elllo
Views #1303 | Intermediate (B1)

Life in Portugal

Ana talks with Michael about her country and talks about the food, weather and lifestyle.

Michael: So Ana, you're from Portugal. Can you tell me a little bit about your country?

Ana: Yes, sure. Portugal is a really small country actually. It's right by Spain in Europe and we have really nice weather there. It's really sunny most of the year and really hot in summer. It can get really cold and really rainy in winter. But yeah, overall, it's a really nice country to live in.

Michael: And I've heard you have nice beaches in Portugal.

Ana: Yes, we do. I used to go to the beach everyday with my family in summer. It was really great. But the beaches can get really crowded. Lots of people, so you might want to be a bit careful when you choose where to go.

Michael: All right, I see. And where do you live in Portugal?

Ana: I live in a small village actually. You probably don't know it. It's called Palmela. But it's south of Lisbon and it's by the coast, so it's really nice. We get a nice view of the mountains and of the rivers. So I really enjoy living there. It's really quite. Not a lot of people. A lot of wine farms actually and really nice food. You should come and visit sometime.

Michael: I like wine. And so you have good wine in Portugal. What sort of food do you eat in Portugal?

Ana: Let's see. We get a lot of fish because we're by the sea. And so codfish is a traditional and sardines and mackerels.

Michael: Oh, I like sardines.

Ana: Yeah. It's really good. And we also have really good desserts. So for example, coffee cake, yogurt cake. We've got pastel de nata which is kind of an egg tart thing. So I really recommend you try that with our coffee when you go there.

Michael: All right. And you speak Portuguese as your first language.

Ana: Yes, I do. I speak Portuguese. It's not the same as Brazilian Portuguese but it's really close and we can understand each other. So that's really great.

Michael: All right. And can you understand Spanish as well?

Ana: Yeah. I can understand a little bit of Spanish but there are some differences between Portuguese and Spanish.

Michael: How do you say hello in Portuguese?

Ana: Oh, you can say, "Ola."

Michael: Ola.

Ana: Yeah, it's fun. You should learn some Portuguese.

Michael: Oh, I'd love to.

Answer these questions about the interview.
Audio Lessons about Phrases and Vocabulary

codfish

image

Codfish is a traditional dish in Portugal.

Codfish is a type of fish that has a nice, white texture. Notice the following:

  1. They serve great codfish there.
  2. I love to eat codfish with white wine.

sardines

image

We ate sardines for lunch.

A sardine is a small fish which if often canned. Notice the following:

  1. I like to eat sardines on crackers.
  2. He bought a can of sardines.

mackeral

image

We had mackeral for dinner.

Mackeral is a kind of fish. Notice the following:

  1. I don't like fish, but I like to eat mackeral.
  2. You can buy mackeral at the market.

tart

image

Pastel de nata is a kind of an egg tart thing.

A tart is a smally pastry made in a short cup. Notice the following:

  1. Making tarts is not easy.
  2. I love to eat lemon tarts.

recommend

image

I really recommend you try that.

When you recommend something, you suggest someone try it. Notice the following:

  1. I am new here, what do you recommend?
  2. The waitress recommends we try the coffee cake.

Vocabulary Quiz

codfish • sardines • mackeral
tart • recommend
  1. I like codfish and sardines but not .
  2. These go well on crackers.
  3. I the codfish for dinner.
  4. I have tried sardines and mackeral but not .
  5. Have you tried the lemon for dessert?

Related Lessons

1304 When in Portugal
#1304 When in Portugal
Things to do in Portugal.
Speakers
Video 1304
Do you want to travel?
Speakers
Video 1303
What do you like about your city?

Other Lessons

1305 Vision Quest
#1305 Vision Quest
Mark's special journey.
1302 Change Climate Change
#1302 Change of Climate
The affects on the climate.
1301 Climate Change
#1301 Climate Change
Recents events with weather.

 

Courses for Students and Teachers

One Minute English Videos

Views English Lessons

Mixer English Lessons

Learn Academic English with News Stories

About the Teacher / Creator

Hello, and welcome to elllo. My name is Todd Beuckens. I've been an ESL teacher for 25 years. I created elllo to provide teachers and students free audio lessons and learning materials not usually found in commercial textbooks.
Contact Me Here