There are a big load of losers out there in the world of online cyber games...
Most of them play Mob Wars on facebook applications.
:o)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Learning Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro definitivamente é uma muito legal cidade! Eu amo aqui.
I really think that Rio de Janeiro is the most friendly city I have ever been to. It is always given a bad reputation that in some ways is due for its crime, but if you are sensible and self aware, I think the majority of problems can be avoided.
Anyway, I have a few pieces of advice for "A Cidade Maravilhosa".
Learning the Language... It all depends on how much you want to spend on learning and how self motivated you are to learn.
There are hundreds of language classes available here, some look more reputable than others. I have never used these, but I hear they are reasonably expensive (at least by south american standards)
Other options are to find an independent teacher. This is possibly the best paid option as you will reap the benefits of one to one interaction, whilst making sure that the money actually goes to a person who needs it (i.e. the teacher) and not a big company.
I use a book that I bought from a shop here named "português, um curso para estrangeiros". It is hard work, but if you buy a dictionary to translate the tough words, it will progressively improve your language skills.
The fourth option is come here and make friends. Learn at least a little Portuguese before you arrive, and soon you will have lots of new friends. Brazilians love to meet new people from other countries, and are always impressed when someone has bothered to learn their language too. It is not globally widely spoken and for many it may not be the best language for most to learn. Big Kudos for this.
And the best option by far is to incorporate all of the above ideas!
If you really want to stay in the home of a Brazilian, make some Brazilian contacts first. they may be able to point you in the direction of people interested in this too.
I use a website called http://www.couchsurfing.com, which is based on building trust as a community and meeting other like minded travellers. If "couchsurfing" seems a bit too far out for you as a concept, do not dismiss the website completely. the Rio de Janeiro group is a great place to meet other locals and travellers in the area, and can help in arranging meetings, for coffee/tourist activities/dancing/drinking etc.
another place to check out is http://gringoes.com, I don't know much about it, but it could be useful as it has a lot of information from people going to/living in Brazil and other south american countries.
I hope some of this might help!
Abraço
Matt
I really think that Rio de Janeiro is the most friendly city I have ever been to. It is always given a bad reputation that in some ways is due for its crime, but if you are sensible and self aware, I think the majority of problems can be avoided.
Anyway, I have a few pieces of advice for "A Cidade Maravilhosa".
Learning the Language... It all depends on how much you want to spend on learning and how self motivated you are to learn.
There are hundreds of language classes available here, some look more reputable than others. I have never used these, but I hear they are reasonably expensive (at least by south american standards)
Other options are to find an independent teacher. This is possibly the best paid option as you will reap the benefits of one to one interaction, whilst making sure that the money actually goes to a person who needs it (i.e. the teacher) and not a big company.
I use a book that I bought from a shop here named "português, um curso para estrangeiros". It is hard work, but if you buy a dictionary to translate the tough words, it will progressively improve your language skills.
The fourth option is come here and make friends. Learn at least a little Portuguese before you arrive, and soon you will have lots of new friends. Brazilians love to meet new people from other countries, and are always impressed when someone has bothered to learn their language too. It is not globally widely spoken and for many it may not be the best language for most to learn. Big Kudos for this.
And the best option by far is to incorporate all of the above ideas!
If you really want to stay in the home of a Brazilian, make some Brazilian contacts first. they may be able to point you in the direction of people interested in this too.
I use a website called http://www.couchsurfing.com, which is based on building trust as a community and meeting other like minded travellers. If "couchsurfing" seems a bit too far out for you as a concept, do not dismiss the website completely. the Rio de Janeiro group is a great place to meet other locals and travellers in the area, and can help in arranging meetings, for coffee/tourist activities/dancing/drinking etc.
another place to check out is http://gringoes.com, I don't know much about it, but it could be useful as it has a lot of information from people going to/living in Brazil and other south american countries.
I hope some of this might help!
Abraço
Matt
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