Here are a few strategies to implement to reduce your anxiety in Portuguese and avoid your “mind going blank” when you try to speak Portuguese:
- Listening to Portuguese music or podcasts
- Watching Portuguese TV shows or movies
- Reading Portuguese books or articles
- Engaging in conversations with Portuguese speakers
- Keep a journal in Portuguese
1 – Listening to Portuguese music or podcasts
Listening to Portuguese language content can help you get used to the rhythm and intonation of the language, as well as pick up new vocabulary and expressions. Here are a few examples of Portuguese music and some examples of Portuguese podcasts. If you like listening to Portuguese audiobooks try out my playlist in the link.
2 – Watching Portuguese Shows
Watching Portuguese shows and Portuguese language media can help you improve your comprehension skills and get used to different accents and dialects of the language. Click the link to see examples of how to access some of these if you don’t live in Portugal. Also here is a link to my Comprehensible Input in Portuguese playlist on youtube for beginners and for intermediates.
3 – Reading Portuguese books or articles
Reading materials in Portuguese can help you improve your reading comprehension and vocabulary, as well as expose you to different styles and registers of the language.
4 – Engaging in conversations with Portuguese speakers
Talking with native or fluent Portuguese speakers can provide you with valuable exposure to the language and help you practice your speaking and listening skills. If you are in the Algarve, near Tavira anytime, email me about joining one of my conversation groups for an hour.
5 – Keep a journal in Portuguese
Get yourself a nice notebook and start journaling your day in Portuguese. Start with simple sentences about what you have planned for the day. Change it up! The next day, write about what you did last week. Don’t have a topic for the day? Then write out words you struggle with. You’ll find that once you get started you’ll have lots to write about 😀
Remember that learning a language takes time and it’s ok to make mistakes. We’re not computers. Have fun and enjoy the process!
Are you tired of textbooks? Would you like some inspiration and ideas on what to study? Join my 30-day free Portuguese Challenge and get one daily language goal from me for 30 days. Sign up below or click the link (don’t forget to confirm your subscription.) I also have a Patreon Page if you’d like to receive exclusive learning materials from me.
Ready to Improve Your European Portuguese?
Reading about Portugal and Portuguese Tradition is great. But real progress comes from structured listening, repetition and guided practice.
Inside the Language Hub, you get:
- Audio-based lessons in European Portuguese
- Comprehension exercises
- Real-world vocabulary
- Clear explanations without overwhelming grammar
If you want to understand Portuguese beyond textbook dialogues, this is your next step.