Customer Reviews

Travessia 1 Textbook Portuguese

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Although Travessia provides a well-designed introduction to Portuguese by providing beginner vocabulary on an appropriately broad number of subjects as well as a casual, unintimidating approach to the grammar, one should beware the accompanying videos which are HORRIBLE. The producers should be ashamed to have realeased such amateur quality skits the background music of which often drowns out the speakers themselves. These videos are an embarrasment to Brasil and its people. The one saving grace of the first video is a performace by Joao Gilberto of "Canta Brasil" which reminds us why we are learning the language in the first place, and allows us to forgive, for a moment, the rest of the atrocity.

Travessia rates high in teaching the everyday Portuguese one hears in Brazil. Grammar points are reinforced by numerous exercises and by the videos that accompany Travessia. The book is intended for a person learning a foreign language for the first time. If one possesses knowledge of other romance languages, it will seem Travessia moves too slowly. If one is looking for a quick transition from another romance language to Portuguese, a solely grammar based Portuguese text may be more appropriate. Travessia also does well with respect to the culture covered throughout the book. Another emphasis of Travessia is the development of pratical language skills (e.g. telephone, hotel, and travel vocabualary/situations).

Although Travessia provides a well-designed introduction to Portuguese by providing beginner vocabulary on an appropriately broad number of subjects as well as a casual, unintimidating approach to the grammar, one should beware the accompanying videos which are HORRIBLE. The producers should be ashamed to have realeased such amateur quality skits the background music of which often drowns out the speakers themselves. These videos are an embarrasment to Brasil and its people. The one saving grace of the first video is a performace by Joao Gilberto of "Canta Brasil" which reminds us why we are learning the language in the first place, and allows us to forgive, for a moment, the rest of the atrocity.

I like the little cultural tidbits you can find throughout this book--like the fact that "Neto" (grandson) at the end of a man's name means he's named for his grandfather! I also like that it's aimed at students who might be teaching themselves--without any prior knowledge of Portuguese. The English explanations and translations are great. Travessia teaches the everyday Portuguese one hears in Brazil. Grammar points are reinforced by numerous exercises and by the videos that accompany Travessia (available separately). The book is intended for a person learning a foreign language for the first time.

Travessia presents materials about Brazilian culture throughout the book. Another emphasis of Travessia is the development of pratical language skills (e.g. telephone, hotel, and travel vocabulary/situations). It's a thick volume with lots of good materials for a good price!

For more Brazilian books, check out Atlantico Books!