95396 - Portuguese and Brazilian Language and Linguistic Exercises (Lm)

Course contents

The Portuguese and Brazilian Practical Language Classes (LM) course aims to refine the morphosyntactic, lexical and communicative skills of students who already possess a solid grounding in the Portuguese language, by exploring linguistic structures and their communicative functions in greater depth. In line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the Camões PLE Reference Framework, the module aims to develop a more conscious and precise use of the language in authentic communicative contexts, whilst promoting interactional competence amongst students.

The study of grammar (e.g. nominalisation, verbal periphrases with aspectual nuances, complex subordination, logical connectives) will be geared towards developing the linguistic competence characteristic of levels C1/C2, through the practice of discourse organisation mechanisms and the recognition of strategies used in text types and various communicative situations. From a practical perspective, attention will be given to constructing arguments in more complex forms, to recognising and using structures typical of informal, formal and academic registers, and to the differences between spoken and written language.

Although the module focuses on European Portuguese, it will, where possible, include activities comparing the European and Brazilian varieties, aimed at identifying the main morphosyntactic, lexical and pragmatic differences, with the aim of developing a greater awareness of the diversity and uses of contemporary Portuguese.

Readings/Bibliography

The following textbook will be used during the Master’s-level Portuguese Practice course:

- Hermínia Malcata, Hoje em dia, Lisbon, Lidel, 2016.

https://m.lidel.pt/pt/catalogo/portugues-europeu-lingua-estrangeira/exercicios/hoje-em-dia/

 

Teaching methods

The course adopts an interactive, workshop-based approach. The lessons aim to consolidate communication skills through rewriting exercises, oral rephrasing, structured debates, analysis of real-life situations, role-plays with pragmatic constraints, and discussions on complex topics. Discussion activities will focus on recognising and using common communicative strategies, idiomatic expressions and discourse markers, as well as consolidating the use of polite forms of address and advanced vocabulary.

A variety of authentic materials will be used, including, for example, journalistic and prose texts, audiovisual materials, specialist articles, multimedia resources, etc., presented in different registers (formal, informal, ironic, academic, professional).

Students will take part in a ‘teletandem’ activity with the Universidade Estadual Paulista, which will enable them to come into direct contact with the Brazilian variety of the language.

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning is based on the evaluation of the advanced language skills acquired by the student through tests of oral and written comprehension and production, and through activities carried out during the course.

The Practical Language Classes examination is divided into two parts: a written paper and an oral examination. The written paper is a prerequisite for the oral examination, which students may sit only if they achieve a minimum mark of 18/30 in the written paper. The Language Exercises exam is therefore structured as follows:

Written test: this consists of an assessment of the knowledge acquired by the student in the following areas: oral comprehension (listening); reading comprehension; grammar exercises; composition of a short text; and translation. The test lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. The use of a dictionary is not permitted.

Oral examination: this consists of a conversation with the lecturer, in Portuguese, aimed at assessing the student’s interactive skills relating to vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, and will focus on general topics.

The mark for the Practical Exercises is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the written and oral assessments. This result is then added to a third mark, namely the mark obtained in the examination set by the lecturer responsible for the lectures on Linguistics. The final mark for Portuguese and Brazilian Language and Linguistics is derived from the average of these three assessments.

Students are free to choose whether to sit the Linguistics exam or the Practical Exercises exam first, provided that the prerequisite order between the written and oral components of the Practical Exercises is observed.

For the Practical Language Classes exam, each session generally includes one date for the written exam and two dates for the oral exam.

The use of AI tools during the written examination is prohibited in any form, including chatbots, text generators, advanced translation tools, content synthesisers and tools built into devices. Any use of AI is considered a breach of the principle of honesty and fairness set out in the Policy and may result in the examination being annulled by the lecturer, who remains responsible for verifying the validity of the examination.

The assessment will take into account linguistic accuracy and richness, fluency of expression, the ability to present arguments, the appropriateness of the register, understanding of the materials provided, and participation in teaching activities and the work carried out, including the language teletandem programme.

Teaching tools

In addition to the recommended reading list, the Language Expert Assistant (CEL) for the practical sessions will provide the necessary study materials, such as PowerPoint presentations, exercises, texts, audio files, etc. These materials will be made available via the Unibo Virtuale platform. Students are invited to enrol on the course via the designated platform in order to access the content that will be uploaded.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended that you contact the University office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and the instructor as soon as possible in order to identify the most effective strategies for attending classes and/or preparing for the examination. Any requests for accommodations must be be submitted at least 15 days before the examination date by sending an email to the instructor and copying disabilita@unibo.it (in the case of disabilities) or dsa@unibo.it (for students with Specific Learning Disorders).

Office hours

See the website of Roberto Mulinacci