BA Modern Language and Business & Management (Portuguese) / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Portuguese Language 1

Course unit fact file
Unit code SPLA52010
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Full year
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This course unit is designed as an introduction to the Portuguese Language. It aims to provide students with intensive teaching in the basics of Portuguese grammar and syntax. Strong emphasis is placed on both spoken and written language. It also aims to develop the students’ basic writing, oral and comprehension skills in the Portuguese language, through a range of written, communicative and practical exercises. On successful completion of this course, students should be able to perform at Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). 

Pre/co-requisites

Available on which programme(s)?  Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies single honours; Portuguese joint honours; Minor in Portuguese 
Available as Free Choice (UG) or to other programmes (PG)?  No
Available to students on an Erasmus programme  Yes, but only to those studying for a degree in Portuguese at their home institutions and who will be at Manchester for an entire academic year. 
Pre/Co/Antirequisite units   
Medium of language  Portuguese and English 

 

Aims

It aims: 

  • To provide students with a solid understanding of basic Portuguese grammar and syntax, as well as develop their four skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing) to a B1 level   

  • To enable students to communicate adequately (within level constraints) in Portuguese through a range of written, oral, and comprehension exercises 

  • To enrich the understanding of the language through the study of oral and written texts of different speech genres 

Learning outcomes

 

Knowledge and understanding

  • Passive and active knowledge of basic grammatical structures of the Portuguese language. 

  • An awareness of and responsiveness to the nature and extent of cultural diversity in the Lusophone world. 

  • The ability to understand and produce texts of different speech genres, through the use of knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and basic cultural awareness.  

Intellectual skills

This course develops abilities to: 

  • Decision making; 
  • Use language creatively and precisely for a range of purposes and audiences; 

  • Extract and synthesise key information from written and spoken sources; 

  • Develop problem-solving skills. 

Practical skills

These include: 

  • Basic skills to enhance their language learning through independent study 

  • An ability to communicate in written and oral Portuguese (within level constraints). 

  • Use and present material in the target language in written and oral forms; 

  • Use target language source materials appropriately (within level constraints); 

  • Access electronic resources and use information and communication technologies (ICT) appropriately. 

Transferable skills and personal qualities

These include: 

  • Communication skills: oral, written and IT; 

  • The ability to work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team; 

  • Basic intercultural awareness.  

  • Mediating skills and qualities of empathy; 

  • Self-reliance and adaptability; 

Employability skills

Problem solving
Generally, communications skills are developed through frequent presentations and teamwork, self-management skills are promoted through independent work, creation of a language portfolio, problem-solving skills through translation and role-plays, and IT skills through web and computer assisted language learning.

Assessment methods

Assessment task Formative or Summative Weighting within unit (if Summative)
Written Exam Summative 30%
Written Exam Summative 40%
Oral Exam Summative 30%
Written assignment Formative  

Resit Assessment

Assessment Task
Written Exam

 

Feedback methods

Feedback Method Formative or Summative
Regular individual written feedback on completed and marked assignments and oral presentations plus face-to-face discussion if desired.  Formative
Global feedback on frequent errors or omissions to indicate problem areas and allow questions and discussion (delivered orally in class/ as a handout)  Formative
In-class comments on homework, presentations and other exercises.  Formative

 

Recommended reading

  • Anna Klobucka et al., Ponto de Encontro: Portuguese as a World Language. Second Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2013. 
  • Amélia Hutchinson and Janet Lloyd, Portuguese. An Essential Grammar (Routledge).  
  • Isabel Coimbra and Olga Mata Coimbra, Gramática Ativa 1 (Lidel) 

 

 

 

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Seminars 88
Independent study hours
Independent study 112

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Jose Peixoto Coelho De Souza Unit coordinator

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