Best Workbooks for Learning Portuguese (2026)

Readers looking for the best workbooks for learning Portuguese usually start with one question: where they are now. A complete beginner needs different exercises from a learner who can already order a meal and wants to work on verbs. We compared the picks by listed level, publication date, page count and answer key, plus what each description says, so you can match a book to your own level.

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The books

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Complete Portuguese by Tyson-Ward	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Tudo bem? by Hickman	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Short Stories by Richards	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Portuguese for Beginners by Burin	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Practice Makes Perfect by Tyson-Ward	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Complete Portuguese by Tyson-Ward

Sue Tyson-Ward·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A self-study course that moves a learner from beginner to intermediate across reading, writing, speaking and listening.

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Pros

• 18 learning units, plus a verbs reference, glossary and revision section
• The description says the course maps from Novice Low to Advanced Low on the ACTFL scale
• Comes with a book and audio CD, plus a Test Yourself section to track progress

Cons

• Published November 15, 2016, and the listing does not say whether a newer edition exists
• Answer key: Not stated in the listing
• Built as lessons rather than drill pages, so learners who want mostly exercises may want a second book

2

Tudo bem? by Hickman

Natália Hickman·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A bilingual Portuguese and English book of lessons and exercises, for self-study learners and classroom use.

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Pros

• Exercises follow each lesson, and the listing states an answer key is included
• Written in both Portuguese and English, with simple grammar explanations and everyday dialogues
• Audio is offered on the author's website and podcast, which the description presents as native pronunciation

Cons

• Book 1 of 2, and the second volume is not in this listing
• The audio sits on an outside website and podcast rather than in the book
• Reading age: Not stated, and the level is a general beginner and intermediate label

3

Short Stories by Richards

Olly Richards·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Eight stories for readers at high-beginner to low-intermediate level, with a glossary and comprehension questions after each chapter.

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Pros

• Eight stories in several genres, from science fiction to history, with a bilingual word list
• Comprehension questions follow each chapter, so readers can check their understanding
• Realistic spoken dialogues and accessible grammar help learners pick up expressions

Cons

• Practice comes as stories and questions rather than drill pages, so grammar work is lighter
• Answer key: Not stated in the listing
• The description lists crime and thriller among the genres, so check the story themes before a younger reader starts

4

Portuguese for Beginners by Burin

Marizete Burin·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A first book for absolute beginners that builds on 14 common verbs through short stories and fill-in-the-blank exercises.

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Pros

• Written for complete beginners, with basic grammar explained in simple English
• Covers 14 essential verbs, plus extra vocabulary lists and cultural notes
• Book 1 of 5 in a series, so a learner can continue step by step

Cons

• Book 1 of 5, and the other four volumes are not in this listing
• Answer key: Not stated in the listing for the activities
• At 125 pages, it covers a narrower range than a full course

5

Practice Makes Perfect by Tyson-Ward

Sue TYSON-WARD·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A grammar and vocabulary workbook with more than 180 exercises, for a learner who wants drills alongside a class or textbook.

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Pros

• More than 180 exercises, with each lesson built around vocabulary and key grammar
• Flashcards for all vocabulary lists, plus audio, both accessed through an app
• Covers ser vs. estar, saber vs. conhecer and verb tenses, as the listing states

Cons

• Answer key: Not stated in the listing
• Second edition published August 20, 2019, and the listing does not say whether a newer edition exists
• The publisher's note says copies from third-party sellers are not backed by the publisher for quality or online access

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More picks to compare

• Modern Grammar Workbook by WhitlamFor learners with basic Brazilian Portuguese who want grammar exercises and an answer key.Check on Amazon
• Kids Portuguese Workbook by RodriguesFor children, listed reading age 6 to 12, with bilingual vocabulary puzzles and quizzes.Check on Amazon
• Portuguese Verb Workbook by HawthorneFor beginners who want verb practice with varied exercises and an answer key.Check on Amazon

Compare the list

Book details as published on each listing, collected 16 October 2026.

How the Shelf Score was applied

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed level where one is given. All but one of the picks state a level, either a CEFR band or a beginner label, so the level adds to the score only where it matches the reader. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best workbooks for learning portuguese

Start at the level the listing states

A learner starting from nothing should look for a listing that says absolute beginner, such as Portuguese for Beginners Part 1. A learner who already reads simple sentences will get more from the beginner and intermediate books, and the Complete Brazilian Portuguese course maps from A1 to B1/B2 on the CEFR scale.

Choose a course or a drill book

Complete Brazilian Portuguese teaches through lessons, a glossary and a verbs reference, while Practice Makes Perfect is built around more than 180 exercises. Pick the course if you want lessons first, and the drill book if you already have a class or textbook. More workbooks for school and home use are in Workbooks and Homeschool.

Check whether a series continues

Portuguese for Beginners is Book 1 of 5 and Tudo bem? is Book 1 of 2, so start with Book 1 to keep each lesson building on the last. Confirm the series number on the listing before you order, since the other volumes are not in these listings. If you study more than one language, the French workbooks list covers the same format questions.

Before you buy

• Check the publication date on the listing, since the picks range from 2016 to 2024.
• Confirm the series number, and start with Book 1 when a listing gives one.
• Look for an answer key, which some listings state and others do not mention, and compare the listed level with your own.

FAQ for readers

Where should a complete beginner start?

Start with a book whose listing says absolute beginner, such as Portuguese for Beginners Part 1. Move to a course or a drill book once the lessons feel easy.

Does Practice Makes Perfect include an answer key?

The listing does not state one, so check the full product page before you buy.

Which edition should I buy?

Check the publication date on each listing, since the Complete Brazilian Portuguese course is dated November 15, 2016. The listing does not say whether a newer edition exists, so compare it with the others before you buy.

Still deciding? Our top pickComplete Portuguese by Tyson-Ward

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More lists like this

See every Homeschool Curriculum list and all Workbooks and Homeschool lists.

More lists: French, German and Italian workbooks.