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Study Center in São Paulo, Brazil
Course name: Intensive Intermediate Portuguese I Course number: PORT 2501 BSPO
Programs offering course: Liberal Arts Language of instruction: Portuguese Semester Credits: 4
Contact Hours: 60
Term: Spring 2016
Course Description
The ‘Intermediate I’ course integrates structural, functional, lexical, situational, and thematic learning concepts. The methodology reflects a communicative approach, with an emphasis on fluency and oral production.
All classes involve production and understanding of texts (oral and writing) and use the following materials:
1. Authentic texts from Brazilian newspapers and magazines;
2. Authentic Brazilian academic papers;
3. Texts by Brazilian authors;
4. Samples of audio/video tapes (Brazilian texts and songs);
5. Samples of stylistics books;
6. Grammar exercises for individual & pair work;
7. Printed exercises, charts, models;
8. Flash cards.
Learning Objectives
General Purpose: This course provides opportunities for practicing Portuguese, covering both specific and general situations, as well as discussions on different aspects of Brazilian culture and history.
Specific Purpose: Provide detailed treatment of grammar both in class and for self- study by encouraging students to work out rules for themselves and do some exercises for reinforcement. Carry out communicative activities to consolidate the language and enable fluency work. Present Brazilian culture aspects and their connection with linguistic factors. Develop the four language skills systematically.
Particular emphasis is placed on spoken and written fluency.
2 Course Prerequisites
Students must have already attended “Beginner 2” and learned its contents; or have studied Portuguese language for 4 semesters. Exceptions to this policy will be considered on an individual basis; however, the student must provide a letter from the sending institution Advisor, and take the placement test given by the professors of CIEE-SP.
Methods of Instruction
The course will be taught in Portuguese as much as possible; students are expected to use Portuguese as much as possible. The course is to be viewed within the context of the following five aspects of any language acquisition, known as the Five C’s (Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities) which redefine listening, speaking, reading, and writing, the traditional categories of language acquisition. Each of the 5 C’s is briefly described below:
1. Communication – The communication standard has three components:
interpersonal / conversational (listening and speaking skill), interpretative (listening and reading skills) and presentational (speaking and writing for an audience). Students must speak, read, and comprehend written and spoken Portuguese proficiently;
2. Culture – The study of Portuguese language enables students to understand Brazilian culture on its own terms. Cultural studies allow subtle and fine connections between the culture that is lived and the language that is spoken;
3. Connections – The connections with other disciplines expand the knowledge and skills of language studies;
4. Comparisons – Develop Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture Students benefit from language learning by discovering different patterns among language systems and cultures and gaining insights into both the target and native languages and cultures;
5. Communities – Students must be prepared to apply language skills, and cultural knowledge in the real world. Through fieldtrips, cultural activities and external classes, the students may also
be encouraged to examine similarities and differences in Brazilian life and lifestyles. Fieldtrips will ensure that students absorb the appropriate vocabulary and concepts necessary to make their experience in Brazil meaningful.
The course includes the use of class debates, fieldtrips, films, guest lecturers, language games, lectures, PowerPoint, songs, etc., as indicated below:
1. Linguistic games and music to prepare the students for basic grammatical points or simple themes for discussion;
2. Watch Brazilians fiction films and documentaries;
3. Organize student’s oral presentations;
4. Expose students to simple texts that provide images of Brazilian Culture;
5. Read newspapers;
6. Write messages;
7. Oral Completion of grammar exercises in class;
8. Role Play.
3 Assessment and Final Grade
The class grade is influenced by:
- 2 Exams: 30%
- 2 Quizzes: 20%
- 2 Compositions (1 in-class): 20%
- 1 Seminar: 10%
- Final Project: 10%
- Homework, participation and attendance: 10%
Course Requirements
Do the linguistic games and music to prepare for grammatical points or themes for discussion;
Watch Brazilians films and documentaries and be prepared to describe them;
Read a literary book and provide summaries of the chapters;
Write small essays;
Read newspaper and magazine articles to include a point of view and support the main points of the critique, taking a position;
Do grammar exercises.
Exams
Exams will be administered on three different dates during the course. Each test will include the following sections: Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, and Composition. Before each exam, the Professor will post exam information via e-mail (i.e., types of questions, points allotted to each section) and “study suggestions” for the exam. Exam scores will be shown as quickly as possible to be viewed and signed by students. Exams must be filed and kept at CIEE´s office.
Each exam is set with a time limit; therefore, the students need to be thoroughly familiar with the vocabulary and grammatical content of each unit of the course so that they are able to complete the exam in the time allowed. If the student has not finished the exam by the end of the allotted time, he/she will not be allowed to access the exam again. Any unfinished questions will count against the score.
Students absent from exams will not receive full credit on the rescheduled exam unless they have a medical excuse with a doctor’s written note (Atestado Médico). Only under exceptional circumstances will a student be allowed to make up an exam. In such a case, the student will be required to meet with the Resident Director in São Paulo in order to submit suitable evidence that he/she is not able to take the exam on the scheduled date. Students will be tested on materials from the texts, assignments, and classroom activities. Failure to take the Final Exam will result in a failing grade for the course.
4 Quizzes
Quizzes are short tests that will not be previously announced. Quiz grades will be part of the final grade as well as graded homework. There are no make-up quizzes.
Compositions
The compositions will have pre-determined theme provided by the Professor. Compositions must be an original work. Use of translating programs will result in a “zero”. Turning in the work of another person (i.e. a native Brazilian speaker) or copy from the Internet will also result in a “zero”.
Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else´s ideas, words, artistic, scientific, or technical work as one´s own creation. Using the ideas or work of another is permissible only when the original author is identified. In Brazil, correct reference format is based on the ABNT's rules (Brazilian Technical Standards Association)
Seminar
The students have to prepare a presentation about a Brazil theme; they will present for 15 minutes to the class and promote a discussion with their colleagues. The students need to prepare a Power Point for their presentation.
Final Project
The students should write a short well-reasoned written essay (one or two pages) about a freely chosen theme (on the Portuguese language, Brazil or Brazilian culture) using the vocabulary and grammar studied, according to the group's development. More instructions for the Final Project will be given in class or by e-mail.
Homework
Homework will consist of smaller, short term tasks, such as exercises in the workbook as well as more complex, longer term assignments such as the preparation of oral presentations, essay writing and/ or extended research on a special topic.
Generally, all homework will be checked by students, in order to give them the opportunity of self- evaluation, and at other times it will be graded by the Professors. All students must present their homework on time. The professor will determine which tasks can be delivered out of deadline.
The “corrected” work for assignments, quizzes and tests are presented in a clear and comprehensible way so that each student will be able to recognize and correct their past mistakes
5 Attendance and Class Participation
- Passing requirements are as follows:
Attendance
a. Students must attend 80% of the classes. If the student does not attend the minimum required 80%, he/she will FAIL the course, regardless of the grades attained;
b. Students must sign an attendance list every class;
c. All tasks and assignments must be performed as required by the language Professor;
d. If a student is absent on two or more consecutive days, he/she will be required to report directly to the Resident Director;
e. The Professor has the option to randomly select or designate students to take a proctored assessment at any time during the course. If the student does not show up for the final assessment, fails to complete appropriate paperwork prior to the scheduled assessment, or refuses to take the final exam, a failing grade (F) will be assigned for the course;
f. In case the student has problems with the official schedule, or to attend classes, he/she must talk to the Professor as soon as possible and contact the CIEE office at the beginning of the course. Otherwise, we will understand that the student can attend all classes according to the above stated rules ant that she/he is responsible and aware of the consequences for his/her absence;
g. In case of Professor’s absence, he/she must find a suitable date to replace the class, in consultation with the students.
Participation
a. Students are expected to attend and participate in class regularly;
b. Active and respectful class participation is required from all students;
c. Participate actively in class discussions or seminars;
d. Students who don't actively participate are seen as either not paying attention or not having done their homework;
e. Obligatory activities, tests, and assignments listed on the official schedule for the language course must be attended. They cannot be made up, except in health emergencies, well documented and with the authorization from the Resident Director;
f. Punctuality and preparedness are key elements for successful class performance and language proficiency improvement;
g. All materials should be brought to class as requested by the language Professor;
h. Cell phones should be set to vibrate, so as not to interrupt the class if they happen to ring/receive text.
6 Weekly Schedule
This information will change, therefore it is not displayed in full content in this syllabus. Only a few important details are provided in this schedule. The Professor has the option to randomly select or change the subjects of their classes according to the needs and performing developments of the group.
Week 1 Orientation Week Introduction to class
Indicative mood: Representing acts or states as an objective fact (simple tenses) Indicative mood: Representing acts or states as an objective fact (compound tenses)
Verb + preposition
Functions: likes and dislikes; asking for information; getting people to do things;
making suggestions; giving advice Indirect/direct object (review) Quiz 1 (undeclared day) Week 2
Pronouns (all categories) Auxiliary verbs
Reported speech Idiomatic expressions Adjectives and adverbs
Composition 1 (undeclared day) Exam 1 (last day of the week) Week 3
Subjunctive mood: Representing an action or state which is hypothetical or anticipated rather than actual (all tenses)
Conditional clauses
Hypothetical discourse: stating intentions; discussing probability; considering BR Portuguese Phonetics
Composition 3 (midweek)
Quiz 2 (undeclared day) Composition 2 (undeclared day)
7 Week 4
Patterns of communication in particular settings and for specific purposes (register) Conjunctions + indicative/subjunctive mood forms
Comparison and contrast
Production and understanding of texts (narrative skills) Issues in Brazilian
Geography/History/Culture Final Project
Final Exam (last day of the week)
8 Readings
Dictionaries (monolingual)
HOUAISS, Antonio. Novo Dicionário Houaiss da Língua Portuguesa. São Paulo: Objetiva, 2009.
FERREIRA, Aurélio Buarque de Holanda. Novo Dicionário Aurélio da Língua Portuguesa. Positiva, 2009.
FERREIRA, Aurélio Buarque de Holanda. Dicionário Aurélio. Curitiba: Positivo, 2010.
INSTITUTO ANTONIO HOUAISS. Dicionário Houaiss de Sinônimos e Antônimos. São Paulo:
Publifolha, 2008.
Dictionaries (bilingual)
MICHAELIS. Moderno Dicionário de Inglês (ING-PORT/PORT-ING). São Paulo: Melhoramentos, 2006.
LAROUSSE. Dicionário Larousse Essencial (PORT-ING/ING-PORT). São Paulo: Larousse do Brasil, 2005.
COLLINS. Dicionário de Espanhol (ESP/PORT/PORT-ESP). São Paulo: Disal, 2005.
NASH, Mark & FERREIRA, William. Dicionário Michaelis de Expressões Idiomáticas Inglês – Português. São Paulo: Melhoramentos, 2008.
Online dictionaries http://michaelis.uol.com.br/ http://www.dicionarios-online.com/
http://www.dicionariodeportugues.com/ http://www.dicionarioweb.com.br/
http://www.wordreference.com/ptes/
Textbooks
BURIM, Sílvia. FLORISSI, Susanna. & PONCE, Maria Harumi. Bem-vindo! – A Língua Portuguesa no Mundo. São Paulo: SBS, 2009.
CEGALLA, Domingos Paschoal. Dicionário de Dificuldades da Língua Portuguesa. Rio de Janeiro:
Lexikon, 2007.
CEREJA, William. & MAGALHÃES, Theresa. Gramática – Texto, Reflexão e Uso. São Paulo: Atual, 2008.
CINTRA, Lindley. & CUNHA, Celso. Nova Gramática do Português Contemporâneo. Rio de Janeiro:
Lexikon, 2008.
LIMA, Emma E. & IUNES, Samira. Falar, Ler, Escrever. São Paulo: EPU,2008.
LIMA, Emma E. & BERGWEILER, Cristián González. Novo Avenida Brasil – 2. São Paulo: EPU, 2009.
LLOYD, Janet. & HUTCHINSON, Amélia. Portuguese – An Essential Grammar. United Kingdom:
Taylor & Francis, 2003.
MARTINS, Eduardo. Com todas as letras – O português simplificado. São Paulo: Moderna, 2009. NITTI, John J. & FERREIRA, Michael. 501 Portuguese Verbs – Fully conjugated in all the tenses. New
York: Barron’s, 2005.
PEREIRA, Giselda Fernanda. Fala Ação – Caderno de Atividades para Português para Estrangeiros.
São Paulo: author's edition, 2005.
TYSON-WARD, Sue. Portuguese Verbs and Essentials of Grammar. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995.
Exclusive materials devised by CIEE-SP in-house Professors: Authentic texts from Brazilian business newspapers and magazines; Problem solving activities; Tasks.
INSTITUTO ANTONIO HOUAISS. Dicionário Houaiss de Sinônimos e Antônimos. São Paulo:
Publifolha, 2008.
9 Dictionaries (bilingual)
MICHAELIS. Moderno Dicionário de Inglês (ING-PORT/PORT-ING). São Paulo: Melhoramentos, 2006.
LAROUSSE. Dicionário Larousse Essencial (PORT-ING/ING-PORT). São Paulo: Larousse do Brasil, 2005.
COLLINS. Dicionário de Espanhol (ESP/PORT/PORT-ESP). São Paulo: Disal, 2005.
NASH, Mark & FERREIRA, William. Dicionário Michaelis de Expressões Idiomáticas Inglês – Português. São Paulo: Melhoramentos, 2008.
Online dictionaries http://michaelis.uol.com.br/
http://www.dicionarios-online.com/
http://www.dicionariodeportugues.com/
http://www.dicionarioweb.com.br/
http://www.wordreference.com/ptes/
Textbooks
BURIM, Sílvia. FLORISSI, Susanna. & PONCE, Maria Harumi. Bem-vindo! – A Língua Portuguesa no Mundo. São Paulo: SBS, 2009.
CEGALLA, Domingos Paschoal. Dicionário de Dificuldades da Língua Portuguesa. Rio de Janeiro:
Lexikon, 2007.
CEREJA, William. & MAGALHÃES, Theresa. Gramática – Texto, Reflexão e Uso. São Paulo: Atual, 2008.
CINTRA, Lindley. & CUNHA, Celso. Nova Gramática do Português Contemporâneo. Rio de Janeiro:
Lexikon, 2008.
LIMA, Emma E. & IUNES, Samira. Falar, Ler, Escrever. São Paulo: EPU,2008.
LIMA, Emma E. & BERGWEILER, Cristián González. Novo Avenida Brasil – 2. São Paulo: EPU, 2009.
LLOYD, Janet. & HUTCHINSON, Amélia. Portuguese – An Essential Grammar. United Kingdom:
Taylor & Francis, 2003.
MARTINS, Eduardo. Com todas as letras – O português simplificado. São Paulo: Moderna, 2009.
NITTI, John J. & FERREIRA, Michael. 501 Portuguese Verbs – Fully conjugated in all the tenses. New York: Barron’s, 2005.
PEREIRA, Giselda Fernanda. Fala Ação – Caderno de Atividades para Português para Estrangeiros.
São Paulo: author's edition, 2005.
TYSON-WARD, Sue. Portuguese Verbs and Essentials of Grammar. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995.
Exclusive materials devised by CIEE-SP in-house Professors: Authentic texts from Brazilian business newspapers and magazines; Problem solving activities; Tasks.
