First remember that the longest journey starts with the first step. And, as you begin traveling down this road, you must come prepared. Remember that just as on any other journey, there are incremental steps, and that you cannot expect to get to the end of it without following a well-traveled path. The following are helpful tips in the incredible linguistic expedition of acquiring Portuguese.

Relax!

Studies have shown that students do better with a language when they are less stressed about learning. Give yourself a break and don't expect to know and blurt out everything perfectly after you have heard it only once. Language learning takes time and effort, but it can be incredibly rewarding.

Use What You Learn

When learning Portuguese, concentrate on the variations of phrases or expressions instead of individual words. Don't just translate each word from/to English. Concentrating on the target language rather than on the translation will also boost your learning. Instead of lists and lists of words, try to place expressions in subcategories, according to their situation, such as “greetings,” “introductions,” or “ordering food.”

Once you have learned a new word or phrase, you should use it immediately and often, preferably in a real situation. But don't worry about saying it as a native speaker from the start. The message, or what you say, is more important than the native-sounding pronunciation, at least at first. Remember that we all have accents, even the so-called native speaker; it's just a question of degree.

Picture It

Many successful language learners use pictures to remember words in the target language. Instead of long translated lists, try creating a set of flashcards with stick-figure drawings or pictures of common vocabulary items cut out of magazines. You don't have to be an artist; just draw clearly enough for you to get the message.

Another nice idea is to simply “label” every appliance and piece of furniture in your home with adhesive labels. After a while, you will notice that you won't need the labels anymore, and the word will come to you immediately.

Study Often and in Short Bursts

Learning a new language can be tiring. It is a known fact that students who study for shorter periods of time (fifteen to twenty minutes per day, five days a week) acquire more language than those who cram their studies in one day, and only do this once in a blue moon. If you feel that you can study for a longer period of time, don't forget to take short breaks.

Use the Web

It is just incredible the wealth of information easily available to you at your fingertips. There are millions of sites written in Portuguese, with information on the culture, cuisine, entertainment, sports, and famous celebrities of Portuguese-speaking countries. Also consider joining newsgroups or checking out blogs in Portuguese or about Brazil. You will learn a lot by exchanging information with Portuguese speakers electronically.

Concentrate on Your Interests

Combine what you like about sports, cuisine, and music with your desire to learn Portuguese. Learn the vocabulary of your favorite pastimes in this newfound mode of communication. The same goes for your profession. Whether you are an architect, artist, photographer, musician, or lawyer, there are specific words in Portuguese that relate to your area of expertise. Learning those will not only make you more marketable, but will also give you a sense of connection to colleagues in the global arena.

Immerse Yourself

Try out your own version of an immersion program. If available in your area, taste a churrasco at a Brazilian restaurant, take samba or lambada dancing lessons, learn how to play capoeira, and listen to Brazilian music CDs. In some American markets, there are cable channels in Portuguese, such as Globo and RTP. Any good bookstore or local library will have travel books about Portuguese-speaking countries. Take one home and become inspired by the sites and images of exotic places. Your local video store should have at least a couple of more recent Oscar-nominated Brazilian movies. Watch with the subtitles and be amazed at how much you already know in Portuguese. Movies are also an incredible window into the culture of a country; try to find the similarities, not just the differences from your own. If you are a religious person or are curious about religious culture, try to go to a Catholic church in an area with a large Brazilian population. Because of the increase in the Brazilian population in the United States, more and more American dioceses have masses celebrated in Portuguese.