Level 2 Classes: this course is suitable for people who are comfortable with the topics covered in Level 1 (e.g. providing basic personal information and using common regular tenses verbs in the present tense). We will revise some level 1 topics in the initial lessons, then expand on them by exploring ways to talk about preferences, daily routines, and constructing more complex sentences. By the end of this course, you should be able to communicate basic needs and desires, use common everyday expressions and engage in simple conversations, provided the other person speaks slowly and is willing to help.
In Level 2, we work at the A1 level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)*
Term duration: 9 x weekly classes, Monday evenings, 18:15 to 20:30.
No class on Mon 4 May and Mon 25 May. Your last class will finish at 20:15.
Communicative themes may include: • Providing and understanding personal information, such as nationality, occupation, family background, and asking others about these topics. Talking about upcoming events, and making plans that include specific dates and times. Describing objects, people and places in a simple way. • Talking about preferences and everyday habits or routines. • Giving and asking for reasons. Identifying the location of buildings, asking and giving simple directions. • Introduction to telling a simple story: describing the context and main actions
Key grammatical points covered may include: • Revision of grammar basics, such as gender and number of nouns and adjectives, verb conjugations: a Clara é muito alta > as irmãs da Clara são muito altas. • Revision of date and time, prepositions and contractions with articles: vou ao Porto na quarta-feira, às dez horas da manhã. • Verbs of special usage and meaning (gostar de, ficar, costumar): eu gosto de bananas; o Rui fica cansado quando corre; nós costumamos ir ao cinema. • Extended family, possessive pronouns and determiners: a Teresa é a tia do Pedro; é a sua tia / é a tia dele. • Simple coordinated and subordinate sentences: eu vou dar um presente ao meu pai no Natal. • Key verbs and adverbs for describing location and giving directions: o banco fica ao lado do restaurante; você vai em frente e vira à direita. • Introduction of the main difference between past perfect and imperfect: quando eu ia para casa, começou a chover.
Please note that we adapt the pace of the class to the needs and interests of the group, so the listed themes and grammar may be subject to change and are not meant to be exhaustive.
Homework may be set between classes, though we do understand that the constraints of everyday life may make it difficult to complete at times. You are under no obligation to complete the homework, but revision of the weekly lessons is strongly encouraged to allow you to make excellent progress and benefit fully from the course.
Each week you will practise most if not all four communicative skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). You will be encouraged to take an active part in all activities which can include games, pair and group work as well as individual tasks. We aim to establish a friendly, inclusive atmosphere in the classroom so that all students can express themselves freely and increase their confidence.
*CEFR levels indicated on our level descriptors are not a guarantee that you can take the associated Portuguese exam for this level. If you would like to take an external Portuguese exam, please speak to your tutor to discuss what they think would be most appropriate
