Aims

In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in the SML, this module will:

1.Focus on developing the students' written and aural/oral communicative competence in the foreign language (including fluency, grammatical and lexical accuracy and range; register and pronunciation).
2. Prepare students for the future study of the language (in reading, written and communicative skills oral/speaking and aural/listening in the target language).
3. Facilitate students' ability to establish and maintain effective social and working relations with speakers of the foreign language in written and spoken media. This includes students’ ability to use and understand authentic material and produce their own written and spoken output.

This module is available to all students with Level A or equivalent in Portuguese. This is a general language module offering students the opportunity to study and practise all four language skills fully integrated (listening, reading, writing and speaking). All skills will be assessed.

Outline Of Syllabus

Topics: Students cover a variety of topics based on contemporary Lusophone society including media, advertising, culture, immigration, environment, tourism, current affairs.


THIS COURSE WILL BE TAUGHT AND ASSESSED IN PORTUGUESE.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Teaching in the language seminars and practicals in the language labs will focus on communication skills while the grammar lectures will focus on key study skills and the formal structures of the language. All four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking are fully integrated in the language seminars and associated guided work and preparation.

Independent learning and learner autonomy are further developed through the means of grammar-related activities, online guided tasks, pair and group work, assessment preparation and completion, and self-study at home, via the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and in the Language Resource Centre. Particular initiative is expected from students at this level, e.g. course participants will be asked to contribute their own materials to the classes and activities.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The Written Examination at the end of Semester 1 (100%) will enable students to produce a 250 to 300-word written piece of work. This will be based on a text of 1000-1500 words. It will test students’ ability to read and understand written sources in the target language and to respond appropriately in written (or typed) form in the target language. [Students may be allowed to type their own answers provided that spell check / grammar check has been disabled].