Customer Reviews

Teach Yourself Portuguese; A complete audio course for beginners (Teach Yourself Books)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This course is for both European and Brazilian Portuguese. It systematically shows the differences and tells the learner how to switch over between the two. Grammar explanations are more detailed than usual in most language courses. Vocabulary is very practical, what you need to communicate. The course is user-friendly and actually teaches you the language. Better still if you buy the latest edition, 2002. It has lots of extra real life material, exercises (all with key), and has both CDs and Cassettes.

A while ago my company decided to expand into Portugal and I didn't speak a word of Portuguese. This course has helped me. The grammar explanations are excellent and there is a lot of guidance throughout the book on pronunciation. The vocabulary is practical and is supported by a two-way (i.e. Portuguese-English and English-Portuguese) mini-dictionary at the back of the book. The speakers on the tape have different accents, which has helped me 'fine tune my ear'. I believe that a sign of the quality of the book is the comments that I receive on my business trips saying how well I can speak Portuguese.

I also like the fact that the book educates you as to the cultural aspects of the country eg Fado singing as well as historic landmarks to visit eg the tower of Belim. I have also found this useful in helping me build up business relationships in that I can show I know something about the country and I always have a place in mind for when I am offered as a trip somewhere as part of my visit! Yet another strong point is that the book also covers Brazilian Portuguese. I shall be needing that too.

Teach Yourself Portuguese by Manuela Cook is both for European and Brazilian Portuguese. It systematically shows the differences and helps the learner to switch over between the two. Grammar explanations are more detailed than usual in most language courses. Vocabulary is very practical, what you need to communicate. The course is user-friendly and actually teaches you the language. Better still if you buy the new edition, of 2002. It has lots of extra real life material and exercises (all with key) and has both CDs and Cassettes. Highly recommended!

Teach Yourself Portuguese by Manuela Cook is both for European and Brazilian Portuguese. It systematically shows the differences and helps the learner to switch over between the two. Grammar explanations are more detailed than usual in most language courses. Vocabulary is very practical, what you need to communicate. The course is user-friendly and actually teaches you the language. Better still if you buy the new edition, of 2002. It has lots of extra real life material and exercises (all with key) and has both CDs and Cassettes. Highly recommended!

Teach Yourself Portuguese by Manuela Cook is both for European and Brazilian Portuguese. It systematically shows the differences and helps the learner to switch over between the two. Grammar explanations are more detailed than usual in most language courses. Vocabulary is very practical, what you need to communicate. The course is user-friendly and actually teaches you the language. Better still if you buy the new edition, of 2002. It has lots of extra real life material and exercises (all with key) and has both CDs and Cassettes. Highly recommended!

This book is only so-so and not ideal for learning Portuguese. I recommend getting the much newer "Teach Yourself Brazilian Portuguese"-- even if you're only interested in standard Portuguese because it's a newer book and uses a more modern and effective programme.

I'm very disappointed with my purchase. The 'complete audio course' consisted of a book marked with a 50 cent label, and there were no CDs or tapes included.