This website is just a little hobby really.  Although there are some adverts on it to cover the running costs, the intention of this site is not to make a profit.  To earn a living, I develop software (mainly nBill - a billing component for the Joomla Content Management System), and provide Joomla hosting services.

I am married, and our daughter was born in February '07.

I learned Portuguese after buying a second-hand linguaphone course, which was the main tool I used for learning the language.

I wrote the contents of this site as a document while I was on holiday in the Algarve.  It wasn't intended to be a website to start with - it was more for my own benefit really, to document what I had learned and highlight any gaps in my understanding.  One or two friends also wanted a copy, but while on holiday again a couple of years later I decided to build it into a website so that I could keep it up-to-date more easily.  Since then it has grown a bit, and I've been able to add more features (like sound files and photos).

My other interests include classical guitar, chess, astronomy, aquatics, films, weight-lifting, wine and beer making, and various other things that I don't get time for these days!

Comments

Written by Julie on 2007-02-18 22:40:23 IP: 72.140.255.101 WOW, thanks for this web site. I googled and ended up here. It's a great piece of info and very helpful. I am learning Portuguese with the intention of moving to Mozambique. Keep it up. Congrats on the baby coming in March. Tchau!

GREAT JOB!! Written by KK on 2007-02-26 19:50:31 IP: 207.10.54.33 This is honestly one of the most selfless, amazing sites I've seen on the web. You are providing such an incredible resource for others! I am currently in the process of learning Castellano, but will later pick up Portuguese. Your techniques are globally useful even for those of us who are not yet ready to begin learning the language.    Bravo & Kudos!! Best of luck to you & your wife, and congratulations on the new addition to the family!

Awesome !!! Written by Saad Suleman on 2007-03-08 11:25:10 IP: 202.133.74.57 I have found this website to be truely amazing and awesome!!! You sir, have done wonders to my Portuguese for which I am truly grateful.

Thanks for a wonderful site and congrats Written by Claire on 2007-04-11 19:42:27 IP: 86.129.15.100 Thank you so much for such a useful, well put together and easy to navigate site. The content is brilliant and explained in a way even my simple mind can understand. I'm currently revising for my second year uni exams (I study Portuguese and Brazilian studies) and this site is really helping me to get to grips with the stuff that I should definitely already know by now!     Best of luck to you and your family - I hope the baby is well, she looks absolutely adorable judging by her pictures :-)    Claire

Wonderful Written by Niels on 2007-05-02 00:54:32 IP: 190.40.103.38 I am glad to see that people like you put this kind of effort in helping other people, as far as I saw your web page is very good and as I am starting to learn Portuguese, this is one of the most useful web pages I have found over the Internet and believe me there are only a few of them which deserve this sort of merit.    Thanks for all your help.

Congratulations! Good job! Written by Carlos Augusto Curi on 2007-05-28 12:03:39 IP: 201.48.122.16 Parabéns pela qualidade de tudo com o que você nos brindou. Um exemplo de boa vontade para com os povos de Lingua Portuguesa. Apesar de ser despretencioso este documentário está impregnado de muito carinho pelo que observamos. Em meu nome e no de minha esposa Andréa vos cumprimentamos. Parabéns e que sejam sempre muito felizes.    [Ed - Rough Translation: Congratulations on the quality of everything you have presented us with. An example of goodwill towards the people of the Portuguese language. Whilst unpretentious, much care/fondness has gone into this site, from what we can see. In my name, and that of my wife Andréa, we greet you. Congratulations, and may you always be very happy.]

Written by Mary on 2007-06-17 22:53:41 IP: 195.93.102.10 I am in my 70s and finding Portuguese extremely difficult! However, your site is wonderful and has been extremely helpful. Obrigada

ótimo trabalho Written by Nour on 2007-08-27 09:23:38 IP: 81.192.188.151 Muito obrigado pelo seu esforço. Tentei aprender Português porque estou namorando uma brasileira. achei seu site muito interessente. Um forte abraço.

Good job! Written by Daniel on 2007-09-13 11:53:09 IP: 195.14.65.67 I am teaching my friend Portuguese and just came across your website - very helpful and informative. I shall use it as a reference for home-teaching.    Well done!

Portuguese Films? Written by Steve on 2007-11-28 14:07:51 IP: 62.254.210.79 Hi, I was wondering if you know of any European Portuguese spoken films with English subtitles I can buy on DVD in the UK? I'm self studying and having lessons now, and thoroughly enjoying it all but I think I will benefit from hearing more spoken Portuguese so thought that watching some films may help? What do you think??    Thanks, Steve

DVDs Written by Administrator on 2007-11-29 09:13:54 IP: 80.3.252.130 Watching films in Portuguese with English subtitles, or even in English with Portuguese subtitles can be helpful - I learned a few phrases by watching films in Portugal and Brazil (well, on the cruise ship off the coast of Brazil!) - including a few swear words!     You are likely to find English films with Portuguese subtitles on DVD fairly easily in UK high street shops, but Portuguese soundtracks are a little more hard to come by, and you will probably have to get them by mail order.    Try these links:    www.europeanbookshop.com/languagebooks/subject/POR/m7  www.moviemail-online.co.uk/countries/Portugal  www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_d_h_?url=search-alias%3Ddvd&field-keywords=portuguese&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go

Written by Micky on 2008-03-10 03:03:24 IP: 116.228.36.130 Thank you so much for so much sharing and i am learning Portuguese myslef. This website could be my best teacher. Millions of thanks.

Thank you for lovely web site. Written by Hajime on 2008-06-28 20:24:52 IP: 77.54.106.182 Such a great web site!!  I really appreciate for your beautiful work.  Thank you!!

Thankyou! Written by Helena on 2008-09-15 14:48:47 IP: 81.155.66.219 Thankyou very much for creating this website. Finally, I have found a site which exists to help people as opposed to making a profit! I haven't started learning portuguese yet (will do in a couple of weeks) but this will definitely be on my favourites list! I am in my second year of A levels so was wondering whether this will be too much of a challenge...

Also thanks! Written by cloud on 2008-12-13 20:18:18 IP: 202.103.207.38 Thank you very much for your effort, because through your website, I could learn English and Portuguese together.

Thanks! Written by Ivan on 2009-01-30 10:46:29 IP: 83.224.212.33 I'm an Italian boy with friends in Brazil and your site is so useful!! Unfortnately I've found it only after having bought some expensive course-books...uff, however you are great! Thanks again!

thank youu! Written by Sophia on 2009-02-07 21:26:34 IP: 76.192.96.63 i've just begun self-learning portuguese, and have been finding it difficult to find sources on european portuguese, which i'm more interested in. i live in the states, and most of the learning aids i've found were on brazilian portuguese. i'm so glad to have found your site, and i greatly appreciate the work you've put into this!

mr Written by doron on 2009-06-03 23:42:14 IP: 86.162.151.6 This site is amazing! I'm really greatful that you have gone to the trouble of producing this it, and free of charge as well!!    Thank you xx

So much fun Written by Linda T. on 2009-06-18 01:10:37 IP: 69.242.107.199 I always like to surprise people living in the USA from other countries by speaking a few words from their native country. You should see their shocked faces when I say a few words in Turkish, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, etc. ... and now, I have a chance to say a few words in Portuguese when I visit a local spa owned by a lovely Brazilian woman! I am sure she will be delighted! Thank you so much--I have learned enough to at least say a few words and maybe have a chance to learn more from her! Your story is lovely and I enjoyed it so much...

European Portuguese Written by Arturo Mendez on 2009-11-07 13:41:34 IP: 66.98.6.104 Dear Russell:    I googled for European Portuguese and yours was the first site that popped in the search; I like it very much. My grandfather was Portuguese, and I am interested in learning European Portuguese as pure as possible. I have nothing against Brazilian Portuguese, it is just that I would like to learn the European version. It has been difficult to find material pertaining just to European Portuguese. May you please inform me some useful software, a good grammar book, and other related books, that deal only with European Portuguese? Thank you very much for your advice.    Best regards, Arturo Mendez, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

European/Brazilian Written by Administrator on 2009-11-07 13:44:18 IP: 81.103.153.54 I cannot recommend any specific books, software, or courses, as I have not looked at anything like that for a long time. However, I doubt you will find anything comprehensive that does not deal at all with Brazilian Portuguese, as even if you are learning European Portuguese, you still need to know about Brazilian alternatives. Even if you are a purist, a little knowledge of Brazilian is useful.

Written by Daniel on 2010-11-18 09:55:43 IP: 24.141.41.153 An excellent site. Two things, however:  In your lessons, you don't make much reference to the subjunctive, and its formation and use aren't really explained. The subjunctive is a very important mood in romance languages and is important to becoming fluent; thus you should include a bit more about it.  And the other, you explain how this is Brazilian Portuguese, not that of Portugal, but one of your topics could be about the major differences between them, such as the abolition of tu in favour of voce (my apologies for the missing accent; irksome computer), and o senhor/a senhora to replace voce.  But overall, a wonderful site!

Subjunctive Written by Administrator on 2010-11-18 09:59:00 IP: 81.98.116.139 I did not include much on the subjunctive because at the time of writing I was not familiar enough with how it works to explain it confidently (I am not a qualified language teacher remember, just a student!). I did learn more about it later, but more recently I have had very little opportunity to practise Portuguese, so I am going rusty again!

Thank You! Written by Eloise on 2011-01-12 20:10:49 IP: 86.26.173.88 I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to put this together, I have found it very helpful, more so than anything else i've used. Obrigada!

Thank You! Written by Matthew on 2011-01-31 01:02:50 IP: 76.216.250.216 I am so glad that I finally found site that teaches European Portuguese instead of only Brazilian, and one that is free at that! I have been trying to learn Portuguese for many years to recover a part of my family’s heritage and you site has been a great help. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication. Muito Obrigado!!!

Written by Tomás Pinho on 2011-02-24 17:05:56 IP: 83.132.210.222 I'd just like to thank Mr. Russell Walker who is putting an effort on helping other learn a language which isn't even his native tongue. I'm a portuguese native speaker and I'm quite impressed by the fact you actually care about european portuguese so kudos to you!    If anyone ever has a doubt on the subject, I'm an european level C2 english speaker and I'm willing to help you out! Just send an e-mail to:    tomasapinho [at] gmail [dot] com

Thank you. Written by Amit Adhikari on 2011-03-02 15:22:12 IP: 115.118.218.83 Oh I would like to thank you with all my heart. You have no idea (or maybe you do hehe) how much your website is helping me learn Portuguese. After many days of drifting through different websites on the internet I finally found one that's effective and really thorough. I'm really grateful to you. But I had a suggestion to make. It would've been nice to include a 'test yourself' section at the end of each chapter or something like that, you know so that we could revise everything we learnt altogether. Lol I'm saying because I tend to forget the past chapters as I learn forward. Sorry if I sound as if I'm demanding or something. I know it's just your hobby but could you please think about it in your spare time ? That'd be so cool =D But even if you don't it's ok because this website is already so helpful enough to ask for more hehe =)

Thank you and question! Written by Nora on 2011-05-10 22:56:53 IP: 66.31.201.117 Thanks for this great resource— I am a U.S. resident with friends in Porto, and I'm eager to learn continental Portuguese. Unfortunately there are basically no classes available in it here in the states— it's universally Brazilian Portuguese in the available classes.    I checked out the linguaphone site which looks great, but it looks like it's only for the UK. Have you heard of a Continental Portuguese audio program available in the US?    Thanks!    -Nora

wonderful Written by Leo on 2011-05-11 10:07:05 IP: 60.20.2.134 I am a Chinese,I learned English in my school time,now I want to learned another foreign language--portuguese,I have leared it with my great effort for 2 months,but with little progress,Today I am glad to find you by Chance,the site is wonderful and is suppose to be of great help.Thank you very much

Congratulations! Written by Angelica on 2011-06-02 17:45:42 IP: 92.25.131.124 I am a brazilian native living in the UK for the past 2 years and I am really impressed with this website, I haven't fully seen it but what I have seen so far impressed me very much.  The fact that it comes from a learner notes makes it even better to understand how the English speakers understand the portuguese language.  I just would like to congratulate you and offer some 'free help' if you still need some. I will start giving lessons to someone in here and will use this website as a help guide along with my material. I might also be building some exercises based on each topic to give to my student and I could e-mail them to you so the learners that visit the website can also get some practice.  And if anyone needs a hand, you can always contact me!  Many thanks,  Angelica

Nice!!! Written by Angelina on 2011-06-14 08:19:03 IP: 84.249.75.82 I just started to study Portuguese language 2 weeks ago and so far this site has been more useful than my lessons. Thank you so much for doing this   Greetings from Finland!!

Muito bom! Written by Lied Santos on 2011-06-22 19:58:43 IP: 71.196.56.152 Thank you so much for the information! I am always searching for more sources of information online to share with my students. Thanks!

Written by Tania on 2011-06-25 00:53:34 IP: 82.3.118.127 Wow! So impressive. I have learnt so much this evening from this website, and I have been trying to learn the Portuguese language since 09. Congratulations! Excellent work, and thank you. If too would like to add, (even though I am a native) If can help, and add any suggestions or have any materials, that would be of benefit to this site, I can send them your way? I think it is a great resource, and hope it goes from strength to strength. Also very impressed by you story, just come back from the algarve and am in love with that place.    Angelica, I am looking for a tutor to help me with my Grammar, I am based in London, would you be interested in helping me? Please let me know.    Tchau people   Beijos xx

Abrigado!Muito bom! Written by Wes on 2011-09-13 09:34:17 IP: 83.15.223.178 Congratulations.I appreciate your great job.I started to study Portuguese a few weeks ago.This site will help me a lot for my study.Many thanks.

Written by Naveed Hasan on 2011-09-28 09:21:28 IP: 82.45.36.101 Great work done. We don't have many people in this world who do something selflessly.

attractive site Written by Michael on 2011-10-08 14:09:52 IP: 2.103.35.141 I keep bumping itno this site and fidn it incredible. Thank you for making this very friendly site.   Your journey is most inspirational

heyy Written by georgie on 2011-12-05 18:01:09 IP: 86.26.58.150 i want to say thank you for this website, i am only 11 and i find this site VERY helpful, i want to learn this because my friend is portuguese and she never really understands much that is going around, i need to learn this language so i can have a conversation with her and she understands!     Obrigada!

Written by James Loomis on 2012-03-12 15:33:35 IP: 75.49.13.3 My capabilities in Portuguese, such as they are, come from doing business in Brazil over a period of seven years and from arranging for a seven week intensive course here in the states for my employees and myself given by a young lady from Rio who now resides here. My wife and I will be visiting Portugal (Drouo River Cuirse) in late September. Your site has been most helpful. Thank you. Jim

Written by malcolm george on 2012-06-13 06:07:49 IP: 94.175.33.129 What an incredible site! It's the detail and minutae of the explanations of differences between the English and Portugese comprehension that make it so engaging to a new learner. No other site comes close to being as user friendly and informative. Very well done indeed.

Mrs Written by Rosemary de Ponte on 2012-07-20 00:54:28 IP: 85.244.182.214 God has blessed you with a special gift, thank you so much for sharing. I have been looking for something like this for over 50 years. From the bottom of my heart - thankyou!

Written by Kaya Jacolev on 2013-01-06 08:36:09 IP: 74.61.13.62 Thank you so much for this. This is the most helpful online assistance for European Portuguese pronunciation I have found yet. It clarifies for me some particularly puzzling idiosyncrasies (e.g., the "x").

Hi Written by Hugo on 2013-04-10 21:22:36 IP: 85.245.229.213 Very Cool sait ! It's cool it teach Portuguese from Portugal and not from Brazil because ALL saits teach Brazilian Portuguese not from Portugal, and they forgot that Portuguese people can understand with more facility Brazilian or Spanish that Brazilian and Spanish people xp I know that because I am Portuguese and I have no problem in understaning Brazilian (of course), Spanish and French. I don't know why but Portuguese people find it easy to understand and Spanish people when they came to Portugal they can't understand Portuguese xD and Brazilian understand but not very well because they think we speak too fast..

Fantástico! Written by Holly on 2013-06-13 07:21:56 IP: 217.164.130.28 I recently purchased the Linguaphone course on a deal, and while I find it very useful and easy to grasp, the grammar has been somewhat of a problem for me. So stumbling upon your site has been an absolute godsend! I've been making notes like crazy in my new grammar notebook     Muita obrigada!  Holly.

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