Undergraduate Course Information

Basic Portuguese (Semester 1)

Applicants who are non-Portuguese speakers (true beginners)

This module emphasizes the acquisition of basic comprehension, reading and speaking skills, based on key aspects of grammar and vocabulary in Portuguese. It also offers an introduction to the contemporary cultures of Portuguese-speaking countries. We use interactive multimedia to help the process of language acquisition and the understanding of these cultures.

Intermediate Portuguese 1 (Semester 2)

For students who have successfully completed Basic Portuguese

This module provides a review of the basics of Portuguese grammar, introduces some more complex structures (past tenses), extends the vocabulary and develops the student?s ability to compose simple communicative texts on professional, educational and personal-related topics. We continue to give insight into the cultures of Portuguese-speaking countries to highlight cultural diversity. Lectures are conducted both in English and Portuguese.

Intermediate Portuguese 2 (Semester 1)

For students who have successfully completed Intermediate Portuguese 1, or have taken Portuguese as a Matric subject, or have completed an equivalent course or are Portuguese speakers.

This module continues to provide a review of the Portuguese grammar and helps to increase vocabulary, accuracy, and understanding of texts. Readings are taken from different language registers. The Internet, live radio broadcasts, videos and other multimedia materials are used. Face-to-face lectures are conducted entirely in Portuguese.

Advanced Portuguese (Semester 2)

For students who have successfully completed Intermediate Portuguese 2

This module provides a review of Portuguese grammar, and helps to increase vocabulary range, grammatical accuracy, comprehension of the written text, and fluency. Students are expected to compose communicative texts and have sufficient vocabulary to express themselves well on a variety of topics. Readings are taken from different language registers and from a selection of contemporary texts, short stories and excerpts of novels.