BA Politics and Portuguese / Course details

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). 

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 

The course unit consists of language tuition in spoken and written Portuguese through the study and production of texts of different genres. It includes language simulations, oral presentations, translations to and from Portuguese, and essay writing.

It also uses the Canvas virtual learning environment as a supplement to support and manage aspects of learning and teaching. Students are thus required to visit Canvas regularly for essential information on the course, work done in class and other various tasks, including online assessments and discussions.  

Given the nature of language learning, students will be expected to attend all classes and to prepare adequately for them in order to be able to participate actively in class discussion and group activities.
 

• 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.  

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. 

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. 

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; 

Resit Assessment

• 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)