Polyglottist December Newsletter

Celebrate December with Spanish & Portuguese: Two Languages, Endless Worlds

As the year comes to a close and the festive season begins, December invites us to gather, celebrate, and connect—and what better way to do that than through language? At Polyglottist Language Academy, we’re ending the year with a double celebration: Spanish and Portuguese, two of the world’s most influential, expressive, and culturally rich languages.

Spoken across continents, these two languages are more than tools of communication—they are carriers of music, literature, history, and tradition. They shape vibrant cultures that span Europe, Latin America, Africa, and beyond. This December, join us as we explore the beauty of el español and o português, side by side.

🌍 Why Spanish and Portuguese Matter

✔ Spanish is spoken by over 500 million people worldwide, making it the second most spoken native language in the world.
✔ Portuguese connects you to Portugal, Brazil, parts of Africa, and Asia—and over 260 million speakers.
✔ Both languages unlock access to cultures that have shaped global art, music, and cuisine—from flamenco and fado to tapas and feijoada.
✔ They’re also key for business, travel, and personal growth—especially in today’s interconnected world.

Whether you’re planning a trip to Lisbon or Lima, dreaming of dancing samba in Rio, or hoping to read García Márquez or Pessoa in the original, December is the perfect time to start.

This Month at Polyglottist

We’ve designed December around learning and living Spanish and Portuguese—giving you not only the language skills but the cultural insights to truly connect.

🗣 Speak with Rhythm and Confidence

Spanish and Portuguese share Latin roots, but each has its own rhythm, pronunciation, and charm. Our classes and tips this month will help you:

  • Master the rolling r of Spanish and the soft, musical sounds of Portuguese.

  • Learn everyday phrases for greetings, shopping, and social conversations.

  • Understand key differences between European and Latin American Spanish, and between Brazilian and European Portuguese.

  • Use filler words like pues, o sea, tipo, and pois to sound authentic.

  • Develop listening skills for fast, native speech (yes, even Brazilian Portuguese!).

Quick Hack: Want to sound more natural? In Spanish, link words smoothly (¿Cómo estás? becomes ¿Cómo ’stás?), while in Portuguese, focus on nasal vowels like pão and mão.

🎉 Culture Spotlight: Festivities and Traditions

December is full of celebrations—and Spanish and Portuguese-speaking cultures know how to do it in style. This month, we’ll share:

  • How Spaniards celebrate Nochebuena with family feasts and turrón.

  • Why Brazilians wear white on New Year’s Eve and head to the beach with flowers for Yemanjá.

  • The meaning of Las Posadas in Mexico and Natal in Portugal.

  • Traditional holiday dishes like bacalhau com todos and panettone brasileiro.

  • Popular toasts and phrases to impress at any holiday table (¡Feliz Navidad!, Feliz Ano Novo!).

Fun Fact: In Spain, it’s traditional to eat 12 grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve—one for each clock chime, for good luck!

📖 Language Through Music, Film, and Literature

Want to make your language learning festive and fun? Explore these cultural treasures:

  • Songs: From Spanish Christmas carols (villancicos) to Portuguese fado.

  • Movies: Holiday films like Feliz Navidad (Spain) or Minha Mãe É uma Peça (Brazil).

  • Books: Short stories and poems that capture the warmth of the season in both languages.

🎧 Pro Tip: Create a bilingual holiday playlist—mix Spanish classics like Los Peces en el Río with Brazilian hits like Então é Natal. It’s music and language practice in one!

📚 Featured Blog Articles in December

  • Spanish vs. Portuguese: Which One Should You Learn First?

  • Holiday Traditions in Spain and Brazil You’ll Love

  • The Musicality of Portuguese: Why It Sounds So Beautiful

  • How to Toast Like a Native in Spanish and Portuguese

  • 10 Essential Phrases for Travelers in Spain and Portugal

👉 Read these and more on the Polyglottist Blog.

Join Our Spanish and Portuguese Classes

This December, give yourself the gift of language. Our courses help you:
✅ Build real-world communication skills from Day One
✅ Understand cultural nuances (and avoid awkward faux pas)
✅ Gain confidence through conversation-focused lessons
✅ Choose from small group classes or private sessions—online or in-person

Whether you’re starting from zero or aiming for fluency, we have a class for you.

👉 Register for Spanish or Portuguese Classes Today

🌍 Beyond December: Learn More Languages

While December celebrates Spanish and Portuguese, Polyglottist offers classes all year in:
🇫🇷 French | 🇮🇹 Italian | 🇷🇺 Russian | 🇨🇳 Mandarin | 🇯🇵 Japanese | 🇩🇪 German … and more!

Start your next language adventure with us—and join a global community of learners who value curiosity and connection.

✨ Why Choose Polyglottist?
✅ Small class sizes (3–6 students)
✅ Expert, passionate instructors
✅ Real-life conversation at the heart of every lesson
✅ Flexible schedules and formats (online & in-person)

Celebrate this season by learning a language that will enrich your life for years to come. Because every phrase you learn is a new world waiting to be discovered.

Warm wishes for the holidays,
The Polyglottist Language Academy Team
https://www.polyglottistlanguageacademy.com