- Online
- $445
If you have little or no previous knowledge of Portuguese, then this is the right level for you. Learn to share information about yourself and ask basic questions of those around you. You also learn structure and vocabulary that allow you to function in everyday settings such as ordering food in a restaurant or asking for directions. You begin to understand complex language structures in an immersion classroom setting while learning to speak primarily in the present tense. Note: Courses will be taught in Brazilian Portuguese.
Course outline
This is not a prescriptive list. Exact course outlines are determined by the instructor to best meet the needs of each class. It is meant to serve as a guideline and suggest what may be covered at this level. It is often necessary to repeat levels in order to become completely comfortable with the skills at each stage with a different teacher and style.
Communicative objectives
- introduce oneself, to greet, to identify oneself
- tell time
- give and ask for a telephone number or address
- ask for and give directions
- speak about one’s likes and dislikes
- speak about everyday actions
- accept or decline an invitation
- go shopping
- order in a restaurant, make reservations
Linguistic objectives
- Pronunciation, phonetics
- Conjugation in present simple: 1st, 2nd and 3rd conjugations
- Irregular verbs ser, estar and ter
- Future and Gerund (-ing)
- Pronouns: subject, object, possessive
- Question words and question methods
- Singular, plural, masculine, feminine
- Negation
- Prepositions de (da, do…) and em (no, na…)
Expected Effort
You can expect to spend about three hours per week attending live, virtual classes and completing course work on your own time. Expect double this amount during the intensive summer term.
Textbook
This course does not require the purchase of a textbook. Course materials are provided by the instructor.
Course Format
This course is offered online and/or in-person. See Available Sessions for details on the course format.
Our online conversational courses offer a virtual classroom experience where you can see and interact with your teacher and classmates over Zoom. Log in at a set time to participate in individual, pair and group work, ask questions and receive feedback from your instructor.
Outside of class time, access course materials online at your own pace for up to three weeks after the course ends.
In-person classes are offered at UBC Robson Square in downtown Vancouver.
Learn more about online learning at Extended Learning.
How am I assessed?
This is a non-credit course without letter or numerical grades. You receive verbal feedback on your conversation and grammar skills from your instructor during class. Written homework is typically corrected in class. Some lesson modules may include quizzes.
Record of completion
A record of completion will be emailed to students who participate and satisfy the course requirements within two weeks of the course end date. Course completion means 80% attendance and/or 80% completion of mandatory assignments.
Technology requirements
For all languages classes, you’ll need access to the internet, a personal email account and an up-to-date web browser.
For online classes, you will also need a video camera and a microphone on your device.
The day before your course starts, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the course.