This textbook accurately displays the great diversity and variety of the Brazilian culture, even though it provides a selection of situations and examples that can be considered small in comparison to real life. This textbook readily identifies the grammar structures that are twisted or modified in order to maintain that truthfulness effect and briefly explains what is means. Spoken language at the familiar level often diverges from what is considered proper language and grammar, following a more colloquial pattern. However, their web-link is readily available and it is mentioned prominently at the beginning of the text. Since what I have available is the textbook's PDF, I cannot comment on the web-based platform hosted at the University of Texas, Austin. Each section, however, comes with its own follow up and is easy to follow and progresses logically. This textbook is readily divided into distinct sections that allow for good reading and assignment management, including easy matching with different times of the school year or daily activities.Įven though apparently the list of possible conversations and dialogues seems to follow a random thematic organization, there is an intent at progressively increasing the level of language and the complexity of the vocabulary and grammar structures involved. Overall, this book is very consistent and uses the same approach coherently from the beginning to the end. The brief, but complex explanations in English allow access to the complicate nuances of the Brazilian spoken language. This book is very clear and user friendly making it a very accessible learning tool. It is particularly targeted at conversation classes and self-learners, so it easily can be customized and updated too. This book focus on daily life, common subjects and topics, as well as colloquial familiar language will probably make it relevant for a while. I believe the content on this book is fully accurate and culturally sensitive.
Under each section's Usage notes there are also several great comments and suggestions for interacting with the material. Each section or conversation starts with a brief explanation of the context or situation, a dialogue translated into English line-by-line and a glossary of explanations of idiomatic expressions and common sayings, which sometimes also includes cultural notes and very brief grammatical explanations.
This text is thematically organized and provides detailed model conversation on different daily subjects. Reviewed by Emilia Barbosa, Lecturer, University of Kansas on 8/21/16
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