95390 - Portuguese and Brazilian Language and Linguistic Exercises 1

Learning outcomes

This course aims to improve all four language skills, speaking, listening, reading and writing to achieve level B1. of the CEFR

Course contents

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

- 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

Although there will also be theoretical sessions aimed at consolidating the concepts learned in the Linguistics course, the Language classes 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 assessment of language skills will take place, both in written and oral form, with the native speaker tutor and will cover the grammatical topics addressed during the language exercises.

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

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).

 

Office hours

See the website of Roberto Mulinacci