Members
Diploma Universitário De Português Língua Estrangeira
(DUPLE)
The DUPLE corresponds to level C2 of the Common European Framework of the Council of Europe and is awarded for the top level of knowledge of Portuguese.
At this level, users have communicative competence which allows them to use the language with much confidence and ease. However, difficulties are likely always when strong cultural references are present (e.g. in the form of humour, cultural allusions or very colloquial use of the language, characteristic of idiolectic, sociolectic or regional variations). Users are able to extend their active and passive vocabulary and improve their command of register in both written and oral texts. This level allows candidates to improve the cultural component of Portuguese in the following areas: linguistic (e.g. through identification and use of idioms, identification and possible use of prefixes and suffixes with adjectives and adverbs with idiomatic meaning, etc.), literary, historical and artistic.
This level allows users to work in situations in which Portuguese is a language of work or/and language of communication as well as to follow academic courses.
READING
In everyday communicative situations, language users are able to:
- understand texts likely to occur in this kind of situation, although very specific cultural references may cause problems.
In communicative situations in the workplace, language users are able to:
- understand both routine and non-routine texts that fall within their area of work.
In communicative situations encountered during the activity of studying, language users are able to:
- understand texts within their own area of study, although reading speed may be too slow to follow a postgraduate level of study and complex cultural references may cause problems,
- use written sources of information effectively
Format of the component:
Part I: General understanding of three texts.
Part II: Detailed understanding of two/three texts.
The following task types are used: multiple choice, true/false, matching.
Duration: 1 hr 15 mins
WRITING
In everyday communicative situations language users are able to:
- write most texts necessary to deal with this kind of situation.
In communicative situations in the workplace, they are able to:
- take dictation on all matters likely to arise in their area of expertise,
- take notes while continuing to participate in a meeting,
- write reports, although occasional minor errors may occur,
- write a set of instructions with little risk of minor errors, even when complex or sensitive issues are involved.
In communicative situations encountered during the activity of studying, language users are able to:
- take notes from written sources and write long texts with various objectives, although occasional, minor difficulties in grammar or vocabulary are likely,
- produce texts with sensitivity to the conventions of presentation and register.
Format of the component:
Part I: Writing a commentary from a choice of two. Responses should be 250-280 words in length.
Part II: Writing one or two texts characteristic of communicative situations likely to occur in the workplace or
while studying.
Duration: 1hr 45 mins
STRUCTURAL COMPETENCE
Language users should prove that they are able to react appropriately to items which test:
- mechanisms of textual structure in components of grammar cohesion (interphrasal, temporal, referential and lexical) and coherence,
- verbal, adjectival and noun agreement,
- equivalence between verbal and verbal-noun/adjectival constructions,
- lexical issues like idioms and qualitative expressions.
Format of the component:
Completing texts. Sentence transformation.
Organisation, revising, reducing or expanding a text.
Duration: 1 hr 15 mins
LISTENING
In everyday communicative situations, language users are able to:
- understand most TV and radio programmes, although some difficulties are always likely when complex cultural references (both explicit and implicit) are involved, e.g. humour.
In communicative situations in the workplace, language users are able to:
- follow presentations/demonstrations, although difficulties are always likely when complex theoretical information is involved.
In communicative situations encountered during the activity of studying, language users are able to:
- cope with a conference/lecture/presentation, although difficulties are likely always when cultural allusions (e.g. humour) or allusions related to very specific contexts are involved or a text is presented by a speaker with non-standard pronunciation or rhythm of speech.
Format of the component:
Part I: Listening to extracts from a conference, presentation or a radio programme (with no dialogues).
Part II: Listening to a few dialogues.
The following task types are used: multiple choice, true/false, matching.
Duration: 40 mins
SPEAKING
In everyday communicative situations, language users are able to:
- deal with ease with this kind of situation, including interactions with friends, colleagues and family characterised by great unpredictability as regard topics and contexts. There may be minor difficulties in understanding or inappropriateness in the use of the language, but these do not affect communication and can be easily overcome by using communication strategies,
- interact over the phone. The chance of successful interaction increases if the topic and interlocutor are familiar.
In communicative situations in the workplace, language users are able to:
- argue a case effectively, justifying demands and specifying needs clearly,
- cope with a range of situations arising out of contracts or dealings with colleagues/customers,
- take part in meetings, most likely without any problems.
In communicative situations encountered during the activity of studying, language users are able to:
- give presentations/demonstrations and handle questions or criticism appropriately, although there may be difficulties when dealing with a very complex or theoretical matter,
- take part in seminars/tutorials, giving opinions and agreeing or disagreeing without giving offence.
Format of the component:
If possible, this component is examined with two candidates at the same time.
Part I: Interaction with an examiner during which candidates are expected to answer questions about themselves.
Part II: Presenting a point of view on a topic received by candidates before the beginning of this component.
Part III: A collaborative task during which candidates are expected to plan an activity.
Duration:20 minutes with every pair of candidates.
FINAL GRADING
The grade of Muito Bom (Very Good) is awarded to candidates who achieved 85 to 100%.
The grade of Bom (Good) is awarded to candidates who achieved 70 to 84%.
The grade of Suficiente (Pass) is awarded to candidates who achieved 55 to 69%.
SCHEDULE
| Component and Duration | Time |
| Reading (1 hr 15 mins) | 09.00 |
| Writing (1 hr 45 mins) | 10.30 |
| Structural Competence (1 hr 15 mins) | 13.30 |
| Listening (40mins) | 15.00 |
| Speaking (20 mins) | Please contact your Examination Centre |