BA Politics and Portuguese / Course details

The course unit is designed as a complementary course to SPLA52010 Portuguese Language 1. It comprises extra practice in Portuguese through a range of listening, reading, writing, and speaking activities which aim to further develop students’ basic knowledge of the language. Also, it aims to provide students with opportunities for further practice of basic Portuguese grammar and vocabulary, enabling them to use the language for a variety of practical purposes. 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). 

Co-requisite: SPLA52010 Portuguese Language 1

Available to students on Portuguese Joint Honours programmes only

Medium of Language: English and Portuguese

• To provide students with opportunities leading to the consolidation of Portuguese grammar and syntax studied in SPLA52010 Portuguese Language 1 

• To expand on those topics through the study of complementary grammar topics 

• To enable students to communicate adequately in Portuguese (within level constraints) 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 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 and pre-intermediate 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 basic texts of different 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 basic written and spoken sources 

• Develop problem-solving skills 

These include: 

• Basic skills to enhance their language learning through independent study 

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

• Presentation skills 

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

• Translate simple texts to and from Portuguese 

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

 These include: 

• Communication and presentation skills: oral, written and IT; 

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

• Mediating skills and qualities of empathy; 

• Self-reliance and adaptability; 

• Basic intercultural awareness.  

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)