Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies who have passed Portuguese 1 Beginners.
Description
This course builds on the communication skills developed in Portuguese 1, developing further the ability of expressing past events, experiences, wishes etc. Moreover, whilst developing language skills, the course aims at familiarizing students further with elements of the culture of lusophone countries through the use of varied materials.
Course objectives
This course covers four key skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, to a pre-intermediate level. Course-book and other additional, including authentic materials will be used in the development of communication skills through practical written and oral exercises (individual and group-based). The course will expand students knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and awareness of register. Students will develop key skills, such as presentation skills in Portuguese, team work, working to deadlines. These are integrated into language-specific, practical application of language skills in a variety of contexts, such as CV and covering letter writing.
Target level for Portuguese Pre-intermediate in terms of the Common European framework:
Listening – A2+
Reading - B1
Speaking - A2
Writing - A2
Timetable
The timetable is available on the BA International Studies website.
Mode of instruction
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 lower of the participation grade with 0.5 for every absence after the first three (3) times.
Course Load
Total course load for this course is 10 EC (1 EC = 28 hours), this equals 280 hours, broken down by:
Attending classes: (6 hours per week over 12 weeks) 72 hours
Preparing classes, exams and extra activities : 202 hours
Assessment hours (exams and other assessment): 6 hours
Assessment method
Assessment
Exam 1 - 1-2 hours (week 3)
Exam 2 - 1-2 hours (week 6) - Mid-Term
Exam 3 - 1-2 hours (week 9)
Exam 4 - 1-2 hours (week 12) - Final
Oral Exam - 7-15 minutes (week 12)
Quizzes + Assignments (weekly)
Exams include grammar exercises (e.g., fill-the-gap, short answer, etc.), reading comprehension, listening comprehension, open questions, and short essays. Oral assessment consists of a question/answer session. Quizzes and assignments are weekly tasks.
Weighing
| Partial Grade | Weighing |
|---|---|
| Exam 1 | 15% |
| Exam 2 | 15% |
| Exam 3 | 15% |
| Exam 4 | 15% |
| Oral Exam | 20% |
| Quizzes + Assignments | 20% |
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 exams.
Resit
If the end grade is insufficient (lower than a 6), 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.
Retaking a passing grade
Please consult the Course and Examination Regulations 2017 – 2018.
Exam review
How and when an exam review takes place will be determined by the examiner. This review will be within 30 days after official publication of exam results.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for tutorial groups. Students are requested to enroll on Blackboard for this course, but only after correct enrolment in uSis.
Reading list
Vailati, Tecia E. Apostila 1 (Reader). This reader will be available for free download on Blackboard.
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.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis can be found here.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.
Contact
When contacting lecturers or tutors, please include your full name, student number and tutorial group number.
Remarks
This course uses Integrated communicative language learning method. Therefore active participation in the classroom activities is essential for successful learning outcomes.