With over 235 million native speakers across the globe, learning Portuguese can open up significant opportunities for those who are willing to put in the time and effort. Thankfully, there are now dozens of reputable websites offering Portuguese online lessons from the comfort of your living room.
Babbel is one of the world’s best-known language learning platforms (Photo: Babbel)
From Portugal to Mozambique to Brazil, Portuguese is the seventh most-spoken language in the world. Whether you’re starting from scratch ahead of a holiday or brushing up for business, it’s never been easier to learn a new language. But with hundreds of online Portuguese online schools to choose from, picking the right one for your level and requirements can be overwhelming. To help make the decision easier, we’ve scoured the internet for the best places to find Portuguese online classes. We selected each website based on the quality of the curriculum or programme, website usability, value for money, customer reviews and range of resources.
Babbel
Babbel is one of the best-known language platforms in the world. Billed as an online classroom for self-paced learning, Babbel works best for those who are looking to get to grips with the building blocks of a language through words, phrases and concepts. Babbel Live is the latest addition to the brand’s blended learning platform, offering live individual and group lessons for those looking to practice their skills in a real-life setting. Portuguese language learners can choose from seven different levels (newcomer to refresher), as well as dedicated courses on grammar and specialist topics. From £6.99 monthly for 12 months
Learn more at Babbel.com
Portuguese Lab Academy
Portuguese Lab Academy is an online subscription platform that specialises in teaching European Portuguese to beginners, intermediate and upper-intermediate learners. Taught by Portuguese teachers using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, this Portuguese online school uses multimedia lessons with video, audio and interactive exercises, as well as dedicated resources for helping your reading, listening, speaking and writing. Learners can browse lessons in the roadmap by topic and tap into the community hub to ask questions and receive feedback. The website is easy to navigate too. It’s one of the most expensive online learning platforms on our list, but worth investing in if you’re serious about learning the language. From $350 for 12 months.
Learn more at Portugueselabacademy.com
FluentU
FLuentU uses real videos for an immersive learning experience (Photo: FluentU)
FluentU uses real-world videos – trailers, music videos, news bites, motivational speakers – to create an immersive language experience. Since each video is authentic, learners are exposed to regional differences in pronunciation, slang and vocabulary. Alongside the videos, learners take quizzes to put their knowledge to the test. There’s an excellent variety of videos on offer, though most will require at least a very basic understanding of the language. Unlike many platforms, users can choose from Brazilian and European Portuguese too. However, there’s little opportunity for speaking practice, which means that those looking to put their language skills into practice will need to combine this with another app or website. From $240 per year.
Learn more at fluentu.com
Busuu
Busuu is perfect for goal-oriented users who would like to study little and often. The platform serves up bespoke daily study goals based on your level and motivations. Portuguese lessons are available for levels ranging from beginner to advanced and largely focus on spelling and grammar exercises. Those looking to practice their spoken Portuguese can make use of the speaking and writing exchange in which learners record a message for a native speaker to review. The ‘Study Plan’ helps learners stay motivated too. For one-to-one lessons, there’s an option to upgrade to the premium package too. Free or $9.99 per month.
Learn more at Busuu.com
PortuguesePod101
Portuguese Pod 101 boasts an extensive catalogue of audio and video lessons, making it an excellent option for those looking to brush up on their reading, writing and listening skills. Learners simply select the appropriate level, from absolute beginner to advanced, then gain access to reams of tailored content. Courses are run by a dedicated team of native Portuguese writers, teachers and voice actors too.Learners can also sign up for the ‘Word of the Day’ email and flashcards. The website is less intuitive than competitor websites though it does become easier to navigate with time. Free or from $8 per month.
Learn more at portuguesepod101.com