DILS Portuguese for Music Majors

Abstract

Materials to enable a jazz vocalist major to study Portuguese, generated to support the major, since so much of what they study and perform is Brazilian jazz. In the DILS-for-credit model at the University of Denver, there is a suggested curriculum and mid-term and final proficiency assessments each term. The model also allows for flexibility in how the student approaches learning the language. Working with a faculty member from the music school and the Brazilian language partner, a student can study the language with emphasis on pronunciation and the musical culture of Brazil.

Description

These materials include a general syllabus for Portuguese Directed Independent Language Study (DILS), a proposed weekly schedule of study for a Portuguese beginner, the DILS handbook and overview, the self-assessment rubric, and supplemental materials specifically for music majors studying Portuguese. As this is an independent, student-driven course, the learning goals and schedule will vary with each student. The student develops a learning plan and completes weekly self-assessments, and the student is held accountable to that plan as part of the grade. 

The supplemental materials for music majors focus on the music and culture of Brazil and pronunciation guides, which were approved by the jazz vocalist faculty advisor. These materials provide something for the student and language partner to discuss during their weekly meetings.

The course is housed in the Canvas learning management system; links to Canvas have been removed as people not enrolled in the specific class at the University of Denver will not be able to access them.

Material Download(s)

Link(s) to Other Resources

University of Denver - Directed Independent Language Study Web Page

Material Type(s)

• Syllabus

Author(s)

• Adrienne Gonzales, Associate Director, Center for World Languages & Cultures
• Donna Wickham, Adjunct Faculty, Lamont School of Music

Institution(s)

• University of Denver

CLAC Model(s)

• Empowered/Independent study

Language(s)

• Portuguese, Brazil (Português)

Additional Information

Through the Center for World Languages & Cultures, the University of Denver offers Directed Independent Language Study (DILS) for undergraduate elective credit in languages not offered by the Department of Languages & Literatures. Students may take up to three quarters of DILS for elective credit; current languages available are Hindi, Korean, Portuguese, Swahili, Swedish, and Turkish. The DILS option was instituted for a number of reasons. One is to provide students studying abroad in countries speaking those languages the opportunity to study the language and culture and interact with a native speaker before going abroad. DILS also provides an opportunity for students to continue studying a language that they learn while studying abroad. A third benefit is that DILS allows students with specific language-learning needs that correspond with academic and personal goals to study that language within the context of their goals. The DILS model is an example of the CLAC independent model through which students may enhance their content knowledge in another discipline through contextual study of and reflection upon language and culture.

A music faculty member approached the CWLC and asked if it would be possible for her jazz vocalist majors to study Portuguese because so much of what they study and perform is Brazilian jazz. In this DILS-for-credit model, there is a suggested curriculum and mid-term and final proficiency assessments each term. However, the model also allows for flexibility in how the student approaches learning the language. Working with the faculty member from the music school and the Brazilian language partner, the student was able to study the language with emphasis on pronunciation and the musical culture of Brazil. The student and language partner discussed culture and the meanings of songs, and practiced songs in addition to going over grammar and vocabulary.

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