Admission requirements
Portuguese 2 or proof of B1 level (CEFR) recommended.
If having B1 level cannot be proven, a placement test in early September (first semester intake) or late January (second semester intake) is recommended before taking this course (contact tutors for guidance).
Description
This is the third of four language proficiency courses in Portuguese under the Bachelor’s degree programme in Latin American Studies.
It is a communicative language proficiency course in Portuguese in which all skills (reading, writing, listening, spoken production and spoken interaction), including grammar and vocabulary, are integrated. Following the levels and can-do-statements of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), seminars are designed according to the task-based approach and the students´ proficiency is aimed at B2 level. During seminars, all topics will be discussed through written and oral texts, video or audio fragments and role-plays. Students work individually, in pairs or small groups. The students´ active attitude towards preparation for and participation during seminars is crucial in order to be able to meet the learning outcomes of the course. This is an interactive course in which a variety of authentic materials are used.
Transferable Skills:
Problem solving (recognizing and analyzing problems, solution-oriented thinking)
Analytical thinking (analytical skills, abstraction, proof)
Responsibility (ownership, self-discipline, responsible attitude towards own project, acknowledging errors)
Commitment (dedication, motivation, proactive attitude, own initiative)
Self-regulation (independence, insight into one's own goals, motives and capacities)
Oral communication (presenting, speaking skills, listening)
Written communication (writing skills, reporting, structuring, summarizing)
Working together (teamwork, support, loyalty, fulfilling agreements, attendance)
Flexibility (dealing with changes, eagerness to learn, adaptability)
Critical thinking (asking questions, checking assumptions)
Creative thinking (resourcefulness, curiosity, out of the box thinking)
Integrity (honesty, morality, ethical conduct, personal values)
Intercultural skills (communication with different cultures)
Course objectives
This course covers four key skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Authentic materials will be used in the development of communication skills through practical written and oral exercises (individual and group-based).
European Framework for Languages:
Listening B2
Reading B2
Spoken B2
Writing B2
By the end of the course, students will have achieved the B2 level in the previously mentioned skills according to the CEFR.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminars in which an active participation of the students is expected. A major part of class hours is focused on the activities that cannot be done at home such as oral activities and explanation of new topic (grammar and vocabulary). Students are expected to regularly check Brightspace for homework and other exercises. At home, students should consciously work on the skills that they need to improve depending on their individual need (listening, writing, more grammar and vocabulary exercises, etc.). It is the responsibility of the students to reach the target level by coming to class prepared and doing regular self-study not only for the exams and submission deadlines but throughout the semester.
Assessment method
The assessment method is divided into two: graded and not graded (continuous assessment).
Continuous assessment: participation in class, tasks, presentations, homework
Graded assessment: oral exam, listening comprehension exam, oral presentation in class, written exams (midterm and final) and writing tasks for the portfolio.
Continuous assessment:
The progress that the student makes during the semester will be taken into account through continuous assessment. This means that the lecturer will regularly check whether the student duly carries out the assignments and tasks as proposed in class and Brightspace.
At least 80% of the continuous assessment assignments should be submitted before deadline is a prerequisite to have access to the graded exams at the end of the course. A task is considered submitted if it is complete and instructions have been followed.
Graded assessment:
Listening comprehension test
Oral presentation in class
The oral exam consists of two parts: question-and-answer/interview type and interaction about particular daily or specific situations with another student or the teacher/s.Written exams consist of three parts:
- Reading Comprehension
- Grammar and Vocabulary
- Writing
The portfolio is a physical file including reading, writing and self-assessment exercises. The graded part is the compilation of written exercises. For this, student must hand in a draft of each written exercise in a timely and regular manner. For participation in the midterm and final (oral and written) exams, handing in the complete portfolio (with all the assignments self-corrected and written tasks modified/rewritten) before deadline is compulsory. Writing tasks submitted late will not be commented upon by the lecturer and the student should ask another person (classmate, friend, etc.) who can correct it so that two versions (original and modified) can be included in the final portfolio file.
Weighing
60% written + 40% oral
20% midterm exam (1-2 hours)
20% final exam (1-2 hours)
20% portfolio (writing exercises)
10% listening comprehension
10% oral presentation in class
20% oral exam (7-15 minutes).
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the final weighted grade should be 6 or higher.
Resit
The student who does not pass the course (weighted grade lower than 6) is entitled to a resit evaluation. This evaluation will consist of two parts:
Oral exam (40%): question/answer and dialogue or discussion of a topic seen in class
Written exam (60%): reading comprehension; grammar and vocabulary; writing.
To pass the course, the weighted resit grade should be 6 or higher.
Exam review
The date of exam review will be announced in Brightspace.
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
Contextos: Curso Intermediário de Português, By Denise Santos, Gláucia V. Silva, Viviane Gontijo
Additional suggestions:
GRAMMARS:
Evanildo Bechara, Gramatica escolar da língua portuguesa, com exercícios (Rio de Janeiro:ed. Lucern) edição 2003 ou mais recente.
John Whitlam, Modern Brazilian Portuguese Grammar: A Practical Guide (Routledge, 2011) +
John Whitlam, Modern Brazilian Portuguese Grammar: Workbook (Routledge, 2011) [very good practice-based grammar + accompanying workbook].
C.F.da Cunha and Lindley Cintra, Nova gramática do português contemporâneo, (Lisbon: João Sá da Costa, 1984; repr. Aveiro: Lexikon, 2008).
Mário Perini, Modern Portuguese: A Reference Grammar (Yale: Yale University Press, 2002) [Brazilian Portuguese]
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on this website
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.
Contact
Education Administration Office: Reuvensplaats
Coordinator of Studies: Tim Sanders
Remarks
Students will only be allowed to take the midterm, final written and oral exams if all of these conditions are satisfied:
80% compulsory attendance. Absence must be reported in advance to the lecturers giving a valid reason. Students who do not meet the 80% attendance requirement will not be allowed to take the exams. Frequent tardiness and both excused and unexcused absences are included in the 20% margin. Exceptions to this should be mutually agreed upon by both the lecturers and the student in writing (e-mail).
A complete portfolio is submitted on time (one submission per block) to have access to the midterm, final written and oral exams. The content and deadline of each submission will be set by the lecturer.
Progress throughout the course. Students are expected to participate actively in discussions during seminars and to duly carry out all assignments during and outside seminar hours. During the semester, students are expected to complete all assignments and to check all the topics and activities regardless of them being discussed or not in class. Students will be excluded from the exams if they fail to participate or prepare sufficiently (see “Continuous Assessment”).