Aims

Focus on further developing students' written communicative and oral /aural competence in the foreign language gained in POR2010 and during their intercalary year (including fluency, grammatical and lexical accuracy and range; register and pronunciation).

Facilitate students' ability to establish and maintain effective social and working relations with speakers of the foreign language in written and spoken media.

Teaching in weekly language classes will focus on communication and on the formal structures of the language. All four skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) are fully integrated in the language classes and will be assessed.

Outline Of Syllabus

Training in grammar, vocabulary and communicative competence through use of class textbooks and other materials. Further practice on summary and composition, listening and oral presentations. Focus on literary texts by contemporary Lusophone writers (short stories, short novels).

THIS COURSE WILL BE TAUGHT AND ASSESSED IN PORTUGUESE.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Teaching in the language classes will focus on communication and the formal structures of the language. All four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking are fully integrated in the language classes and will be assessed.

Independent learning and learner autonomy are encouraged through the means of portfolio tasks, pair and group work and self-study at home and in the Language Resource Centre. Initiative is expected from students at this level, e.g. course participants will be asked to contribute their own materials to the classes.

Learning and teaching activities design is underpinned by a blending of the social constructivism pedagogy, reflective practice (Farrell, T.S.C.), TEL and the communicative approach.

THIS COURSE WILL BE TAUGHT AND ASSESSED IN PORTUGUESE

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The Written Examination at the end of Semester 1 (30%) will enable students to produce a 400 to 450-word written piece of work. It will test the students’ ability to write (or type) a well-structured text in the target language based on the comprehension and analysis of written source material [Students may be allowed to type their own answers if the spell check / grammar check has been disabled]. Students will receive feedback so that they can assess their progress and identify their strengths and areas for improvement before the final written examination in Semester 2.

The oral examination (30%) will take place at the end of Semester 2. It will test students’ ability to conduct independent research, critically evaluate authentic material, and to produce and present their own output orally in a clear and structured manner. It will also assess their ability to speak freely, understand aural and/or audio visual input, and interact in a discussion on these findings and on general matters.

The final written exam at the end of Semester 2 (40%) will take place during the exam period and will test the students’ ability to produce and present a well-structured text or texts in the target language. Students may be allowed to type their own answers provided that spell check / grammar check has been disabled. This formal examination provides summative information to staff and student on student's achievement in the target language at the end of this module.