Portuguese 3

Overview

Building on skills acquired at level 2 and during the period of residence abroad, this module aims to reinforce and consolidate the linguistic knowledge gained in the previous Portuguese modules, and ensure that students' capabilities in Portuguese are at a very advanced level. It will also offer practical learning of work-related skills in the target language. Furthermore, in this module students will engage with contextual study to develop cultural and linguistic awareness.

1. Grammar Class (1h per week in semester 1) The weekly language class will build not only on knowledge gained of the Portuguese language in the previous courses, but also on linguistic skills acquired during the period of residence abroad. It will be devoted to applied grammar, by revisiting and reflecting on more complex grammatical structures at use in different linguistic registers.

2. Writing Practice Workshop (1h per week) In this weekly workshop students will be working with material in various registers of Portuguese, which involve more complex grammatical and syntactical structures. Students will also develop greater linguistic competence, as well as analytical skills in the target language, by summarising and critically analysing a range of texts and audio-visual materials, and presenting their work in class.

3. Reading/Translation Practice Workshop (1h per week) This weekly workshop will link to the other language sessions, focusing specifically on the development of core reading and interpretation skills required for understanding Portuguese. Vocabulary and linguistic competence will be developed through a range of exercises that include: reading and comprehension, and translation from Portuguese into English.

4. Oral Class This weekly session taught by tutors specialising in both Brazilian and European Portuguese, aims at enhancing students’ oral skills (their ability to understand different varieties of spoken Portuguese and produce the written language) but also at optimising the use of the language for academic and professional ends.

5. Contextual Study (1hr per week) This component will enable students to analyse theoretical issues concerning the Portuguese-speaking world, and topics related to the critical analysis of contemporary cultures and societies within it. In addition, students will also develop analytical competences through the analysis and interpretation of literary texts, films and documentary, for example.

Learning Objectives

Students who successfully complete this module should:

1) have acquired a high level of understanding of and competence in most aspects of Portuguese grammar;

2) be able to communicate to a high level in the target language in written and oral form;

3) have enhanced their listening and comprehension skills, as well as their ability to understand different varieties of spoken Portuguese;

4) understand and have the ability to evaluate and analyse a range of language, theoretical and cultural material, in distinct formats;

5) have acquired critical awareness of contemporary cultural and societal aspects within the Portuguese-speaking world.

Skills

On successful completion of the modules students should have developed the following range of skills: Advanced linguistic skills, both written and oral; understanding of different varieties of spoken Portuguese, as well as distinct registers of the language; analytical skills and their application to the analysis of more complex critical texts; ability to interpret and respond to employment advertisements; interview skills applicable to employment situations; presentation skills, employing the appropriate presentation tools.

Assessment