Language learning is part of preparing to listen, build relationships, and serve. A realistic routine is more useful than treating fluency as one task to finish.
Start here: You Can Learn the Language. Start Now. My experience learning Portuguese, with practical ways to start listening, practicing, and using the language.
Set aside regular time for listening, speaking, reading, and review. Use a teacher or language partner who can correct you, and practice the words you need in ordinary daily situations.
Pay attention to how people ask questions, show respect, explain ideas, and tell stories. Keep a small list of expressions you hear often and practice using them in conversation.
Discuss your study schedule with your family and ministry partners. Protect time to learn while leaving room to use the language in real relationships.
Browse the resource library for other preparation tools, or get in touch if you have a question about language learning in Brazil.
Practice in everyday life: You Don’t Know the Word? Keep Talking. How to describe what you need and learn through the effort of communicating.
I’m Mike Schmidt, a missionary to Brazil. This site shares practical resources from one missionary to another.