Why do Portuguese learners often struggle with the spoken language despite years of study?

Discover a better way of learning colloquial Brazilian Portuguese with Real Spoken Portuguese: Foundations

Enroll now

I hear it from students all the time...

"I've studied Portuguese for years...went to Brazil and could barely understand anyone around me."

It’s frustrating.

They've poured time, effort, and hard-earned money into courses, mastering reading and writing—yet everyday spoken Portuguese still somehow feels like a different language.

Why does this happen—even to some dedicated learners who've studied the language for almost a decade?

The truth is, it's not their fault.

 

A huge part of it is because of how Brazilian Portuguese is traditionally taught.

Most popular courses on the market focus on teaching the standard, textbook form—the kind you need to do well on exams and academic papers.

In other words, it's "classroom Portuguese".

There's just one problem...

 

The real spoken language is a whole different animal.

The Portuguese you hear in everyday life—on the streets, in movies, TV shows, and podcasts—has significant differences from what most textbooks and apps teach.

These methods emphasize formal, written Portuguese, which—despite being the most "theoretically correct" form—very often sounds stiff and unnatural in casual conversations.

Olá! I'm Andrew 👋

I'm the creator behind Decoding Words with Andrew, a platform dedicated to teaching everyday spoken Brazilian Portuguese.

Having spent the past 24 years learning, teaching, living, and breathing the language, I understand the disconnect learners often experience when moving from "classroom Portuguese" to real-world conversations—that was me back in 2002.

Even after studying from every learning resource I could get my hands on, I couldn't figure out why I still had so much trouble understanding my Brazilian friends.

 

Here's what they don't tell you...

After years of immersion, observation, and deep study, I discovered that the spoken language is full of quirks—subtle changes native speakers make without even realizing, yet essential for understanding the real, raw, unscripted language of everyday conversations (a few of which I talk about in my popular "5 tips to understanding real spoken Brazilian Portuguese" video).

Instead of trying to figure all this stuff out on your own through years of trial-and-error, I've done the hard work so that you don't have to...

Anthony A.

"...just everything about the course is perfect. I went from knowing nothing to being able to have a conversation in português. This program has been truly life changing."

That’s why I created Real Spoken Portuguese: Foundations

This course is built on a simple premise: if your main goal in learning Portuguese is everyday conversation, you should focus on natural, spoken language from day one.

I understand that a lot of people learn the language simply because they want be able to have meaningful connections with Brazilians and access an amazing culture—not because they need to take tests and write essays.

I've distilled decades of experience into a proven, step-by-step roadmap that takes you from complete beginner to confidently building your own sentences and speaking as quickly as possible.

But here's what my students love most about it:

It's genuinely fun.

I've crafted each lesson to keep you engaged and excited for more—because the secret to getting good at Portuguese is falling in love with the language and enjoying the journey!

What you'll get

âś… 25 video lessons (11.5 hours of content)

Each lesson builds naturally on the last, guiding you from your very first words to confident communication.

âś… Comprehensive study notes

Detailed written guides covering grammar insights and key differences between spoken and written Portuguese.

âś… Downloadable audio files

Review lessons on the go—perfect for commutes, walks, or anywhere you want to practice.

âś… Lifetime access

Learn at your own pace. Come back anytime—even if I add new content in the future.

âś… Access on any device

Watch on your computer, tablet, or phone through the Kajabi app.

Get the course 👉

What makes this course different:

🎯 Focused on real-world, everyday speech

You'll learn the language Brazilians actually use in conversations—not the stiff, formal version from textbooks and apps.

🎵 Tons of real-world examples

Video clips, songs, social media posts—every lesson brings the concepts to life and keeps you engaged. This is one of the things students love most!

🗣️ In-depth pronunciation training

While most courses barely scratch the surface on Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation, I coach you on exactly how to position your mouth to articulate every sound accurately—using the backchaining technique trusted by speech therapists, singers, and actors.

🧠 A method that actually sticks

Every new word is carefully introduced in a way that reinforces what you've already learned. You'll constantly apply concepts to new contexts—so you internalize the language instead of just memorizing random phrases.

Frequently asked questions

Trenise C.

"The Real Spoken Portuguese course is unlike any other program I’ve tried. Instead of textbook phrases, Andrew teaches the real, everyday Portuguese that Brazilians actually use. The lessons are clear, engaging, and incredibly practical. What truly sets this course apart is how quickly it gets you speaking with confidence. Even my Brazilian husband is impressed by how much I’ve learned in such a short time!"

Connor R.

"Andrew’s course was by far the best resource I’ve had when starting to learn Portuguese from scratch. He teaches you in a way that is immediately useful in actual conversation. The material is useful, well thought out and engaging. I’ve used apps, online tutors and other resources, but I’ve by far had the most improvement through Andrew’s course!"

Norm C.

"The best tutorial I have found, I’m learning faster than anything I have tried. Thank you!"

Makaiko C.

"Before I found your course, I tried a number of lessons on YouTube, but did not get anywhere. This is easily the best Portuguese course online today."

Aurelio F.

"I loved your Portuguese course and learned so much...you are a wonderful teacher!"

John V.

"Andrew is really a genius! Because of his effective way of teaching, I think I could easily be fluent in Brazilian Portuguese. He surely is decoding the Portuguese language very comprehensively!"

J.S.

"This course is too good...they are honestly the best Portuguese lessons I’ve come across."

Charlie W.

"I love your course. So glad I began learning with you, Andrew!!"

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at andrew@decodingwords.com

Enroll now 👉