A few simple things you can do outside the classroom to improve your Portuguese, from watching cartoons and changing your phone's language to ordering your coffee in Portuguese.
Learning a language takes time, and sometimes it's the little things you do outside the classroom that make the biggest difference. Here are a few things you can do to improve your Portuguese, especially if you're learning European Portuguese.
1. Watch cartoons!
Yes, cartoons! Watch your favourite cartoons if you can find them dubbed in European Portuguese on YouTube. Or try watching your favourite series on Netflix with Portuguese subtitles.
You can also explore Portuguese TV series. The idea is to get used to hearing the language, its sounds, rhythm and expressions. And if you already know the story, even better! You'll have a much easier time following along.
2. Set your phone to Portuguese
This is such a simple thing to do, but it can make a difference. Change your phone's language settings to Portuguese.
You'll start seeing everyday words and expressions without even trying. Settings, notifications, calendar, weather... all those little things you probably look at dozens of times a day.
At first, it might feel a little confusing, but you'll get used to it. And before you know it, you'll be learning Portuguese without actually sitting down to study.
3. Read!
Read children's books, translations of books you already know, or even something a little more challenging.
Roald Dahl, Kafka or Portuguese writers such as Alice Vieira (A Lua Não Está à Venda, for example) are all possibilities.
Don't worry about understanding every single word. Sometimes it's enough to get the general idea of what's happening. Look up a word when you really need to, but don't stop every two seconds to check the dictionary. Let yourself enjoy the story!
4. If you live in Portugal, go out and explore
Pay attention to the people around you, the conversations you hear, the signs in the streets, the menus, the little notes on shop windows.
Portugal is full of opportunities to practise Portuguese, even when you're not actively looking for them.
And don't be shy! Try ordering your coffee in Portuguese, ask a question at the local shop or have a little chat with your neighbour. You don't need to have a perfect conversation. You just need to start somewhere.
5. Speak, even if you don't understand everything
This one might sound a little crazy, but hear me out.
Speak, even when you're not entirely sure what you're saying or when you don't understand everything that's coming back at you.
Sometimes, you need to pretend (or at least assume) that you understand a little more than you actually do. Keep the conversation going, use the words you know, ask questions and try to work things out from context.
Of course, don't pretend to understand something important if you really don't! But don't let the fear of not understanding every word stop you from speaking.
You learn a lot by simply being part of a conversation.
6. Make Portuguese part of your everyday life
Try to have a little bit of Portuguese every day. It doesn't have to be a full study session or anything too demanding.
Listen to a Portuguese podcast while cooking, follow a Portuguese Instagram account, write your shopping list in Portuguese or try to describe what you're doing throughout the day.
The more you surround yourself with the language, the more familiar it becomes. And familiarity is a big part of feeling comfortable enough to use it.
And one last thing: don't be too hard on yourself. Learning a language is not a race, and you don't need to get everything right.
Be curious, make mistakes, laugh at yourself and enjoy the process. Little by little, Portuguese will start feeling less like a foreign language and more like part of your everyday life.