LEARN PORTUGUESE

General Information

Portuguese is the language of Portugal and Brazil, as well as several other countries in Africa and Asia. It has a long history and a rich literary heritage. Portuguese is based on Latin, though its vocabulary has been influenced by many different cultures. Learners who have some knowledge of Spanish, Italian, or French will encounter some familiar forms and vocabulary. However, it is not necessary for anyone to know these or any other languages to be able to acquire, successfully and enjoyably, a good understanding and use of basic Portuguese.

Students are introduced to beginning and elementary grammar, with clear explanations and examples, and are then given the opportunity to practice what they are learning in realistic situations. The vocabulary base is expanded in every lesson with useful and relevant words and phrases. Though the emphasis is on conversation, the course is designed to give the students both communication and comprehension skills so that they practice listening, reading and writing in each class.

In addition to the course book, authentic materials such as Portuguese newspapers and magazine articles, Portuguese and Brazilian popular music, menus, and official forms are used in the classes.

Textbook for levels 1-6 : Ponto de Encontro: Portuguese as a World Language
Anna Klobucka, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth; Clémence de Jouët-Pastré, Harvard University; Patrícia Isabel Sobral , Brown University; Maria Luci de Biaji Moreira, College of Charlesto; Amélia P. Hutchinson, The University of Georgia

Portuguese I

30 hours of instruction/5 weeks

By the end of this course, students will be able to introduce themselves and other people, describe their daily routines and their present activities, give simple instructions and orders, describe people and talk about the immediate future. Social language includes greetings, good-byes, polite requests, asking for information, making suggestions and plans, and expressing likes and dislikes. In grammar, this course includes personal pronouns, possessive adjectives and pronouns, the present tenses (both simple and continuous), and the comparative and superlative of adjectives. Students will learn numbers up to 1000, days of the week, dates, and how to tell time.

Chapters: Preliminary - 2

Portuguese II

30 hours of instruction/5 weeks

This courses reviews and consolidates what was learned in the previous level and introduces new material. Students study the past tenses (both simple and continuous) and practice narrative forms. They learn how to express present and future obligations. This course includes more practice in social situations such as; using the phone and banking. The text and vocabulary give students greater opportunities to appreciate Portuguese and Brazilian history, art and culture.

Chapters: 3-5