How a chaotic home renovation sparked an unexpected passion.
Finding Connection in Unexpected Places
It was only a few months into the project this summer when I was walking up the driveway with the dogs and greeted some of the crew as they were arriving to work with a cheerful “Bom Dia!”—Good Morning in Portuguese. To my surprise, they smiled warmly, their expressions lighting up like sunshine after a storm.
At that moment, I realized that even in the midst of the chaos—living out of three cramped rooms in a house stripped down to its studs—small gestures like learning a few words in someone’s language could create connections that felt grounding and human. What began as a simple greeting has grown into a passion I never expected: learning Portuguese.
Surviving the Storm at Home
For the past nine months and counting, my house has been under a major reconstruction project. The first quarter of the year was consumed with packing as though we were moving—but without actually going anywhere. All the furniture went into storage, leaving my husband, our three dogs, and me living in just three rooms: my den, his studio, and our bedroom.
My den now serves as a makeshift kitchen, complete with two freezers, a mini fridge (the big one didn’t fit), an air fryer, a hot plate, a microwave, and a hutch holding all our dishes. It’s also our dining area. Meanwhile, a small countertop dishwasher hums away in my bathroom, and my closet doubles as a pantry. It’s like living on a land yacht—adrift in a storm, clinging to the hope of calm seas ahead.
Amid this upheaval, focusing on anything new felt impossible. But then, 132 days ago—yes, I know the exact number thanks to my DuoLingo streak counter—I finally found clarity.
A New Language, A New Focus
One morning, inspired by the friendly banter of the crew outside, I opened DuoLingo, an app I had dabbled with years ago while trying to learn Italian and Greek. Back then, life’s storms—grief after losing my parents and my ex-husband—derailed my progress. This time, my motivation was immediate: I wanted to connect with our construction crew, who primarily spoke Portuguese and Spanish.
I started with Spanish, but soon the framers’ lyrical Brazilian Portuguese drew me in. To my ears, Portuguese is a captivating blend of Spanish, French, and even a touch of Greek. What began as an attempt to learn a few pleasantries quickly turned into an obsession—an escape from the chaos of construction and a journey into the beauty of language.
Language Learning: Progress and Pride
DuoLingo has been my anchor. The app’s stats appeal to my competitive, data-loving side. I’m currently Level 21 in French, Level 20 in Spanish, and working through Section 3, Unit 15 in Portuguese. I’ve held a streak for 132 days and counting, with 16 consecutive weeks in the Diamond League and 25 top-three finishes.
It’s not just about the numbers, though. Learning practical words like as janelas (“windows”), cozinha (“kitchen”), and escada (“stairs”) has been unexpectedly useful—even ironic, given we didn’t have stairs for months.
And then there are the moments of connection: saying “Feliz Natal” to a crew member after Christmas and seeing his smile light up; or the less glamorous day when I asked how to say “poop” in Portuguese while picking up after the dogs. They laughed as I proudly declared, “Eu pego as muitas bostas!” (I pick up lots of poop!). It’s moments like these that make the hard work feel worthwhile.
Tools of the Trade: Making Learning Fun
To keep things fresh, I’ve added other tools to my arsenal:
Jumpspeak: This app’s conversational practice through real-life scenarios helps phrases stick. While it doesn’t offer Portuguese, I’ve been using it for French and Spanish. It uses clips for TV and movies to help you learn. It helps hearing the various accents and the language being used in real scenarios.
Prismatext: I love reading books and this tool blends target languages into English texts. Reading The Christmas Cookie in English/Portuguese expanded my vocabulary in a fun, immersive way and more importantly easy and natural way. I’m currently reading All the Acorns on the Forest Floor by Kim Hooper in English/French.
Music: Singing along to Brazilian music has been one of the most enjoyable ways to improve my pronunciation and rhythm. It all started with the music the crews would play while they worked—lively, melodic, and impossible to ignore. Their songs became the soundtrack to our reconstruction, drawing me into the vibrant world of Brazilian music. I’ll share my favorite playlist in another article!
These resources, alongside DuoLingo, give me a well-rounded approach to language learning that keeps me motivated and engaged.
Did You Know? Connecting to the World Through Portuguese
Portuguese is the sixth most spoken language globally, serving as the official language in multiple countries across different continents. From Brazil’s vibrant cultures to Mozambique’s rich traditions, learning Portuguese opens doors to diverse experiences and connections.
For a deeper dive into the countries where Portuguese is spoken, you can explore this insightful article by Duolingo: Everywhere you can use portuguese around the world
Language as a Bridge
What started as a simple desire to greet our construction crew has blossomed into a passion that’s brought unexpected joy and focus to my life. In the thick of construction chaos—with drywall still to go up, no flooring, and no heat running through half the house—language learning has given me something solid to hold onto. It’s a reminder that even amid upheaval, we can create connections and find clarity.
Join Me on the Journey!
If you’ve ever thought about learning a new language, don’t wait—start today! Whether it’s for travel, connection, or just the joy of learning, even a few words can make a difference. Follow me on DuoLingo at @Xine206, and I’ll follow back to cheer you on.
Let’s make language learning a shared adventure! What language are you learning, and what’s your favorite tip or resource? Share in the comments—I’m always looking for inspiration.
All photos and images are by the author, Xine Segalas, unless otherwise noted.
