Sonia Celegatti Althoff is a Brazilian instructor of Portuguese and author of textbooks, CD-ROMs, and web-based learning materials for learners of Portuguese. Her website provides introductory information on basic Portuguese that includes pronunciation guides, grammar charts and explanations, interactive exercises, proverbs, cartoons, and a phrase book. There are audio files to accompany many of the components. Sonia also features a message board that is currently used by learners of Portuguese around the world.
These basic materials are samples of what Sonia's textbooks, CD-ROMs, and for-fee interactive website offer.
Type of Material:
Tutorial
Recommended Uses:
Self-directed learning. Sonia recommends her Portuguese grammar book, which is illustrated and much more complete and detailed than the web site, for learners of Portuguese as a second language in need of a complete, concise, and practical reference.
Technical Requirements:
Some interactive exercises presented difficulties in a test using Netscape 6.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Basic Portuguese language instruction
Target Student Population:
Beginners
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
None
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The Portuguese alphabet is presented with an annotated pronunciation guide. Audio files of the sounds of Portuguese are available using RealPlayer. Notations on accents and regional pronunciations are also included.
The site's Phrase Book presents basic Portuguese for travelers to Brazil in both text and audio.
The Grammar Explanations provided are clear and concise and could serve as a good basic reference for learners and teachers.
The Proverbs include their English equivalents and are among the most commonly used in Brazil today.
The site's Message Board, which Sonia regularly moderates, allows for lively communication regarding Portuguese language and culture.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The self-directed learner will find everything he or she needs for beginning study of the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture. Classroom teachers can lead their students to the interactive exercises and clear sound files. Learners can also use the Message Board to seek clarification of language and culture issues and/or be assigned to make inquiries, the answers for which can be reported back to class.
For those seeking more comprehensive/advanced study materials, Sonia makes her print materials and CD-ROMS available for a fee.
Concerns:
The interactive online exercise section is limited. These exercises are samples of materials available in Sonia's commercial products.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Sonia's site is easy to use with good navigation and clear directions. There are external links pages for English, German, and French-speaking learners.
Concerns:
The interactive grammar exercises work on a limited basis in Internet Explorer and not at all in Netscape Version 6.
Creative Commons:
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