Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - PORT 100 D100

STT-Introductory Brazilian Portuguese I (3)

Class Number: 5925

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

At a beginner’s level, this course aims at providing basic knowledge of Portuguese (basic vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation) and meaningful language use opportunities. All four basic language skills are developed (oral and written comprehension and production). Emphasis is placed on Brazilian Portuguese language and culture, with elements from other regional varieties and cultures.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course aims at providing basic knowledge of Portuguese (basic vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation) and meaningful language use opportunities, involving 4 basic language skills – oral and written comprehension, oral and written production – at a beginner’s level. Emphasis is placed on Brazilian Portuguese and culture, with elements from other Portuguese language varieties and cultures of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). This course is the first half of first year Brazilian Portuguese (Basic level of the Brazilian Proficiency Certificate Celpe-Bras / A1 level of CEFR).

Course lessons are organized around and oriented to target social practices, authentic texts, and intercultural discussions. Students will construct their participation in social practices carried out in Portuguese in a culturally sensible manner. Students will develop communication skills to: talk about themselves, about past experiences, future plans and ongoing actions; comprehend the overall meaning of simple texts as well as to produce them; explore cultural references from the Portuguese speaking countries within their fields of interest (artistic, academic, professional field); etc. In each lesson, students will work towards a final assignment (written, oral, multimodal). In an effort to establish democratic conversations between all course participants, course assessment mechanisms are used, and efforts to implement student’s feasible and relevant suggestions to course design will be made.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:
• introduce themselves in conversations and different written profiles, also in an accessible and inclusive manner
• talk about personal information and characteristics, personal routines, house and home
• communicate past experiences, future plans and ongoing actions
• invite and answer invitations
• schedule social meetings
• compare and express likes and dislikes
• express feelings
• give recommendations
• book a table over the phone
• describe regions in general terms (demographics, historic milestones, geography, economy, etc.)
• identify members of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and name some of their artists/artistic genres
• name a Brazilian scholar/professional/organization in a field of interest as well as personalities and well-known artists
• identify spoken Brazilian Portuguese characteristics
• comprehend the overall meaning of simple authentic texts (from newspaper, magazines, websites, literature, social media, etc.)
• produce texts of the practiced genres in Portuguese at a beginner’s level
• do the above mentioned using basic knowledge of Portuguese in a culturally sensible manner

Grading

  • Portfolio (quality of performance) 50%
  • 2 Midterm Tests 20%
  • Regular Quizzes 15%
  • Class Participation & Attendance 15%

NOTES:

STRUCTURE: Course lessons are organized around and oriented to target social practices and related themes, discursive genres, authentic texts, and intercultural discussions, through which students will construct their participation in social practices carried out in Portuguese in a culturally sensible manner. In each lesson, students will work towards a final assignment (written, oral, multimodal). Throughout the lessons, linguistic topics are approached in a basic level because they are relevant and needed for production and comprehension of texts.

REQUIREMENTS:

GRADING SCALE

96-100 = A+   83-86 = B+    70-74 = C+       50-58 = D

91-95 = A        79-82 = B       65-69 = C          0-49 = F

87-90 = A-      75-78 = B-      59-64 = C-

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Fernandes et al (2023). Plural: Português pluricêntrico. 2nd ed. Boavista Press. ISBN 978-1-944676-09-4.

Albuquerque et al (2016). Português para principiantes. L&S Learning Support Services, University of Wisconsin.

Taylor-made materials by the instructor.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.