30965 - Portuguese and Brazilian Language and Linguistics 1

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student possesses a fundamental knowledge of the metalanguage and various aspects of a descriptive-analytical model of Portuguese and Brazilian language and is proficient in all communication skills at the B1 level of the standards set by the Council of Europe.

Course contents

The course of "Portuguese and Brazilian Linguistics and Language 1" has two parts:
1. - Formal lectures given by the professor (30 hours);
2. - A language learning course (90 hours) given by the tutor.

1. LINGUISTICS COURSE CONTENTS

The course (Introduction to Contemporary Portuguese) aims to provide a concise but up-to-date overview of modern Portuguese at various levels of linguistic and socio-cultural analysis, from a predominantly synchronic perspective, but without neglecting a few diachronic insights.

In the first part, contemporary language in its various forms will be analysed, with the aim of not only tracing a macrosociolinguistic profile, but also outlining the main “trends” inherent in the prospects for their possible future transformations.

The second part, on the other hand, will provide an essential description of the main structures of this specific linguistic system (phonology, morphology, lexicon, syntax), always taking care, however, to highlight the particularly significant aspects of a variational character, such as those that distinguish the two main varieties (European and Brazilian).

2. LANGUAGE CLASSES (ESERCITAZIONI LINGUISTICHE)

The Portuguese Language classes aim to develop the student's communicative skills in Portuguese (European variant). The objective of the lessons, which are of a practical nature, is to provide the tools for achieving level A2/B1 according to the European Reference Framework for Language Learning (EFR). Through language exercises, the acquisition of skills in the following areas will be promoted:

Production (oral and written) and Comprehension (oral and written). By the end of the course the student is able to recognise the meaning of simple conversations, has acquired a good basic vocabulary, is able to express him/herself orally and in writing on familiar topics such as: personal interests, family, daily routines, one's educational background, familiar places, past experiences, impressions etc.. Is able to ask for directions and make requests.

Spoken Production: The student is able to interact in a simple conversation and articulate sentences on topics involving a direct exchange of information. Can answer questions on familiar topics related to areas of immediate need and routine tasks. Can give short descriptions and can articulate a linear narrative. Can take part in conversation in Portuguese expressing preferences (likes/dislikes). Justifies his/her point of view briefly but clearly.

Written Production: the student is able to write texts using simple, coherent syntax and expressing familiar experiences and impressions. Can write the text for a postcard, a personal letter, an invitation, a diary page, an informal e-mail.

Listening Comprehension: The student understands everyday speech, grasps frequently used expressions and words. Grasps the meaning of relatively slowly articulated conversations with linear syntax on familiar and topical subjects.

Reading comprehension: The student understands written texts related to habitual activities, work, personal interests (letters, simple articles, messages, postcards, newspaper headlines). He/she is able to orient him/herself and grasp the meaning of texts describing places, people, everyday life situations, opinions.

 

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

1. LINGUISTICS COURSE:

- Roberto Mulinacci, Introduzione alla fonetica e fonologia del portoghese, Canterano (Roma), Aracne Editrice, 2018;

- Alina Villalva, Morfologia do Português, Lisboa, Universidade Aberta, 2008;

- Maria Helena Mira Mateus et alii (orgs.), Gramática da Língua Portuguesa, Lisboa, Caminho, 2006.

A booklet with some chapters of the portuguese above-mentioned books will be available at the beginning of the course.

Slides of the course will be available through the "Virtuale" platform.

Further bibliographical references will be provided during the lessons.

 

2. ESERCITAZIONI LINGUISTICHE

- Ana Tavares, Português XXI – A1 Livro e Caderno do Aluno, Lisboa, Editora LIDEL, 2018:

https://m.lidel.pt/pt/catalogo/portugues-europeu-lingua-estrangeira/metodos/portugues-xxi-1-livro-do-aluno/

Supporting text (optional): Isabel Coimbra-Olga Mata Coimbra, Gramática Ativa (nível A1), Lisboa, Editora LIDEL, 2010 https://m.lidel.pt/pt/catalogo/portugues-europeu-lingua-estrangeira/gramatica/gramatica-ativa-1/

Teaching methods

1. LINGUISTICS COURSE

A series of lectures, mainly theoretical in nature, but offering ample opportunity for interaction between teacher and student.

2. LANGUAGE CLASSES (Esercitazioni linguistiche)

Although there will also be theoretical sessions aimed at consolidating the concepts learned in the Linguistics course, the Language Exercises course focuses primarily on practical language learning and therefore requires active participation from students. In particular, through grammar, vocabulary and simulation exercises, the aim is to acquire communication skills oriented towards concrete contexts of use (e.g. personal introduction, asking for directions, organising a meeting, making appointments...) with the aim of stimulating interaction between students. During the lessons, in addition to the textbook indicated in the bibliography, audio files, videos, and various types of texts such as newspaper articles, prose excerpts, podcasts, music tracks, and comics in Portuguese will be used.

Assessment methods

The examination will take place in three distinct stages.

1. LINGUISTIC COURSE

Learning of the knowledge related to this specific course will be tested by means of an oral interview, in Italian, with the lecturer responsible for the subject, in which the student will have to demonstrate that he or she has acquired an organic vision of contemporary Portuguese, responding, with synthesis skills and language property, to questions focusing on the geography, phonology, morphology and syntax of this language.

The candidate's ability to illustrate at length and in a pertinent manner the topics dealt with during the course, relating or comparing them and demonstrating the ability to master them with theoretical competence and terminological appropriateness will be assessed with marks of excellence.

A mnemonic knowledge of the subject, together with a limited ability to analyse and, above all, articulated in a correct but not always appropriate language, will lead to discrete evaluations.

Formative deficiencies and/or inappropriate language will lead to grades that do not exceed a pass.

Formative deficiencies, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the materials offered during the course will only lead to negative marks.

2. LANGUAGE PRACTICE CLASSES

This essentially theoretical part of the examination (at the end of which the student will obtain a partial grade in thirtieths) will then be supplemented by a practical assessment of linguistic competence, to be carried out in both written and oral form, with the mother-tongue teacher and concerning the grammatical topics addressed during the language classes (Esercitazioni linguistiche).

In particular, the written exam – preparatory to the oral exam, which can only be accessed by obtaining a minimum score of 18/30 in the written exam – will consist of an assessment of the knowledge acquired by the student in the following areas: oral comprehension (listening); text comprehension; grammar exercises; composition of a short text; translation. The test lasts 3 hours. The use of a dictionary is not permitted.

Those who pass the written test will then be admitted to the oral exam, which consists of a conversation with a native speaker tutor in Portuguese, aimed at assessing the student's interactive skills in terms of vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The conversation will focus on everyday topics and subjects covered in class.

In each of the two language classes exams, written and oral, the student will be assigned another partial mark, again out of thirty, which will be added to the mark given by the teacher responsible for the subject, so that the final mark for Portuguese and Brazilian Language and Linguistics 1 will be calculated as the mathematical average of the three partial marks for linguistics, written exam and oral exam.

There are no prerequisites requirements between the course exam and the language practice exam. The exams for the two courses can therefore be taken in different sessions and in any order.

For the practical language exame, however, prerequisites are strictly enforced, to the extent that the oral exam can only be taken after passing the written exam.

Finally, please note that each exam session includes at least two exam dates for the linguistics module, one for the written part of the practical exercises and two for the oral part.

However, the written part of the language practice exam can also be taken in the form of two ONGOING ASSESSMENTS, one at the end of the first semester and the other at the end of the second semester, in order to gradually assess learning progress. The dates of these two partial exams will obviously be communicated during the course.

Of course, only those who have passed the first test will be able to take the second test. By passing both tests, the written part of the exercises can be considered complete, and only the oral test will need to be taken in one of the regularly scheduled exam sessions starting from the 2025/2026 summer session.

Those who have not taken or passed the ongoing tests will have to take the written test, as described above.

 

 

Teaching tools

1. LINGUISTICS COURSE

Computer based presentations (Power Point) and multimedia resources. The course PowerPoint, updated after each lesson, will be made available to students on the Platform Virtuale (https://virtuale.unibo.it/my/)

2. LANGUAGE CLASSES (Esercitazioni linguistiche)

In addition to the bibliography provided, the tutor will supply the necessary study materials, such as PowerPoint presentations, exercises, texts and audio files. These materials will be made available via the Unibo Virtuale platform. Students are invited to enrol in the course via the platform in order to access the content.

Notice for students with disabilities

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities: we suggest that you contact the relevant university office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and your professor immediately to work together to find the most effective strategies for attending classes and/or preparing for exams.

Any requests for accommodations must be made at least 15 days before the date of the exam, by sending an email to the lecturer and copying (Cc) the email address [disabilita@unibo.it [mailto:disabilita@unibo.it] ](mailto:disabilita@unibo.it ) (in case of disability) or [dsa@unibo.it [mailto:dsa@unibo.it] ](mailto:dsa@unibo.it ) (for students with Specific Learning Difficulties).

Links to further information

http://www.facli.unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Roberto Mulinacci