Vídeo: Why learning Portuguese

From Concept to Development

You will explain in English why Portuguese is important for your future. Why are you studying Portuguese? Is it for professional or personal reasons? If professional, what are your career plans and where does Portuguese fit into it? If personal, are you a heritage speaker? Do you have family or friends in Brazil or Portugal (or another lusophone country) and you would like to communicate with them? How can the academic study of Portuguese language and Luso-Brazilian culture improve your chances to succeed in your future life and/or professional career?

Your message concept might be informational, motivational, instructional, persuasive, reflective, etc. The process could involve the cognitive domain (knowledge, higher-order thinking) or affective domain (attitudes, opinions, values, emotion).

Once you've generated a rough idea for your video project, decide:

•         What is your main idea and how are you going to develop that?

•         What will you say to support your argument?

•         What challenges do you anticipate to make your project stand out?

•          How can you solve these challenges?

•         What resources will you need in order to accomplish your project?

 Steps to have in mind: 

Audio/Video Equipment

You can use your own digital camera to take pictures or even record short video clips, if using such resources. Many digital cameras have this feature (to record video with or without audio). Your smart phone also records pictures or video. It's a good idea to verify that you know how to transfer pictures and video from your device to the computer before you spend too much time capturing your footage. Take a few moments to test this process with your equipment and confirm that things work as expected.

 Exporting & Submitting

When you are finished editing your video, you must export your video as a standalone Windows Media Video (.wmv) or mpeg file (.mp4). This is an essential step in successfully completing your project. 

1) Name the file according to the letters of your university and your name: NU [your name], UIUC [your name], UC [your name]. 

2) Your video must be uploaded online as a google document that you will share with us at the e-mail: portugueselangconnection@gmail.com. Your settings should allow us to share your video with a third party (anyone with the link). Subject of the e-mail: Video Project Fly to Brazil [and the name of your university].

3) Deadline for submission: Thursday April 10th at 11:59 pm. Videos submitted after this deadline WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Specific Requirements. Read with attention:

1) Content of the opening screen of your video

ü   II Illinois Portuguese Language Connection (IPLC)

ü   Name of the University

ü   Title of the video 

ü Your name 

2) Duration of video is 3 minutes MAXIMUM! (strictly enforced. Your video does not need to have 3 minutes to be excellent. Remember:  sometimes, less is more).

3) Sound effects, transitions and special effects, if used, must complement the video's content. These should enhance and support the content, not detract from it.

4) Use effective visual design: colors, fonts, graphics, transitions, and any other visual elements.

5) Copyright-protected materials (basically anything other than your own original work) are used in accordance with their individual licensing terms or conditions, and these materials are given attribution by citing their source (e.g., within closing credits).

6) By submitting your video, you also give permission to the universities related to the Illinois Portuguese Language Connection to upload your video in their own webpages and use it in their Language Programs. 

Criteria for selection:

The best video must follow ALL requirements above and excel in the 4 Cs:

* Be creative

* Be convincing

* Be compelling

* Be captivating

The best videos will be chosen by each university and then sent to out of state raters. 

Professors from top universities in the USA will make the final decision.

GOOD LUCK / BOA SORTE!