UM kicks off the 30th Portuguese Language Summer Course
The 30th Portuguese Language Summer Course, organised by the University of Macau (UM) Department of Portuguese, kicked off (18 July). The course will last until 5 August. Prof Hong Gang Jin, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, said that the course aims to help students develop four essential skills to prepare them to become competent global citizens: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Vice Rector (Research) Rui Martins welcomed participants from different parts of the world and said in his opening remarks that over the past 30 years, the Department of Portuguese at UM has successfully graduated many competent Portuguese learners who have gone on to pursue other Portuguese-related studies. Prof Jin said that the faculty has spent many months preparing the course to ensure that students will be exposed to different ways of communication. She added that the course will give students an opportunity to work together as a team, to understand world languages and cultures form many different perspective, and to improve their Portuguese language knowledge and skills and apply the skills creatively in real life. The opening ceremony was held in the University Hall (N2). Guests attending the ceremony included João Neves, director of the Portuguese Oriental Institute and representative of the consul general of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong; Chan Ka Hou, acting deputy director of the Tertiary Education Services Office; Ivone Isabel da Senna-Fernandes, representative of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau; Cheong Iok Kuan, acting director of the Macau Security Force Superior School; and Vice Rector (Student Affairs) Haydn Chen. The purpose of the Portuguese Language Summer Course is to promote the knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture. This year's event, in particular, will give participants a chance to learn more about the linguistic, historical, social, economic, political, and cultural developments of Macao through various cultural activities, including visits to local museums and the Historical Centre of Macao. Participants will also have the opportunity to enjoy fun extracurricular activities such as Portuguese folk dance and choral singing. Over the years, the course has attracted many students from around the world. This year's event attracted approximately 400 students from mainland China, Macao, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, East Timor, Australia, and other parts of the world. The course covers five different levels: beginner's level, basic level, intermediate level, advanced level, and superior level (which is introduced this year). Some of the new features of this year's course include a class in translation between Chinese and Portuguese.
