Overview

This module is mapped against A1 level in Portuguese according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It is for absolute beginners or students with very limited knowledge of the language. No previous knowledge of Portuguese is required. Through a variety of methods students will develop a very basic competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking Portuguese and an understanding of basic Portuguese grammar. At the end of this 12-week module students will have reached a low A1 level in the CEFR and will be able to carry out very simple everyday tasks in Portuguese. Students will be able to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. They will be able to introduce themselves and others and ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have. They will be able to interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. They will have a basic understanding of significant aspects of life and culture of the country and intercultural skills necessary for their language proficiency level.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop a very basic competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking Portuguese to be able to apply basic reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in line with the CEFR A1 level in Portuguese.

2. Provide students with an understanding of very basic structures of Portuguese grammar.

3. Provide an introduction to the culture and society of Portuguese-speaking countries.

4. Develop some intercultural understanding. 

Syllabus

Functional Content:

  • Introducing ourselves and our families
  • Talking about nationalities and other personal information.
  • Describing places, physical appearance and personality.
  • Talking about daily routines, work, studies and hobbies.
  • Ordering food and drinks in a restaurant.

Grammatical content:

  • Verbs: Present of Indicative 
  • Definite and indefinite articles.
  • Gender and number in nouns and adjectives.
  • Demonstrative pronouns.
  • Possessive pronouns.

Lexical content:

  • Numbers
  • Colours
  • Days of the week
  • Food and drink
  • Jobs and occupations
  • Spare time activities

Week 1: Units 1-2

Week 2: Units 3-4

Week 3: Units 5-6

Week 4: Units 7-8

Week 5: Units 9-10

Week 6: Units 11-12

Week 7: Units 13-14

Week 8: Units 15-16

Week 9: Units 17-18

Week 10: Units 19-20

Week 11: Units 1-20 (Review)

Week 12: Written and speaking tests will take place this week. Completing the assessment is required for students taking the course as part of their degree, or if they would like to have the course recorded in their HEAR.

For all other students, taking the tests is also strongly recommended, as a measure of their progress and learning.

Textbook details:

Passaporte para Portugues 1: PACK - Livro do Aluno + Caderno de Exercícios.

Passaporte para Português 1-pack (2024): This pack includes the Student’s Book (Livro do Aluno) and the Workbook (Caderno de Exercícios) and is available here: Passaporte Para Portugues 1 - Pack - 9789897528507 - Bay Language Books 

This pack will be used in Stage 1 and Stage 2, which means that for both stages we will be using the same book.

Study Hours

The total number of study hours for this module is 150 hours, in line with undergraduate university modules. This includes class meetings, completing homework, assessment preparation and self-directed study in line with guidance from the course lecturer.

If you are studying on the extracurricular mode, we recognise that the total number of hours that you may be able to study every week may depend on your availability and previous experience studying languages, however, expected contribution to classes, homework completion, and learning outcomes will not vary. 

Lecturer: Dr Lourdes Salgado

Born in Galicia, Northwestern Spain, Lourdes completed a MSc Psychology at the University of Liverpool and a PhD in Victorian Literature, which was awarded a Cum Laude, at the University of Salamanca, Spain. Her research focuses on power relations between servants and masters in Victorian sensationalist fiction from a Foucauldian and Chartist viewpoint. She has lectured on Spanish language and culture and Business Spanish for over ten years. She is an Assistant Examiner for the Spanish Diploma at the International Baccalaureate and a Cambridge Speaking Examiner. She has translated two books from English into Spanish and Galician language within the field of Children and Young Adults Literature in the 19th and 20th century and has several other publications. She is also a Portuguese freelance interpreter.

Fees for language courses are £190/£95.

Please note that the ‘last date available to book’ date is only a guide. We reserve the right to close bookings earlier if courses are over- or under-subscribed. In order to avoid disappointment, please be sure enrol as soon as possible. Registrations will not be processed until the following day if received after 3pm.

Visit our fee bands page to see which fee applies to you.

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