Portuguese

Course type: A level
Awarding/exam body: Pearson Edexcel

Would you like to converse in fluent Portuguese?

Are you keen to learn about about Portuguese cinema, and the works of famous Portuguese writers?

Then our Portuguese A level will give you um passaporte to understanding a rich culture on the Atlantic. You’ll learn a language skill that will stay with you for life. A level Portuguese has been developed to inspire students who have an appreciation of the language, literature, film and culture of the Portuguese-speaking world. You’ll learn the Portuguese language through studying a range of social issues and trends, such as the changes in family structures in Portugal, education and the world of work, immigration and emigration, and culture (music and media).

You’ll also delve into Portugal’s rich history, studying immigration and multiculturalism in Portugal; Vasco da Gama’s voyage to India; the dictatorship of Salazar and the journey from dictatorship to democracy. You’ll study a set film, Os Gatos Não Têm Vertigens by António-Pedro Vasconcelos, and a book, Os Capitães da Areia by Jorge Amado which will be assessed through a target language essay. You’ll also have the opportunity to carry out an independent research project which will be assessed within the Speaking exam.

LANGUAGES AT SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER

Languages can be combined with any other subject to add an international dimension to your studies and your future career. The rest of the world most definitely does not “always speak English”.  At university, the Turing Scheme lets you study for a year abroad at a European university – whatever main subject you are taking. Few UK students can do this, because they usually do not have the language skills, but with an A level in a language you will be in a much stronger position to study art in Italy or politics in Spain or law in France.

OTHER LANGUAGES Speakers of other languages who can prove their competence at GCSE standard can be entered for A level examinations.

NATIVE SPEAKERS Native speakers of any of the languages that we offer (Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese) with no GCSE qualification can still join the course provided their competence in the language is tested and discussed with the subject teacher and the head of department.