Intensive Portuguese Language and Brazilian Culture


Course Introduction:
  • This is an amazing time to get immersed in, and understand, the Brazilian culture and the country’s business etiquette. Brazil is on the rise as one of the leading world economies. While traditionally rich countries have been enduring a terrible downturn, Brazil added 2 million jobs in 2011.  It will host the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016. The Brazilian economy has been growing strong and attracting foreign investment.  Brazil is now the sixth largest economy in the world. Seven out of 10 business leaders declare Brazil as the most attractive place to establish operations. Demand for learning Portuguese has both grown and changed, and now has a marked business profile. Brazil is not just an exotic country anymore, and more and more foreign professionals are finding business opportunities working with or in Brazil. Understanding the Brazilian culture and language is key to developing strong relationships with the country.

Course Description:
  • This is a hands-on course to advance the student’s ability to understand, speak, read, and write Portuguese and deepen their understanding of the Brazilian culture.
  • The language component for level I includes language instruction for beginner Portuguese learners. The language component for level II includes a review of advanced grammar topics and practice through use of the language in real-life situations inside and outside the classroom.
  • The cultural component of the course explores contemporary Brazilian culture through its language and arts (music, film, literature, painting, dance). Classes are conducted in Portuguese and use multimedia resources to engage students in relevant cultural conversations. Discussion topics include: Brazil’s geography; cultural similarities and differences between Brazil and other South and Latin America countries; Brazil and rest of the Portuguese speaking world; the Portuguese language in the world scenario; regional characteristics and differences within Brazil; Brazilian folklore and festivities; life in modern-day Brazil; Brazilian values – What is it to be Brazilian?
  • Students will be able to use their skills and knowledge during their organizational visits and throughout their experience in Brazil. Students will use online course management software to upload photos and testimonials, and to create classroom discussions around what they see and experience while traveling in Brazil.  Real-world experiences will be an integral part of the course. 

Course Objectives:
  • Upon completion of level I of the course students will feel confident navigating social and professional events and engaging in basic communication tasks. Upon completion of level II of the course students will  master skills to communicate effectively in Portuguese both in social and professional situations; have a deep understanding of contemporary Brazilian culture, its values, and its place in the current socio-economic world environment; and have heightened cultural self-awareness and cultural intelligence to promote better interactions with Brazil and Brazilians.

Purpose:
  • These courses are designed for students interested in advancing their ability to understand, speak, read, and write Portuguese in both formal and informal situations, and obtaining a deep understanding of Brazil, its culture and its people in the current world scenario. These are hands-on courses that will integrate real-world experience in Brazil into the classroom. Students will use the language to immerse themselves in, and get a deep understanding of, the Brazilian culture and the cultural elements that influence current socio-economic, political, and business aspects of contemporary Brazilian society. 

Students will:
  • Develop speaking skills and comfort with Portuguese to communicate effectively 
  • Improve listening skills with active listening exercises using audio and video
  • Perfect pronunciation to better communicate
  • Expand vocabulary to allow for effective communication both in formal and informal situations
  • Get a deep understanding of the Brazilian culture and its social and business etiquette to allow the development of strong social and professional relationships

Additional small group instruction in Portuguese will be offered outside of the classroom for students interested in taking the maximum advantage of the Brazil study trip.

Options:
  • Level I:  Beginner   
  • Level II: Intermediate 

Students:  All majors are welcome. UNDERGRADUATE or GRADUATE level students are welcome to apply.

Prerequisites:
  • Level I:  No background in Portuguese language is assumed.  That said, however, it is strongly recommended that students should take a basic online (or book-based) course before coming to Brazil.  This course moves quickly and students will benefit immensely from any pre-studying they do before embarking on this educational journey across Brazil with our professors. 

  • Level II:  Students are assumed to have a basic ability to communicate in Portuguese.  Students who have 100% fluency in Spanish may opt to take this section.  Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese is required for the course. Class discussions will be in Portuguese to provide an immersion experience to the students. Course readings and course work will be in Portuguese and in English.  To schedule a consultation with Professor Luciana Lage to assess your level of Portuguese, please contact us to schedule an interview.

Course Requirements:
  • The course requires active student participation.  Students are expected to read the assigned textbook chapters, cases and articles before every class.  There will be a midterm exam, a final exam, case studies and a team project. Students are required to attend professional visits.

Teaching Procedures and Methodology:
  • Teaching methods used in this course include lectures, case discussions, and group assignments. Learning in this course requires the student’s constructive participation and active involvement in both class discussions and small group discussions.  Small group discussions, in particular, are a key mechanism for facilitating learning from other team members.  

Required Readings:
  • Reader prepared by instructor – Available for purchase in Brazil.
  • “Larousse Concise Dictionary: Portuguese-English/English-Portuguese”.
  • "Brazil, Country Travel Guide", Lonely Planet

Recommended Additional Readings:
  • “Brazil - Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture”, Sandra Branco and Rob Williams, Kuperard; Reprinted edition edition (September 5, 2006).
  • “The New Brazil”, Professor Riordan Roett, Paul H Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University (Director of the Western Hemisphere Studies and Latin American Studies Programs).  Brookings Institutional Press; 1st edition (August 2, 2010).
  • "Brazil on the Rise, The Story of a Country Transformed", Larry Rohter. Palgrave Macmillan (February 28, 2012). 

Team Project:
  • A team project will be assigned by the course professor on the first day of class. Project will require thinking about issues raised in readings and class discussion. Presentation dates to be scheduled. The project report should be between 5 and 7 pages in length (Font: Arial, 12; Line Spacing: 1.5).

Academic Hours
  • Depending upon the session selected, this course will include 48 academic hours, the equivalent of 3.0 credits.  Students should expect to be in class in the morning, and to have professional visits to leading Brazilian and international companies in the afternoons.  Class schedules are posted online.

Components of Final Grade:
    Midterm exam 20%
    Final exam       30%
    Team project   20%
    Participation    10%
    Introduction to Brazil 20%

Grading Scale:
   A    93 - 100%
   A-   90 - 92.9%
   B+  87 - 89.9%
   B    83 - 86.9%
   B-   80 - 82.9%
   C+  77 - 79.9% 
   C    73 - 76.9%
   C-   70 - 72.9%
   D+  67 - 69.9%
   D    63 - 66.9%
   D-   60 - 62.9%
   F    Below 60%

Useful Websites:

Host University:
  • Founded in 1961, ESPM (Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing) established itself as a center of excellence in the teaching of administration, marketing, international relations and communications.  It is among the elite few in Brazil to receive the highest grade in evaluation by MEC (the Brazilian Ministry of Education).  ESPM is widely known for being the best Brazilian school of marketing and communications.  In order to maintain this elevated level, ESPM invests constantly in the development of new facilities, professors and teaching methods.  ESPM has four campuses in Brazil:  Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre and in Brasilia.  Today, the school has approximately 10,000 students across various campuses, studying a variety of subjects at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  In total there are approximately 600 professors.  Among their international partnerships, ESPM has institutional agreements with McGill University in Canada; University of California, Riverside and with Babson University in the USA; the Universidad Nebrija in Madrid Spain, among others.  

Academic Integrity:
  • ESPM places a high value on the integrity, good conduct and academic honesty of all students.  Students are expected to maintain high standards of academic integrity at all times.  Any instance of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, will result in a grade of F for the course.  

Course Content:
  • All of our courses are designed with a modular format.  Students should expect to cover at least 80% of the content per module, depending upon the Session selected.

Module - Introduction to Brazil
  • With a focus on cultural issues, students will visit Brazilian companies and organizations and will engage in cultural visits.  These visits will be integrated back into the classroom during our daily "debrief" sessions called "Introduction to Brazil". 
 
 
Course Code: 311:  
Level I Beginner
Course time:  Option 01
Credits: 3
Hours: 48 academic hours
LET 311 syllabus
File Size: 231 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Course Code: 312:  
Level II Intermediate
Course time:  Option 02
Credits: 3
Hours: 48 academic hours
LET 312 syllabus
File Size: 169 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

About The Professor:

Profa. Luciana specializes in helping students learn about Brazilian culture through Portuguese language (and about learning the language through culture).  

She is the founder of "Street Smart Brazil".  Luciana taught at the University of California Berkley for two years, and is currently teaching Portuguese at the University of San Francisco.  

Here is an example of one of her recent on-line classes, where she teaches about the Brazilian history of dictatorship and cultural repression by looking at a samba song by the famous Brazilian artist Chico Buarque
Picture
ESPM lecture auditorium Rio
Extras:
  • Pre-Study Abroad Portuguese courses:  All students are strongly encouraged to practice  their Portuguese  language before attending our events.  For students interested in this option, we recommend signing up for online skype lessons from our partner: Street Smart Brazil.  Also, Professora Luciana will be available in Rio to continue teaching private portuguese classes.  Contact her directly and ask for the special Summit rates and availability. 
  • Learn to DANCE!  Brazilian music & dance - mix of rhythms - all students will be offered an introduction to Brazilian rhythms: samba, axe, forro, chorrinho, etc (in the evening).  Intensive and individualized dance courses also available on request - priced separately


"Work Hard", and "play hard" this Summer
  • The program is demanding intellectually and professionally; however, Brazilians are famous for their ability to weave work and pleasure together.  Students will have time to enjoy themselves apart from their studies and return home invigorated by their time in Brazil. 

 




Note: course offerings are subject to change.