Having exhausted my local library's audio books, I thought I'd see what's available to purchase online. Here's what Audible.co.uk has to offer. This page is linked to Amazon, I'm not sure if that means that it's a sister company or just a seller on Amazon. I haven't investigated.
Stats first
When you type in 'Portuguese', 33 hits come up. Of these 3 are unrelated to audio courses for language learning: one is the first of a three part novel about an eccentric linguistics professor by Alexander McCall Smith entitled Portuguese irregular verbs; another is Psalms for Leaders in Portuguese; and the final one is Rattapallaz 9, an American (US) poetry magazine. So that leaves 30. For the English speaker there are 9 which bear no relevance as they are published by Dr L’nov and are called variously simply Portuguese or I Speak Portuguese (in the other languages) for Italian/German/French/Japanese speakers. Unless of course you want an extra challenge.
Now that we’ve eliminated these, what of the other 21? They have a problem that many (not all of course, more of that in the future) audio books/podcasts/apps have is that they are specifically for learning for holidays or basic introductory language. What do you do when you are at that tricky false beginner who can read lots but hasn't grasped the aural, but wants to get beyond 'hello' and 'what is the local speciality' level? Portuguese definitely is poorly served as a language. It needs more of everything. Enough of my ranting. So, what does this page offer? Audible lets you listen to a sample of all of their offerings, which is great, and means that you can listen before you buy, and, in the case of some of them get a little giggle. You can decide for yourself which courses tickle your fancy, appeal to your learning style, or suit your needs. I have listened to all and divided these into holiday, introductory, and beginners to intermediate from what I have heard. There are courses which could do with having better clips. The difference as to what they aim to teach you is subtle in some and, there is an overlap in many as none are highly specialist language learning (eg no Portuguese for wave engineers). Therefore, you can take it that all of the audio courses will help you on holiday and most will give you a sense of the basics in Portuguese.
Holiday language (HL)
These are specifically those that are designed for you to learn for or on the way to your holiday. Often these involve a limited cast of characters and situations. Keep it simple seems to be the motto all the way through. A key problem of these can be that they presuppose that every situation is going to predictable and that the person will respond in ways that the tape will suggest.
Introductory courses (IC)
These are sometimes part one of several or simply don’t over identify themselves with a given scenario (eg holidays) but give you a start in the language.
Beginners to Intermediate (BI)
Ones that get you started and then beyond the basics.
Collins 40 minutes Portuguese – they make a grand claim that by listening to this, repeating the words and phrases, you should have no problem getting by. Are all situations that predictable? Music is deeply irritating both grandiose and tinkly, if you can imagine. (IC)
Collins Easy Learning Audio Course – this is like it came from a different company than the previous course. It is much longer, and quite a comprehensive introductory course to Portuguese. There are a variety of speakers and exercises, clear instructions and helpful tips. Would have liked a sample class on Audible. (BI)
BBC Get By in Portuguese and also by the BBC Quickstart Portuguese are clear, straightforward and well articulated with those easy to understand BBC accents and vowel sounds. (IC)
InFlight Portuguese – It may well require a longer flight than it takes to get to Portugal from this end of the world, but maybe you want to go to Mozambique, Madeira or Brazil. This one is very dull and encourages you to listen rather than actively use your language. I’m not sure that those sharing your flight will appreciate you repeating so, it is just a lot of ‘this it how you say this word and what it means’, not useful unless you want to brush up or have a brilliant memory. Maybe use in the hire car on your way around your Portuguese speaking destination. (HL)
Here’s another that suggests that you have to do little to learn Portuguese, and the airplane image on the front (as well as the name) suggest that you will learn on the way. eTicket Portuguese takes it slowly, explains things clearly and repeats, which is very useful. It does claim that you won’t need to take notes, I suppose you can’t if it’s only audio and it doesn’t give you any clues as to Portuguese spelling. I seems to be for those going on the ferry or renting a car and learning while there or just learning at home stuck in traffic vocabulary. Words and phrases are repeated rather slowly. Q&A format. (HL)
Michel Thomas Sample and Introductory Course – there are those who swear by the MT system. He is a psychologist who has devised a method which claims that you don’t have to learn anything off, no memorising or drills or homeworks, just listen to the cds regularly, chill out and follow the instructions. It works for some. I find it hard not to worry and to relax, not for me. (HL)
Vocabulearn: Levels 1 & 2 the samples given just had the repetition of words by a Portuguese woman
followed by a deep male US voice giving the English version. They seem displaced from anything; just random new words. I need contexts to build associations. (BI)
Survival Phrases.com Learn Brazilian Survival Phrases 1-30 and 31-60 breaks the words down and gives the specific cultural context. There is a narrative surrounding your learning. Words are broken down by syllable, as well as said quickly. It builds on association eg with obrigado it suggests that you may feel obligated when you say thank you. It may help some. Too many of these are lists. (HL)
Teach Yourself this is a tried and tested method which comes with or without a book. I have been using the book. The music is a little irritating, but it does plunge you into realistic situations where you don’t know all the vocabulary and prompt you to seek out key information, which is also quite realistic. I’ve used their material in the past and have mixed feeling about the books but the audio seems good and with better supporting material could be much improved. Their music is a little irritating. (BI)
RX: Freedom to Travel Language Series This is a new one on me, language for people with special needs whether they are nutritional, mobility or health related. I have never come across one which came with a health warning before. The sample tells you how to tell your host/ restaurant that ‘I have a food allergy/special diet’ with chill out hippy sounds playing in the background. If this is your language need, I guess this is your course. (HL)
Another with music at its centre is Earworms Rapid Portuguese. I’m drawn to this one as it made me giggle. It is presented in the style of a conversation, with the dialogue and repetitions in rhythm with the music, which is a kind of chill out trance (not an expert on electronic, but strikes me as such). The voices are very friendly and warm which is very appealing. Personally, I think I’d get tired of the music and the loungey style very soon. (IC)
This may change, more may be added. My search was carried out on the 9th of April 2010.
