Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies programme.
Description
This is a beginners’ course that develops written and oral/aural communication skills through an intensive programme of language acquisition. Grammar and language structures are taught around a schedule centred on practical/concrete situations, such as speaking about oneself, getting to know others, finding one’s way round town, communicating present and past situations, etc.
Course objectives
This course enables the student to achieve a good level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
This is the first in a series of three language acquisition courses within the International Studies program. The final objective of this course series is to obtain an intermediate level of proficiency in Portuguese, aimed at communication with people in the region in everyday social situations and enabling students to follow current affairs in the region via various media.
| Skill | CEFR Level |
|---|---|
| Reading | A2 |
| Writing | A1 |
| Listening | A1+ |
| Speaking | A1 |
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Tutorials
Three two-hour tutorials every week, with the exception of the midterm exam week. Attending all tutorial sessions is compulsory. If you are unable to attend a session, please inform your tutor in advance, providing a valid reason for your absence. Being absent will result in a lowering of the participation grade with 0.5 for every absence after the first five (5) times.
Assessment method
Assessment & Weighing
Exam 1 (Midterm Exam)
| Partial grade | Weighing | Time of examination |
|---|---|---|
| Listening comprehension & reading comprehension & written production | 25% | Week 6 |
Exam 2 (Final Exam)
| Partial grade | Weighing | Time of examination |
|---|---|---|
| Listening comprehension & reading comprehension & written production | 35% | Week 12 |
Oral Exam
| Partial grade | Weighing | Time of examination |
|---|---|---|
| (Final Exam) Interview and interaction with another student | 10% | Week 12 |
| Assignments Oral production | 10% | tba |
| Participation | 20% | tba |
Quizzes: Grammar structure and vocabulary
Assignments: Written production
Attendance and engagement
End Grade
To successfully complete the course, please take note that the End Grade of the course is established by determining the weighted average of the in-class oral and listening performance, and written exams.
The End Grade needs to be a 6.0 or higher to pass the course.
Resit
If the End Grade is insufficient (lower than a 6.0), there is a possibility of retaking the full 80% of the exam material (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). No resit for the tutorial (participation) is possible.
The BA International Studies program does not allow students to resit passed (constituent) examination(s) within the language courses. Language acquisition is, primarily, accomplished through in-class acquisition activities and practical assignments which contribute to the (final) examination. The diverse structure of the language courses and characteristics of language acquisition therefore withhold the possibility to resit a passed examination.
Exam review and feedback
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
Novo Avenida Brasil 1: curso básico de português para estrangeiros: Emma Eberlein O.F. Lima … (et al.) - São Paulo: E.P.U. 2008 - ISBN: 9788512545202.
There is also an e-book version for the Bookshelf app ISBN: 9788521627692.Isabel Coimbra and Olga M. Coimbra, Gramática Ativa 1. (Porto: Lidel).
There are two versions of this book: the European Portuguese (also applicable to African Portuguese) and the Brazilian Portuguese. Choose the one related to your area of studies.Vailati, Tecia E., Apostila 1 (Reader). This reader will be available for free download on Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment for the workgroup through My Studymap is mandatory.
No enrolment needed for the language exams.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Student Affairs Office for BA International Studies
Remarks
Passing this course is an additional requirement for a positive Study Recommendation at the end of the year.
This course uses an integrated communicative language learning method. Therefore active participation in the classroom activities is essential for successful learning outcomes.