LA360-6-FY-CO:
Mastery Portuguese
2024/25
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 27 June 2025
30
05 June 2024
Requisites for this module
LA340 or LA350
The Department of Language and Linguistics can offer guidance on prior knowledge or qualification exemptions.
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This final-year module is tailored for students who have completed a year abroad, a LAx50 module, or an equivalent (e.g., B2+/C1 of CEFR). It serves as an opportunity to enhance and solidify students’ advanced language skills, encompassing listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The overarching goal is to attain a proficiency level equivalent to Threshold Level C1+/C2 of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR).
Moreover, the module strives to deepen students’ understanding of the culture and society of the language’s respective countries. Participants will reinforce their grasp of tense usage, acquiring proficiency in employing more intricate sentence structures and more sophisticated vocabulary, including idioms and expressions. Engaging with extended and intricate texts from diverse media outlets, such as lectures, TV news, current affairs programs, films, and literary works, is a key component of the learning experience. This comprehensive approach aims to cultivate a well-rounded linguistic and cultural competence among students, reaching a level at which they can actively participate in professional activities.
The aims of this module are as follows:
- To quickly and precisely analyse any written or spoken document (summarize, explain, or comment).
- To enhance students’ knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.
- To collaborate on research into topical issues.
- To discuss complex subjects in detail and express ideas fluently.
- To consolidate understanding of the social and cultural aspects of regions/countries where the language is spoken.
- To develop collaborative learning strategies, public engagement, and critical thinking.
- To practice and expand transferable skills, including intercultural awareness and language mediation, communication and presentation skills, independent learning, creative and analytical thinking, reflective skills, problem-solving, team-working, disciplined time management, research skills, and the use of electronic media.
By the end of this module, students are expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of complex specialised and non-specialised texts.
- Show a deep understanding and appropriate use of grammar and vocabulary, including some idiomatic expressions.
- Express themselves effortlessly and confidently in both written and spoken language across a variety of registers.
- Deliver a clear, smoothly-flowing description or argument, employing a style suitable for the context and featuring an effective logical structure.
- Demonstrate knowledge of key aspects of the history, society and current issues in the countries where the language is spoken, along with the ability to analyse and discuss them.
- Have developed academic, transferable study skills, including intercultural awareness and language mediation skills, independent learning, intellectual (critical, analytical thinking), research skills, problem-solving, team-working, planning and delivering oral presentations, time-management, and the use of electronic media.
The overarching goal is to attain a proficiency level equivalent to Threshold Level C1+/C2 of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR).
This module will be delivered via:
- 2 or 3* one-hour seminar per week
The module aims are achieved through a variety of activities, both in class and outside, utilising a dedicated online learning platform (Moodle). Attendance and active participation are essential. Students are required to submit homework regularly, engage in interactions with other students through pair and group work, and dedicate approximately 7 hours per week to self-study.
*2 hours if there are fewer than 8 students in a group.
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Ribeiro, D. (2019) Pequeno manual antirracista.
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Carolina Maria de Jesus (no date) Quarto de Despejo. Diário de Uma Favelada. Ática.
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The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Coursework |
Assignment 1 (Written) |
|
|
Coursework |
Assignment 2 (Listening) |
|
|
Coursework |
Assignment 3 (Written) |
|
|
Coursework |
Assignment 4 (Speaking) |
|
|
Exam |
Main exam: In-Person, Closed Book, 180 minutes during Summer (Main Period)
|
Exam |
Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Closed Book, 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period)
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Antonio Da Silva, email: antonio.dasilva@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Antonio Da Silva
antonio.dasilva@essex.ac.uk, office: 4.203, Number: 2332
Yes
No
No
Prof Maria Teresa Conde
University of Cambridge
University Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 18 (90%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
2 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
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