Thanks, guys, I see all of your points.

First, I lived in Australia for a while, and I think I carry a lot of its accent. So I tend to agree with Saikat.

What Phil said, about the European languages having similar intonations in general, is basically what I feel. It's like when a book is teaching the difference of R and L. Okay, it's important for those who speak languages that don't have this sounds, but... Well, it's redundant when our own language already have this sounds.

My point, however, was answered by Susan. So, native speakers do this so naturally that they don't realize, and when they listen to something different than this, they know something is wrong, but not exactly what. Right?

I still don't like this subject (sorry), but you all gave me a different perspective. As a matter of fact, what Alan pointed out, the intonation before comas, is the topic for a next class I'll be giving, and I was unsure on how to approach it. I loved the video Peachey sent, but I think I might use one from an Australian comediant, who exagerates it a lot, so it's easier to see how this really makes a difference. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpBYnL5fAXE)

Thanks so much, guys, and I sure will come back to ask for help with future classes. :P

Going abroad to live in a country on literally the other side of the world without knowing no one or anything, just the language.

It lasted six months before I came back home crying. But I'm dying to do something like that again, haha.

Well. As you probably know, "o" and "os" are articles, specifically definive masculine articles (artigos definidos masculinos). In portuguese, we can use articles pretty much anytime.

You can say "Meu nome é Maria" or "O meu nome é Maria". It means basically the same, and does not have a rule to when to use or not an article (at least, not that I can remember). Usually, people use articles in day to day (unless it's an specific accent, such as speakers from the state Espirito Santo).

Let me know if you understand.

Good learning. :)