Among the many resources for learning Portuguese from Portugal, YouTube stands out as an exceptionally useful website for language learners. The platform offers an abundance of free lessons, making it a cost-effective solution for those keen to dive into the world of learning European Portuguese. And if you have a smartphone, you can learn on the go, whether you’re commuting, exercising, or just relaxing at home.
Many language learners find YouTube to be a more engaging and interactive alternative to traditional textbooks. Videos can provide visual and auditory stimuli that are crucial in language acquisition. More importantly, pronunciation is so important when learning a new language, and especially when learning European Portuguese, and so learning through YouTube ensures you learn words as they’re supposed to be pronounced.
In this article, we will explore some of the top YouTube channels dedicated to teaching European Portuguese. Each channel has its unique approach, catering to different learning styles and levels.
Talk the Streets
Liz Sharma’s Talk The Streets is one of the most popular channels dedicated to European Portuguese. She also offers regular webinars where she teaches the basics of speaking Portuguese like a pro.
Liz’s journey with the Portuguese language began in 2005 during her undergraduate studies in Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Manchester. She graduated with a First Class degree, distinguished in spoken Portuguese, and later enhanced her expertise with qualifications in legal interpreting from London Metropolitan University.
Liz’s deep connection with Portuguese culture is rooted in her experiences living in both Brazil and Portugal, and she is currently based in Lisbon. Her fluency in Portuguese has immensely enriched her life in Portugal, allowing her to seamlessly blend into local life, from making friends with neighbours to engaging in current affairs.
The content on the Talk The Streets YouTube channel is a blend of Portuguese grammar, idiomatic usage, and a series of outdoor interviews that shine a light on Portuguese popular culture. Most lessons are taught in English, making them accessible to a broad audience.
Check out: Talk The Streets on YouTube
Mia Esmeriz Academy
Hailing from Porto, Mia Esmeriz brings a rich academic background to her teaching, holding a master’s degree in teaching Portuguese to foreigners from Porto University. Her deep understanding of the language is not just academic; it’s also personal, shaped by more than a decade of experience both as a Portuguese teacher and a language learner.
Mia’s courses, catering to levels A1 through B2, are meticulously crafted, combining her extensive teaching experience with an intimate understanding of the language learning process.
While Mia predominantly instructs in English, she has also been creating content entirely in Portuguese, complete with Portuguese subtitles. This bilingual approach not only aids learners in grasping the nuances of the language but also immerses them in an authentic language environment, enhancing their listening and comprehension skills.
Check out: Mia Esmeriz Academy on YouTube
Practice Portuguese
Practice Portuguese is one of the most popular resources for learning European Portuguese. It offers a paid course, covering A1-B2 Portuguese, as well as a podcast and lots of short audio content, known as shorties.
But while most people are familiar with the Practice Portuguese website and app, most people don’t know that Rui and Joel also have a YouTube channel. The content is a mixture of conversations in Portuguese (with subtitles) as well as lessons in English that teach Portuguese words and phrases.
Check out: Practice Portuguese on YouTube
Portuguese With Leo
Portuguese with Leo is a fantastic YouTube channel for those seeking immersive exposure to European Portuguese. Leo, the channel’s creator, is known for his clear and careful speech, making it easier for learners to follow and absorb the language. This approach is particularly beneficial for beginners and intermediate learners who are still acclimatising to the sounds and rhythms of European Portuguese.
The content on Portuguese with Leo is diverse and informative, covering a range of topics that span from Portugal’s rich history and vibrant popular culture to the intricacies of Portuguese grammar and idiomatic expressions.
A useful feature of the channel is its collection of interviews with Portuguese speakers from various regions, including the Azores and Madeira. This aspect is incredibly beneficial for learners to get acquainted with the different accents and dialects within the Portuguese-speaking world, including destinations like Brazil and Mozambique.
Check out: Portuguese With Leo on YouTube
Portuguese With Carla
Portuguese With Carla is the YouTube channel of the website by the same. Many people may be familiar with Carla’s podcast or her course, The Journey, and may not know that she has a YouTube channel as well.
What makes Portuguese with Carla particularly appealing is its diverse content. The channel doesn’t limit itself to traditional language lessons, although this is a big part of the content Carla and Marlon offer; it also delves into cultural aspects that are integral to understanding the Portuguese way of life. This includes explorations of topics like the intricacies of Portuguese coffee culture, practical insights into moving to Portugal, and the rich tapestry of Portuguese cuisine. This type of content not only makes the language learning experience more itneresting but also provides learners with a deeper connection to Portuguese culture.
The channel’s bilingual nature caters to a wide range of learners, from beginners to those who are more advanced, making it a versatile and valuable tool in the journey to mastering European Portuguese.
Check out: Portuguese With Carla on YouTube
Learn European Portuguese Online
Sandra Carapinha’s YouTube channel, Learn European Portuguese Online, is a reflection of her unique bilingual and bicultural experience. As a Portuguese American who has lived on both sides of the Atlantic, Sandra brings a deep understanding of both English and Portuguese to her teaching.
Since moving to the U.S. in 2011, Sandra has transformed her passion for the Portuguese language into a fulfilling career in tutoring. Her enthusiasm for teaching and sharing her culture is evident in her YouTube channel. The channel primarily focuses on lesson-based content, thoroughly covering vocabulary, grammar, and expressions. This structure makes it an ideal resource for learners who prefer a structured approach to language acquisition.
What sets Sandra’s channel apart is the insight she brings as someone who has navigated the nuances of both Portuguese and American cultures. Her bilingualism ensures that explanations are clear and relatable to English-speaking learners, while her cultural insights offer learners a deeper understanding of the Portuguese language within its cultural context.
Check out: Learn European Portuguese Online on YouTube
Portuguesepedia
Although Portuguesepedia may not have the widespread awareness of some larger channels, its value for language learners is immense. The channel covers a wide array of topics, from idiomatic expressions and intricate grammar points to the nuances of pronunciation. This diverse range of content ensures that learners of all levels can find something to aid their language journey.
One of the strengths of Portuguesepedia is the variety in its content. The channel doesn’t just stick to traditional language lessons; it also incorporates unique and engaging methods, such as incorporating music into learning, with the creator sometimes singing to illustrate a point. This creative approach not only makes learning more enjoyable but also aids in memory retention and provides a fresh perspective on language learning.
The length of the videos, typically ranging between 10 to 20 minutes, strikes the perfect balance for online learning. These sessions are long enough to delve deeply into a concept, ensuring thorough understanding, yet concise enough to fit into a learner’s busy schedule. This format is ideal for a focused tutorial session, allowing learners to explore and grasp a concept fully without feeling overwhelmed.
For those seeking a comprehensive and engaging resource for learning European Portuguese, Portuguesepedia is an excellent choice. Its blend of thorough educational content and creative teaching methods makes it a standout channel for anyone serious about mastering the language.
Check out: Portuguesepedia on YouTube
Portuguese Lab
Portuguese Lab offers a diverse range of language learning videos, encompassing everything from engaging short stories and dialogues to comprehensive lessons on vocabulary and grammar.
The channel offers the typical lesson-style videos, which cover popular topics like grammar, idioms, and vocabulary. However, it also offers listen and repeat content where it tries to mimic a typical Portuguese conversation in different settings.
This variety in presentation style caters to different learning preferences, making Portuguese Lab a unique resource for Portuguese learners.
Check out: Portuguese Lab on YouTube
