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Using FSI Portuguese | ||
Tags: Portuguese | FSI | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : Language Programs, Books & Tapes |  | |
| vikramkr Diglot Senior Member United StatesRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 6068 days ago 248 posts - 326 votes  Speaks: English*, Portuguese | Message 1 of 9 08 August 2009 at 6:47pm | IP Logged | ||
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Hello! I have just begun using FSI's Portuguese course, and have completed the first unit so far. I have some
questions about FSI: When reading some threads about FSI, people seem to indicate that 1 unit a day is an ungodly pace. Why is this so? I completed the first unit today, and it didn't seem strenuous/time-consuming, etc. Is there any memorization involved in the program, or do I just go through the program in the straightforward way it's presented? How advanced will my Portuguese be if I complete both FSI volumes of Portuguese? Thank You! - Vikram 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| TerryW Senior Member United States Joined 6356 days ago 370 posts - 783 votes Speaks: English* | Message 2 of 9 09 August 2009 at 2:53am | IP Logged | ||
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I haven't done any Portuguese, but looking at the FSI site, I see that it's an FSI "Programmatic" course? The programmatic courses I've done are step-by-step and pretty easy to use. The first X units usually break down pronunciation practice into tiny little bits, and I don't think many people consider it difficult or time-consuming to do a 1/2 hour (or so) programmatic unit. It's the FSI "Basic" courses that many consider to be "somewhat grueling." I've done some of the Spanish, French, and German FSI Basic in the past. They start with a dialog or conversation, then continue with drill after drill (after drill...) to let you practice the grammar points and vocabulary covered in the dialog. It can take a while to master a single unit in an FSI Basic course. Most people would agree that FSI Basic courses are pretty effective, with the downsides being reported as being relatively old (outdated), boring, and tedious. Edited by TerryW on 09 August 2009 at 2:59am 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| cojoda Newbie United States Joined 5759 days ago 11 posts - 12 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Portuguese, German | Message 3 of 9 12 August 2009 at 9:36pm | IP Logged | ||
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If I remember correctly, the first 6 units in FSI Portuguese Programmatic are mostly pronunciation practice. After unit 6 it does get more difficult. I have gotten to around lesson 30, but then took a much needed break from FSI. Since then I have been using other methods. I do plan on finishing the course... eventually :)
Now, this program won't take you to fluency, but it will give you the foundation to do so. It is a great program for getting you to instinctively speak with correct grammar and pronunciation. I haven't found anything better. Unfortunately, it can get a bit boring. There is no "best way" to go through the program. Remember that this course was designed to be used in conjunction with a teacher in a classroom. Find your own methods to use the material. For example, I used the translations at the end of the lessons (you will see them in later lessons) as my initial output for new vocabulary. But instead of just drilling through the same sentences repeatedly, I used them as a base to make up my own dialogs on the fly. I would just start saying whatever came to mind (trying to keep it within the context of the grammar points and vocab I was learning for that particular lesson) Good luck with Portuguese my friend! If you have anymore questions about Portuguese or the FSI course feel free to ask. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| vikramkr Diglot Senior Member United StatesRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 6068 days ago 248 posts - 326 votes Speaks: English*, Portuguese | Message 4 of 9 13 August 2009 at 9:08pm | IP Logged | ||
Great, thanks so much for the clarification! 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| vikramkr Diglot Senior Member United StatesRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 6068 days ago 248 posts - 326 votes Speaks: English*, Portuguese | Message 5 of 9 13 August 2009 at 9:10pm | IP Logged | ||
Thanks so much for the insight cojoda! Will do! 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| vikramkr Diglot Senior Member United StatesRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 6068 days ago 248 posts - 326 votes Speaks: English*, Portuguese | Message 6 of 9 08 January 2010 at 3:33am | IP Logged | ||
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Would it be OK for me to power through the course (Volumes I & II) in a few days, or should I stick to the pace of
one lesson per day? 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| Mieke Tetraglot Newbie Belgium Joined 5446 days ago 21 posts - 29 votes Speaks: Dutch*, French, English, Russian Studies: German, Spanish | Message 7 of 9 08 January 2010 at 8:26am | IP Logged | ||
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[QUOTE=cojoda]
Now, this program won't take you to fluency, but it will give you the foundation to do so. It is a great program for getting you to instinctively speak with correct grammar and pronunciation. I haven't found anything better. Unfortunately, it can get a bit boring. ---------------------- Do you mean the programmatic course or the basic course? I would like to use the Hebrew course. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| datsunking1 Diglot Senior Member United States Joined 5584 days ago 1014 posts - 1533 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish Studies: German, Russian, Dutch, French | Message 8 of 9 08 January 2010 at 7:35pm | IP Logged | ||
One lesson a day seems fine for me (I'm doing it right now actually) I think it would prevent burnout and allow yourself to focus on the material you just learned, rather than getting punched in the face by a ton of new information! -Jordan 1 person has voted this message useful |
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