Portuguese Beginners (Level 1)

This is for you if you have no prior knowledge of Portuguese (or so little that you effectively want to start again from scratch). You will learn basic skills to enable you to make yourself understood and to find out information in everyday situations.

Key information

NEW Course starting January 2024

• Course: Thursdays 6.00pm - 8.00pm
  Delivery: On-campus (face-to-face)
  Timeline: Starts 18 January - Ends 4 July 2024
  Lengths: 20 weeks (60 learning hours)
  Fees: £250 (payable in two termly instalments of £125 each) 

Course started in October 2023

• Course: Mondays 6.00pm - 8.00pm
  Delivery: On-campus (face-to-face)
  Timeline: Resumes 15 January - Ends 18 March 2024
  Lengths: 10 weeks (30 learning hours)
  Fees: £125 

This course requires a minimum of 8 and it can have up to a maximum of 20 students. The course fee includes all tuition, access to Blackboard, handouts and any tests/exams, but not a textbook. 

Term 1 runs from October to December, Term 2 from January to March and Term 3 from April to July. A full course comprises 60 learning hours. Lessons are two hours long and take place once a week. When enrolling you are committing to the full 20 weeks. There is the option to pay for the full course in one payment or two instalments. You are welcome to join in the second term of a course if you have previous knowledge and experience of the language. 

Entry level

No previous knowledge of Portuguese is required. The course is suitable for absolute beginners.

Course content

• Expressing a range of greetings
• Describing yourself and exchanging personal details
• Describing your family and friends
• Reading timetables
• Making plans
• Talking about hobbies
• Likes and dislikes
• Directions
• Describing your own home town/city
• Ordering in a bar/restaurant
• Going out
• Meeting friends
• Shopping

Resources

• Gramática Ativa - Versăo Brasileira: Book 1
• Aprender Português: Manual 1

There isn’t a University bookshop however The European Bookshop website holds our book list and offers a 10% discount to all our students. Languages at Leicester Reading List.

It is not essential to bring a course book to the first class. The tutor will discuss book requirements in class and advise you of the best places to obtain the book if required. With some languages there is the option for us to order text books on behalf of a class.

Our approach

This course is taught in Portuguese and English. The Portuguese language taught at L@L prepares students to read texts, listen to audio files and watch videos in the Portuguese language regardless of its origin. Equally, it prepares students to interact with speakers in Portuguese in spite of their origin. Although people from different origins speak the Portuguese language with different and distinctive accents and may also use different words, the language it the one and the same. Likewise, the English, French and Spanish languages present similar differences. However, in all cases, the written language is the same and, with very few variations, follow the same grammatical rules.

Our programme aims to develop the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing as well as cultural awareness. It provides a good balance between understanding the culture, vocabulary and grammar structures of the Portuguese language and enhancing communication and interaction. It supports comprehensive and productive skills in speech and writing through authentic based activities and guided practice in the use of Portuguese language. Students will be encouraged to seek opportunities to learn and practise the four skills outside the classroom taking advantage of learning resources provided by tutors and the programme. Lessons are planned to allow intensive interactive practice with individual feedback and advice on progress.

Progression

Upon completing the Beginners level (1), you can progress onto the Post-Beginners level (2).