I know how busy the festive seasons are! Especially if you have little kids! Add all the planning, travel, and family engagements and you’re left with zero time for anything else! However, it’s essential to find ways to retain progress during the Holidays without this feeling like an additional burden. Moreover, it can and should be fun too! Below are suggestions with Christmas as a central theme, but if you’re not into the season then consider trying my 30 day Portuguese Challenge.
1. Advent Calendar
Firstly, check in on the Advent Calendars I’ve prepared for a short daily Portuguese Lesson! They are less than a minute long and all in Portuguese. There are four to choose from and they re-set every year too!
2. Festive Vocabulary
Learn and use festive vocabulary to integrate Portuguese into your holiday preparations. Label your decorações (decorations) or make a list of holiday-related words. It’s a subtle way to keep the language present. Below are some quick links for quick access. Don’t forget to let me know which word you prefer!
Festive Greetings in Portuguese
Christmas Vocabulary
3. Short Daily Moments
Instead of dedicating large amounts of time, incorporate short, daily language moments. This could be reviewing flashcards, listening to a Portuguese podcast during a short break, or even changing your phone language settings. I have a few posts with longer videos about Christmas with me speaking in Portuguese that you can watch and hone your comprehension. How about looking at a recipe?
4. Family Involvement
If you have family members around, involve them in your language learning. Perhaps you can teach them a few holiday phrases or play simple language games together. This not only keeps you engaged but also shares your language journey with loved ones.
5. Multitasking
Combine language practice with other activities. For instance, listen to Portuguese music while wrapping presents or switch your social media to Portuguese for exposure during your online breaks. If you’re in the mood for Christmas songs, here are a few I sang myself (if you can bear my non-singer voice):
6. Set Realistic Goals
Understand that this is a busy time, so set realistic language-learning goals. Perhaps aim for a specific number of new words or phrases per week, keeping it manageable within your schedule!!
7. Reflect and Celebrate
Take a moment to reflect on your language-learning journey. Celebrate the progress you’ve made so far, even if it’s small. Positive reinforcement can help keep you motivated!
In Conclusion
Remember, the key is to make language learning a natural part of your daily life, especially during busy times. By incorporating it into activities you already enjoy, you can maintain your progress without it feeling like a chore.
If you’re looking for other tips on things you can do that are not Christmas-themed, try out my 30-Day Portuguese Challenge!
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