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PORT10030

Academic Year 2026/2027

Portuguese Language Ib (PORT10030)

Subject:
Portuguese
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Ana Vera
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is designed for students who already have some knowledge of the Portuguese Language, but who wish to move beyond a basic level of competence and focus on the acquisition of the vocabulary, functions and structures necessary for everyday oral communication purposes. The objective of the module is to enable students to develop competence in a range of language tasks performed in familiar contexts. Learners who achieve a grade of B or higher will be considered to have reached the A2 level, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

This module is a core module for anyone wishing to take a degree in Portuguese at UCD, whether the BA, BHumanities, BAIML or BEducation with Gaeilge/Modern Languages degrees (also as part of MALI).
It is a continuation module for students who have completed Portuguese 1A. It is equally suitable as a language elective for students of other subjects who have reached or approached the equivalent standard of Portuguese (CEFR level A1). Students should not take this module if they do not have the required standard. If in doubt, they should contact the module coordinator. Learners who have successfully completed Portuguese Ib will be able to progress to the next stage.

This module runs over 11 weeks of instruction, offering an accelerated learning environment designed to support rapid progress in foundational language skills. Each week includes three on-campus classes, encouraging active participation and personalised guidance. Students are expected to engage fully in all scheduled sessions. Continuous self-study complements classroom instruction and is essential for sustained development throughout the module.

Learners will develop a foundational command of the Portuguese language through integrated listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities. The module emphasises practical communication skills for everyday situations. Particular attention is given to the linguistic and cultural diversity of the Portuguese-speaking world. Students will also be introduced to the two standardised varieties of the language: European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On satisfactory completion of this module, students should be able to:

● Establish basic communication using frequently used expressions in everyday situations.
● Understand a limited range of oral and written texts, including simple instructions or public announcements.
● Write simple phrases and short texts, including narrating in the past and expressing wishes.
● Share simple opinions on cultural matters, e.g. food or traditions.
● Differentiate between registers and varieties of Portuguese.


Indicative Module Content:

Key Functions:
1. Talking about past events
2. Describing continuous actions in the past
3. Drawing comparisons
4. Talking about the future and making plans
5. Expressing simple wishes
6. Expressing simple abstract ideas

Key grammar points:
1. The preterit tense of irregular verbs
2. The imperfect
3. Degree of adjectives
4. Future
5. Conditional
6. Impersonal and personal infinitive

Students will also learn more about the cultures associated with the language and its speakers.

This information is indicative and may undergo changes.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Novice

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Novice

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Novice

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Novice

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Novice

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Novice

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

33
Specified Learning Activities

36
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Total

119

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students will explore the use of the language in a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment. The target language will be presented in a productive way, with the aim of growing familiarity and confidence.

We follow an action-oriented communicative approach. The lessons include tutor explanations, whole-class activities and active/task-based learning enhanced with Brightspace Virtual Learning Environments, such as online tests/quizzes, individual, peer, and small-group work, role-play, responding to short texts, listening to dialogues, and watching video clips. Grammar is introduced in context.

PLEASE NOTE that this module focuses on developing linguistic competencies, so attendance in classes is extremely important, and assessment will often take place during classes.

Students are expected to spend some hours per week working on the various course activities: Reading and listening to materials relating to the course; doing tasks and a variety of exercises, including grammar.
Oral interaction in class is expected and interaction through Brightspace and/or email to solve any doubts, problems, and any other issues students might have.

Note on AI: The use of AI tools (e.g. Gemini, Copilot) is not permitted in this module. Students are expected to engage directly with module materials and activities without the use of AI tools. Also, you must not use AI at any point during the assessments. You must demonstrate your core knowledge and language skills.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students taking this module will normally have already taken either PORT10020 or LANG10670.
Students are welcome to contact the Module Coordinator to discuss language levels.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): A two-hour written exam made up of core components developed to test Portuguese language skills: grammar, reading, writing and comprehension. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
50
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Up to 3 formative tasks per trimester, of which the best 2 count: quizzes, handwritten submissions, in-class/recorded oral practice (grammar, writing, speaking, reading and listening comprehension) Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10 Graded No
25
 No
Viva Voce: Ten-minute oral exam Week 14 Graded No
25
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Formative feedback individually to students on non graded assessments at the discretion of the tutor - Students will be told what they have done well and what they need to do to improve. Feedback individually to students on graded assessments - includes reminding students of what they were aiming to achieve (the learning outcomes). Feedback to the class, on activities developed in class, where appropriate - feedback given against explicit and agreed criteria for success (clear marking criteria aligned with the learning outcomes).

Students are not required to purchase any materials for this module. All essential readings are available through the university library. Supplementary resources will be provided during class sessions and/or accessible via Brightspace.

Textbook: Ponto de Encontro: Portuguese as a World Language. Pearson New International Edition – 2nd Edition (both digital and physical copies are available in the library).

Name Role
Dr Pascale Baker Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Vitor Fernandes Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Jeanne Riou Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Ana Vera Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33 Mon 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Seminar Offering 2 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33 Mon 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Seminar Offering 2 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Seminar Offering 2 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
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