This is an intensive beginner’s language programme. The course is designed to enable students with no previous knowledge of Portuguese to reach a lower-intermediate proficiency by the end of the year, and to build towards the use of the language at a high level. Study focuses on the four major language skills;

• receptive skills (listening and reading)
• productive skills (speaking and writing)
• mediation skills (translation)
• inter-cultural awareness skills (awareness of cultural diversity)

These skills, as well as the study of the grammatical and lexical patterns of the language are practiced and developed through classwork exercises, online activities and written work, use of video and audio material, and interaction with native speakers where possible  - including native speaker exchange students hosted by the  school.

1. Read, understand and speak Portuguese to a level comparable with A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR)
2. Speak confidently and with appropriate grammatical correctness and spontaneity about topics that are familiar and routine
3. Write coherent texts in Portuguese using a range of registers and on a range of topics with appropriate grammatical accuracy
4. Extract data and ideas from a range of authentic written texts

The module will be taught through a blend of live classes and guided, interactive online tasks and activities, designed to fulfil the learning outcomes. These will be on-campus if the University deems it safe and practicable and remotely (online) where on campus activity is not possible.

Independent Learning: You will be expected to spend a significant amount of time studying and participating in individual and collaborative activities outside the live sessions. Materials will be provided on Learning Central which will help you develop your expertise as an independent language learner. You will be asked to consolidate your language learning by learning vocabulary and linguistic structures, and by reading, watching and/or listening to material in the Portuguese language. You will also be expected to prepare and complete exercises and activities online, to complete written, listening and oral tasks. Over the course of the year you will begin to acquire a repertoire of effective language learning strategies.

Students will develop:

1. An understanding of the principles of learning a foreign language intensively and organise their learning with guidance with the tutor
2. Subject-specific language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) in Portuguese at the appropriate level
3. The ability to use language creatively and precisely for a range of purposes and audiences
4. The abilities to extract and synthesize key information from written, spoken and other sources
5. A greater awareness of how languages (including the mother tongue) function
6. The skills to be effective, independent and self-aware Iearners, including active reflection on learning processes and preferences so as to independently develop appropriate strategies and linguistic skills to ensure progression
7. The ability to work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team
8. Skills in intercultural awareness, understanding and competence, including a critical understanding of other cultures and practice other than one’s own
9. Enhanced skills in effective communication, presentation and interaction – both in an online environment and face-to-face
10. Extended and refined vocabulary and skills by engaging with the Independent Learning Portfolio
11. Enhanced digital literacy skills including the ability to engage with appropriate language learning technologies
12. The ability to actively participate in online group discussions with an online community of learners through chats, discussion boards or forums
13. The ability to identify, assess, and make good use of appropriate reference materials (e.g. dictionaries; online resources; self-study tool)

The key language skills are receptive (reading and listening), production (speaking and writing), mediation (translation between two languages) and intercultural awareness. Developing these skills involves acquiring metalinguistic and lexical competence, i.e. studying the building blocks of the language including grammatical and lexical patterns and structures. All of these skills are assessed through continuous assessment over the course of the module which reflects the progressive and accumulative nature of language learning.

The method(s) of assessing the learning outcomes for this module are set out in the Assessment Table, which also contains the weightings of each assessment component.

Mapping of Assessments to Intended Learning Outcomes:

Listening comprehension assesses ILOs 1, 4

Grammar test assesses ILOs 1, 3

Reading comprehension assesses ILOs 1, 3, 4

Oral exam assesses ILOs 1,2

Reassessment

Students who fail the module will be reassessed through the one synoptic re-assessment  (weighted at 100%). Resit assessments that are not supported by extenuating circumstances will be capped at the pass mark applicable to your programme.

The course will focus on:

This module provides a thorough introduction to the Portuguese language, including Brazilian and African variants of Portuguese.

The module provides an introduction to the pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary of the Portuguese language, and to the cultural contexts in which the language is used. A number of key language structures will be introduced and integrated with strategies for communication. There will also be a focus on the development of reading skills and topics-based work using the course materials and recommended grammar books.

By the end of the first semester, students will be able to talk about themselves and describe events in the present, past and future. There will be a focus on understanding and producing spoken and written Portuguese for specific contexts.

The second semester will consolidate the knowledge and use of grammar acquired in part 1, and it will cover additional grammatical functions including the subjunctive mood. Students will increase their ability to understand and produce spoken and written Portuguese as a world language.