An e-learning pilot training course for teachers of portuguese as a foreign language at the University of Porto

Abstract

The Faculty of Arts of the University of Porto offers since 2006 a intensive summer course (30h) which aims to recycle teachers of Portuguese as a foreign language (CAPPLE – Curso de Actualização de Professores de Português Língua Estrangeira). (…) the course covers a diversity of subjects - from culture, didactics, history, language, linguistics, and literature, to a solid theoretical basis, necessary for foreign language teachers. (…).This course is designed for different target groups: teachers of Portuguese as a foreign language who wish to update their professional activity; native Portuguese speakers who want training in the teaching of Portuguese as a foreign language / second language; graduates who wish to direct their work to the teaching of Portuguese as a foreign language. (…) It fits in the context of the mission of the University of Porto to "stimulate the cohesion and the institutional spirit of the University of Porto, through the dynamics of the cooperation between their agents and contribute for their projection to international and national level, promoting the excellence of their activities".(…) During the course the students were guided by the teachers / tutors through the tools available on the platform (forum, messages and activities). (…) In this paper, we intend to provide a brief description of what is currently one of the main objectives of University of Porto: the pedagogical and technical support, provided by the Unit for New Technologies in Education (GATIUP), to teachers who want to deliver lifelong learning courses using e-learning/blearning strategies. An example of an innovative e-learning course, with a diversity of contents, strategies and monitoring of trainees, will be presented. We will explore the results and what needs to be improved in future editions based on the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of this course.