A Level

In London

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    A Level

  • Location

    London

  • Duration

    2 Years

Important information

Government funding available

Facilities

Location

Start date

London
See map
St Charles Square, W10 6EY

Start date

On request

About this course

OCR assumes that most students will have acquired at least the equivalent of GCSE Grade C before taking this course. You need to feel confident at this level in the 4 language skills of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
You need to be interested in developing these skills. You should also have some knowledge and understanding of the culture and way of life. You need to be interested...

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Course programme


AS Portuguese
Level: AS/A2

Awarding Body: OCR

Course Content:
AS:

This is the first half of the A level course. It is a stepping stone to the full A level qualification. You can take just the AS or you can decide at the end of the AS course to take the full A level. The AS will develop your Listening, Reading & Speaking skills but you will only be tested on your writing skills. You will explore the following topic areas Daily Life (including current affairs & media), Society and The World of Work (including Business & I.T) and The Environment. In addition to language skills you will be tested on your knowledge of institutions and the way of life in Portugal. You will also learn translation skills, mainly Portuguese into English.

A2:

The full A level is made up of the AS unit plus one more unit. This means that you take your Reading skills to a higher level. You study two more topic areas: The International Context and The Portuguese Speaking World. You will be introduced to Portuguese literature, film and media. You will study this in some depth. In addition to language skills and your knowledge of Portuguese film and set texts you will be tested further on your knowledge of institutions and the way of life in Portugal. You will also improve your translation skills into Portuguese.

Teaching Learning Methods:
Teaching methods are varied and range from whole class teaching to group work and pair work. Students are encouraged to develop research skills involving the use of the library and the Internet. Students are strongly advised to spend time in Portugal and assistance is available with this. Portuguese is used as the teaching medium.

Key Skills:
Students will be able to develop their skills.

Assessment:
AS Reading and Writing (3 hours)

The question paper is in three sections as set out below. Texts are drawn from contemporary sources such as magazines, newspapers, reports and books and will total a maximum of 750 words.

Section A Response to written text

One or two texts (maximum total 400 words) are set requiring a number of non-verbal or short target-language responses. If appropriate to the language, one of these responses may be a vocalisation/transcription exercise.

Section B Translation

One passage (maximum 150 words) is set for translation from the target language into English.

Section C Writing

Candidates are required to respond to a printed target-language stimulus of not more than 200 words, by writing a letter, report or article of about 200 words in the target language.

A2 Reading Comprehension and Translation; Topics and Texts (3 hours)

The question paper is divided into two sections as set out below:

Section A Reading Comprehension and Translation

Candidates are required to read an authentic target-language text and to retrieve and convey information via questions and answers in the target language. Reading comprehension is assessed on a point by point mark-scheme. Candidates are required to translate a related passage (of not more than 150 words) from English into the target language.

Section B Topics and Texts

Candidates produce two answers, in Portuguese, each of at least 250 words in length on texts or topics studied during their course of study. Candidates may write on either two texts or two topics, or one topic and one text. The topics and texts should be chosen from the prescribed lists of topics and texts. There is a choice of two questions on each topic and text. Candidates are required to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the text or topic material they have read and show understanding and knowledge of the Portuguese culture.

Skills & Commitment:
Success requires:

Regular Attendance
Punctuality
5 hours of private study per week.
An interest in current affairs
Regular attendance at conversation classes

Cost:
Students will need to purchase a dictionary, set texts and pay for trips to conferences, exhibitions and films.

Progression:
Post A2, students have the option of studying languages in their own right or alongside other subjects. In the global market there is virtually no career in which qualifications in a modern language does not considerably enhance employability.

Complimentary Subjects:
Portuguese is compatible with all subjects and is of particular interest to those interested in the business world, music, tourism, literature, film, journalism etc.

Entry Requirement:

OCR assumes that most students will have acquired at least the equivalent of GCSE Grade C before taking this course. You need to feel confident at this level in the 4 language skills of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
You need to be interested in developing these skills. You should also have some knowledge and understanding of the culture and way of life. You need to be interested in developing this understanding and in exploring in much more detail the topic areas that were covered at GCSE.

AS Portuguese

Price on request