Portuguese Language for Beginners
| Module title | Portuguese Language for Beginners |
|---|---|
| Module code | MLP1052 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Natalia Pinazza (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
Module description
Portuguese is spoken worldwide by around 200 million people in four continents. You will learn the language ab initio acquiring all the basic language skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening – at A1/low A2 level (European Framework of Languages).
You will also become familiar with the two standardised varieties (European and Brazilian Portuguese).
This module can also be taken by Level 2 Modern Languages students who wish to start a second or third language in their second year.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This intensive language module aims to allow you to:
- Develop a practical working knowledge of the language
- Acquire the skills to communicate effectively in writing and verbally - expressing opinions, contrasting and comparing viewpoints
This module aims to bring beginners and GCSE entrants to the equivalent A-level standard
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a sound grasp of the basic grammatical structures of Portuguese
- 2. Understand texts in the two standardised varieties of Portuguese
- 3. Express ideas and opinions orally and in writing in Portuguese
- 4. Give short oral presentations in Portuguese on a defined topic to a small group of listeners and engage in group discussion of the topic presented
- 5. Write letters and other short texts in Portuguese on a limited range of practical and descriptive themes
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Understand the principles of learning a new language intensively, and organise ones own learning with guidance from the tutor
- 7. Use available learning aids to consolidate ones learning
- 8. Use reference grammar books and bilingual and monolingual dictionaries to check the structural and lexical accuracy of your writing and expression in Portuguese
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Communicate at a basic level in Portuguese
- 10. Express and discuss views individually and/or as part of a group
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that you will work through a course book (title to be confirmed), covering all essential points of grammar, consolidating skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. You will follow the equivalent of 5 hours per week, in which grammatical structures as well as vocabulary will be introduced in context. You will have the opportunity to practise language skills in class and in set homework in an integrated manner.
You will receive feedback on their work in class and individually.
There will be opportunity to explore the main differences between the two standardised varieties of Portuguese (Brazilian and European Portuguese).
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 88 | 212 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 88 | Five weekly class hours over 22 weeks introducing new grammatical material, oral, written exercises, listening and speaking practice |
| Guided Independent Study | 212 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 6 formative tasks per year (e.g. grammar, writing, speaking, reading, and listening comprehension, vocabulary) | Variable | 1-10 | Written and oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 40 | 10 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral assessment | 10 | 5 minutes | 1-4, 6, 9, 10 | Individual written feedback |
| Portfolio | 50 | Regular tasks over 2 terms | 1-2, 5-7, 9 | Individual written feedback |
| Written examination | 40 | 2-hour exam | 1, 2, 5, 6, 8-9 | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Examination | 1, 2, 5, 6, 9 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Oral examination | Oral test | 1-4, 6, 9, 10 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Portfolio | Portfolio | 1-2, 5-6, 9 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
You will only be required to retake any failed assessments. Marks for any passed assessments will be carried forward. If you have failed any assessments but managed to pass the module overall, you will not be allowed to retake the failed assessments.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Prescribed textbook: Ponto de Encontro: Portuguese as World Language. Pearson New International Edition - 2nd Edition.
- Clemence Jouet-Pastre, Anna Klobucka, Patrícia Sobral, Maria Luci Moreira, Amelia Hutchinson. Aug 2013, Paperback, 660 pages.
- Collins Portuguese-English/ Inglês-Português Dictionary. (Harper Collins, 2006)
- Hutchinson, A. and Lloyd, J.1996. Portuguese: An Essential Grammar . London: Routledge
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1438
- Monolingual dictionary: http://www.priberam.pt/DLPO/default.aspx
- Language resources at Instituto Camões: http://cvc.instituto-camoes.pt/area-aprender-a-brincar
- Active ELE page, including independent learning activities
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | MLP1002 for ML-based and FCH students of Portuguese |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | February 2014 |
| Last revision date | 21/02/2024 |
