FSI From Spanish to Portuguese Course

Overview

This language course, produced by the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), is built explicitly for learners who already speak Spanish and wish to learn Portuguese. The material is designed to leverage your existing Spanish knowledge, showing both the strengths and pitfalls of using Spanish as a foundation when learning Portuguese. The course focuses on practical comparisons between the two languages, aiming to help you transfer skills and recognize where differences are most likely to cause confusion. Covering three key units and structured to be completed in about two weeks, it addresses pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and some cultural aspects relevant to Brazilian Portuguese.

Key Topics and Skills

Sound System and Pronunciation

One of the main pillars of this course is the thorough comparison of Spanish and Portuguese sounds. Early sections guide you through the vowel and consonant systems, highlighting areas where direct transfer is possible and where caution is needed. For instance:

- Vowel Changes: While Spanish has five simple vowels, Portuguese features several additional vowel sounds, including new nasal vowels and subtle unstressed vowel shifts. You’ll practice distinguishing and producing these differences, which are illustrated with helpful cognates.

- Diphthongs and Consonants: The course explains which diphthongs and consonants overlap and which do not, preparing you for common pronunciation pitfalls.

- Dialect Nuances: There are notes on major dialect differences, especially within Brazilian Portuguese, so you’re not caught off guard by regional variations.

Grammar Structures

The grammar section is both practical and comparative. It outlines similarities and differences between Spanish and Portuguese structures, focusing on areas where interference is most common:

- Word Order: You’ll see how questions and answers are structured in both languages, with special attention on interrogative and yes–no constructions.

- Negation: The text explains the use of negatives, including unique expressions in Portuguese that differ from Spanish.

- Contractions: Portuguese contractions are explained, helping you avoid literal translations from Spanish.

- Verb System: This is a major focus, with detailed attention to:

- Regular and irregular verb forms.

- Key differences in verb constructions (for example, the Portuguese use of "ir + infinitive" vs. the Spanish "ir + a + infinitive").

- Usage of verbs like "ser" and "estar," including contexts and nuances.

- Introduction to the future subjunctive and personal infinitive, both of which have no direct equivalent in Spanish.

- Nominals: This section covers object pronouns, their placement, and usage, as well as noun and adjective gender, especially focusing on cognates and exceptions such as the word for "two."

- Articles and Gender: Special notes help you spot where Portuguese diverges from familiar Spanish patterns.

Vocabulary and Cognates

Understanding the overlap and divergence in vocabulary is a highlight of this course:

- Cognate Patterns: Since a significant portion of Portuguese words have Spanish cognates, the course teaches you to exploit this, but also warns that not every word has a direct equivalent. You’ll learn to spot regular patterns and recognize exceptions.

- False Cognates: There’s a dedicated section on false friends, helping you avoid embarrassing or confusing mistakes.

- Vocabulary Transfer: Strategies for safely and accurately transferring vocabulary from Spanish to Portuguese are presented, with plenty of examples.

Supplementary Pronunciation Practice

The final section offers targeted pronunciation exercises. You’re encouraged to use them at the start of your studies, especially to break old Spanish habits and adopt correct Portuguese pronunciation from the outset.

Specific Grammar Points, Vocabulary Themes, and Cultural Elements

Grammar Points

- Vowels: Special attention to unstressed vowels and their effects on meaning and sound.

- Verb Tenses: Comparisons between Spanish and Portuguese tenses, with a focus on forms and idiomatic usage.

- Sentence Structure: The difference in word order, especially in questions and negative sentences.

- Pronouns and Articles: Placement and agreement, with alerts to common transfer errors.

Vocabulary Themes

- Everyday vocabulary is presented through cognates and non-cognates, with examples from basic nouns, adjectives, and verbs.

- Special attention is given to words that look similar but have different meanings, and to essential vocabulary without a Spanish equivalent.

Cultural Elements

- The course is based on Brazilian Portuguese but notes that most content is also relevant for European Portuguese.

- There’s an emphasis on spoken language and natural usage, reflecting real-life communication rather than just textbook forms.

Teaching Methodology and Approach

This course follows a comparative, contrastive approach. It’s direct and conversational, making heavy use of parallel examples to illustrate the relationship between Spanish and Portuguese. The material is non-technical, avoiding jargon, and instead explains concepts in plain language. You’ll find:

- Step-by-Step Guidance: Each topic is introduced with reference to Spanish, then contrasted with the equivalent in Portuguese.

- Cognate-Focused Learning: Examples heavily feature cognates, making the transition feel more familiar.

- Practical Notes: The author frequently points out common pitfalls and provides tips to help you avoid interference from Spanish.

- Flexible Use: While it’s recommended to start with pronunciation, you’re encouraged to dip into grammar and vocabulary sections as they become relevant to your own learning sequence.

The content is structured in four main parts: Sounds, Grammar, Vocabulary Transfer, and Supplementary Pronunciation. Each part builds logically, so you’re not overwhelmed by too much new information at once.

Progression and Structure

The course is divided into three main units, designed to be completed over two weeks or more. It starts with the essentials—sounds and pronunciation—before moving on to grammar and vocabulary. The progression is intentional:

1. Sounds: Start here to prevent Spanish pronunciation habits from interfering with your Portuguese.
2. Grammar: Once you’re comfortable with basic pronunciation, move on to sentence structures, verb forms, and usage.
3. Vocabulary Transfer: As you gain confidence, explore the patterns and exceptions in vocabulary, with special attention to false cognates.
4. Pronunciation Practice: Continual reinforcement helps solidify new habits.

Each section builds on the previous one, ensuring you have a strong foundation before moving to more advanced topics. The comparative method lets you capitalize on your Spanish while staying alert to the traps that can lead to errors.

Target Audience and Prerequisites

This course is best for learners who already have a good command of Spanish. It’s especially effective for adults or students who are comfortable analyzing language patterns and are willing to compare and contrast as they learn. No prior exposure to Portuguese is required, but you should be able to read and understand Spanish confidently.

If you’re looking to make the switch from Spanish to Portuguese as efficiently as possible—and want to avoid the most common mistakes—this course is an excellent fit. It’s suitable for self-study or classroom use, and while it’s tailored to Brazilian Portuguese, much of the content is applicable to European Portuguese learners as well.

Summary

To sum up, the FSI "From Spanish to Portuguese" course offers a carefully structured, practical guide for Spanish speakers moving into Portuguese. You’ll work through key differences in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary, all explained in a way that relates directly to your existing knowledge. The material is straightforward, with plenty of side-by-side examples and clear explanations. If you’re ready to build on your Spanish and avoid unnecessary confusion as you start Portuguese, this course will give you the tools, strategies, and confidence you need. Just bring your Spanish skills and a willingness to compare and adapt, and you’re set for a successful transition.