If you’re like me and love to study languages at home, chances are good that you’ll resort to YouTube sooner or later. It’s a fantastic resource to learn from native speakers and get that critical listening practice. However, it can sometimes be difficult to determine what is a good channel and how it might relate to your learning goals. This is especially true if you are trying to learn European Portuguese! The vast majority of resources are for Brazilian Portuguese, and it can be both discouraging and confusing when searching for help. With that being said, here are five channels that I have found useful.
#1: Listen and Learn Portuguese with Maria
This was the first channel I watched, and it’s also one of the first to show up on Youtube when you search “learn European Portuguese.” Maria is actually not a native Portuguese speaker, but she speaks it well, and I believe that her background as a language learner helps with her teaching.
I found Maria to be very helpful, especially regarding the A1 basics and pronunciation. As an educator and English teacher, I really appreciated how thorough she was when teaching pronunciation in the Portuguese alphabet. She always gives examples in context and uses visuals, which helps as well. What I found most helpful was the A1 playlist that she compiled with lessons for absolute beginners. While it wasn’t extensive, it was a great jumping-off point and provided excellent structure.
Great for:
- Pronunciation
- Alphabet
- Basic Vocabulary
- A1 Basics
- Common Grammar Mistakes
#2: Talk the Streets
Talk the Streets is a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to learn European Portuguese. Liz is a Portuguese teacher who creates content specifically for those living in or moving to Portugal. She includes fantastic tips about language learning, daily life in Portugal, and culture. As a side note, she also does Easy Portuguese for Easy Languages, which is great for learning any language. If you want short lessons in context, this might be a great resource for you!
Great for:
- Learning how to learn Portuguese
- Portuguese culture for expats
- Listening practice
#3: Portuguese Lab
This is one of the original YouTube channels for European Portuguese learners. It’s also one of my favorites! It has a little bit of everything for everyone, from beginners to advanced learners. There are grammar lessons, common mistakes and confusing points, many verb practices, and short stories. One of the most appealing aspects of this channel is that it teaches practical European Portuguese that can be used in context.
In addition to the YouTube channel, there is also a helpful podcast on Spotify. I enjoy listening to these while I drive–especially the verb conjugation drills. If you are completely new to the language, this is a great place to start.
Great for:
- Beginners to advanced
- Grammar and verb practice
- Short stories (labelled for the different levels)
- An organized, consistent approach
- Students who want a clear, standard speaker
#4: The Sounds of Portuguese
If you want to learn European Portuguese, particularly if you desire to actually speak and understand it (which most of us learning do), this is an excellent resource for you. Adelina is a fantastic teacher who is well-versed in language-acquisition theory. She creates videos for all levels, ranging from vocabulary lists to short stories. Her primary focus is on comprehensible input–i.e., creating audio that you can understand and build upon.
One of the most useful–and unique–aspects of her videos is the fact that she often includes a pronunciation guide. Especially in European Portuguese, a word or sentence does not always sound how it looks. Adelina puts a phonetic version below the English and Portuguese subtitles. It’s very useful, especially if you are really trying to nail the pronunciation!
As an English teacher, I can attest to the fact that her methods are fantastic. Because she includes many supports (i.e., visual cues, speaking slowly, repeating, including target language subtitles, asking comprehension questions), it is an excellent use of your time, and you will not feel (too) overwhelmed on your journey to learn European Portuguese.
Great for:
- Listening and pronunciation practice
- Learners who want multiple means of support
- Learning about Portuguese culture
- Short stories and comprehension questions
#5: Portuguese with Leo
This is a channel that I discovered later in my language learning journey, but one that I appreciate. You probably noticed that all of my suggestions above feature primarily female speakers. While this is fine, it does help to hear a variety of accents, genders, and speeds. Leo is a very clear speaker and an excellent teacher. He goes beyond the basics of grammar practice, often including lessons on idioms and expressions to help you sound more like a native speaker. My favorite aspect is his cultural podcasts and videos. It’s great comprehensible input, and it neatly ties the language with the culture. If you want to learn European Portuguese and learn about Portugal, this is a great option.
Great for:
- Intermediate and advanced learners
- Idioms, expressions, and accents
- Learning about culture
Other Helpful Channels
While these are my personal top five channels, there are a few other channels that I have found useful on my journey to learn European Portuguese. Here are some great ones to check out:
- Mia Esmeriz Academy–excellent if you want to practice listening and grammar. There is also a helpful podcast.
- Learn European Portuguese Online–a great option if you want to learn European Portuguese expressions and idioms, find new vocabulary, and practice for a Portuguese test.
- Portuguese Unlocked–fun, short lessons with an energetic teacher, mainly focusing on culture, dialogue, and speaking tips.
In Conclusion
It certainly isn’t easy to learn European Portuguese, but it is definitely worth it! Use this list to help facilitate your language learning journey. Let me know–which one is your favorite? Are there any that I missed?
Happy learning!
Image: Image by Leonhard Niederwimmer from Pixabay