World Radio Japão
I know, right? How a radio from Japan will help me learn Portuguese? Well, you’d be surprised to know that Japan has one of the biggest comnunities of Brazilians outside Brazil. And NHK World Radio Japão only broadcasts in Portuguese so you can practice your listening skills.
12. Português no Mundo
Português no Mundo is a free podcast about something you might also be interesting as a learner of a new language: traveling. The podcast is really fun and a great way to improve your listening while you’re on the go.
13. Cinem(ação)
Who doesn’t like movies, right? So why not improve your Portuguese Language while also learning about Brazilian Cinema as well? Cinem(ação) is a great way to do so.
14. VisioKids
VisioKids can be good way to improve your listening comprehension while learning interesting facts about Science and Nature (specially for kids).
15. Recontando
Recontando is a funny news website from Brazil specially made for children. The language used to tell the stories are simplified and it might be useful for those on the intermediate level.
16. Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua (Instituto Camões)
The Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua (Language and Cooperation Institute) is an initiative from the Government of Portugal that is a real treasure for Portuguese Learners. That are plenty of books for free to help you improve your language and learn more about Portuguese history and literature.
Advanced Portuguese lessons
17. CBTV Now
CBTV Now it’s a free TV channel from Brazil intended to Brazilians living abroad. It has shows about Brazilian culture and lifestyle and is recommended for advanced learners improve even more their level of proficiency.
18. Conta-me Tudo
Conta-me Tudo (Tell Me Everything) brings funny amazing stories and also deep discussions that require advanced Portuguese to be understood.
20. Universidade Regional de Blumenau (FURB)
The Universidade Regional de Blumenau (Regional University of Blumenau) is a Brazilian university that offers a free Portuguese Language online course – it even gives the students a certificate!
In-person Portuguese classes for free
Thinking about moving abroad to learn Portuguese? Well, you might even do it for free! Here are some Portuguese Language classes for free:
21. Português para Estrangeiros da USP
The University of São Paulo (USP) has a program called Projeto Redigir, geared towards foreigners interested in learning Portuguese. The course is completely free and is given by the university students and professors once a week.
22. Português para Estrangeiros da UFSCar
UFSCar’s (Federal University of São Carlos) Language Institute has a discipline where the students from the Language Degree course can teach Portuguese as a foreign language and foreigners can have a chance to learn the idiom.
Now you can’t use money as an excuse for not start learning Portuguese. Choose the best way to learn portuguese for your time and schedule and have fun!