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Study information

Portuguese Language for Beginners

Module titlePortuguese Language for Beginners
Module codeMLP1052
Academic year2024/5
Credits30
Module staff

Dr Natalia Pinazza (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
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 one’s own learning with guidance from the tutor
  • 7. Use available learning aids to consolidate one’s 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 ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
882120

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching88Five weekly class hours over 22 weeks introducing new grammatical material, oral, written exercises, listening and speaking practice
Guided Independent Study212Private study

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Up to 6 formative tasks per year (e.g. grammar, writing, speaking, reading, and listening comprehension, vocabulary)Variable1-10Written and oral

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
504010

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Oral assessment105 minutes1-4, 6, 9, 10Individual written feedback
Portfolio50Regular tasks over 2 terms 1-2, 5-7, 9Individual written feedback
Written examination402-hour exam1, 2, 5, 6, 8-9Written feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
ExaminationExamination1, 2, 5, 6, 9Referral/Deferral period
Oral examinationOral test1-4, 6, 9, 10Referral/Deferral period
PortfolioPortfolio1-2, 5-6, 9Referral/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

Key words search

Portuguese language, beginners

Credit value30
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