- UCAS course code
- RRK5
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
BA Spanish and Portuguese
Gain specialist language and culture skills with a focus on Spain, Portugal and Latin America.
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: RRK5 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
Study with a language
- Typical A-level offer: ABB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: BBC including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: BBC including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 34 points overall with 6,5,5 at HL including specific subjects
Course unit details:
Portuguese Language 1
| 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 |