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PORT20050

Academic Year 2026/2027

Portuguese Language IIb (PORT20050)

Subject:
Portuguese
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
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 builds on the foundations provided in the level 1 and level 2 Portuguese language modules and is oriented for academically trained learners who are willing to learn a foreign language and acquire intermediate command of the Portuguese language. Students will enhance their listening, oral, writing and reading skills by being exposed to various types of texts and different registers. The module will also expand and reinforce students' grammatical knowledge of Portuguese, with a particular focus on more advanced grammatical structures and categories, which students will apply to different types of tasks.

It is a core module for students pursuing Portuguese to degree level, but is also suitable as an elective for students of other subjects who have reached or approached the equivalent standard of Portuguese (CEFR level B1). 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 achieve a grade of B or higher will be considered to have approached the B2 level, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

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

1. Understand and apply a broad range of grammatical structures at an intermediate level and understand differences in style and register in written and spoken Portuguese.
2. Understand the main points of the storyline when watching selected Portuguese TV series, films, and travel programmes;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the information conveyed in written texts in Portuguese-language media, printed and electronic.
4. Engage in discussion of a range of contemporary topics in oral Portuguese, articulating one’s own opinions and responding to the views of others.
5. recognize and employ a wide range of Portuguese vocabulary drawn from authentic materials and communicative situations in and outside the classroom;
6. Display basic understanding of important dates and people, as well as cultural phenomena of the Portuguese-speaking world.

Indicative Module Content:

This module consolidates and develops the basic language skills acquired in levels I and IIa Portuguese, enabling students to communicate confidently in Portuguese through a variety of written, oral, and comprehension exercises. Skills will be integrated into each class and will be developed in context: there will be an overarching theme in which students will acquire new grammar points, acquire new vocabulary, enhance comprehension skills and ability to develop a natural and accurate form of expression in the target language.

Key functions and grammar points:

1) Students will be introduced to more complex grammar items in order to further build on the linguistic competence already achieved. Topics will include the past and future subjunctive, if-clauses, and the passive voice.
2) Students will also acquire practical language skills related to living and working in Portugal, as preparation for the period of study abroad.
3) Engage with a variety of materials and media to enhance cultural knowledge and intercultural skills.
4) React, comment, and report on a variety of real materials, such as news, articles, and simple literary texts.

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. Advanced Beginner

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

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. Advanced Beginner

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Advanced Beginner

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. Advanced Beginner

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Advanced Beginner

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Advanced Beginner

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. Advanced Beginner

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. Advanced Beginner

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. Advanced Beginner

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

24
Specified Learning Activities

40
Autonomous Student Learning

40
Total

104

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: Generative AI may be used for certain purposes only under the guidance of your tutor and within academic integrity guidelines.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students taking this module will normally have already taken PORT20040.
Students are welcome to contact the Module Coordinator to discuss language levels.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
PORT10030 - Portuguese Language Ib

Co-requisite:
PORT20040 - Portuguese Language IIa


 

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)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Up to 3 formative tasks per trimester of which the 2 best count: quizzes, handwritten submissions, and 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 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Viva Voce: 10m 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.

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.

Textbooks:
- Ponto de Encontro: Portuguese as a World Language. Pearson New International Edition – 2nd Edition (both digital and physical copies available in the library).
- The Portuguese Subjunctive: A Grammar Workbook. Taylor & Francis Group, 2021 (both digital and physical copies 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 Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
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