Portuguese
is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world, and the official language of Brasil, Angola,
Moçambique, Cabo Verde, Guiné Bissau, São Tomé e Príncipe, and Timor Leste
(East Timor) besides Portugal. Realising the importance of the language,
Chowgule College of Arts and Science Autonomous, Margao established the ‘Centro
de Lingua Portuguesa e Cultura’ (CLPC) in the year 2008 with the active
support of Instituto Camões, Panjim. The CLPC of the Chowgule College since
then has never turned back and is doing a yeomen service in the dissemination
and promotion of the Portuguese language and culture, in Goa, especially in
south Goa.
Portuguese language
courses are conducted in collaboration with Institute Camões twice a year in
the college from January to May and from July to November for all levels of
learning in conformity with the Common European Framework Reference of Learning
(Quadro Europeu de Referência Comum). The courses are commonly known as Basic
(A1), Elementary (A2), Intermediate (B1), Advanced (B2) and Superior (C1). The College
also conducts conversation courses in Portuguese language for the benefit of
those desiring to improvise their speaking skills in Portuguese.
Large number of
students coming from different backgrounds and professionals like doctors,
engineers, lawyers, teachers, lecturers, professors, school and college
students and even housewives across Goa have benefited from these courses. Many
students have progressed immensely and even accomplished Masters degree
qualification in Portuguese language and culture from the Goa University, some
of whom are teaching Portuguese language in different schools and colleges in
Goa.
The CLPC also has a
Portuguese Film Club which screens popular Portuguese films on the last
Saturday of every month for which there is a large audience.
College has
introduced Portuguese language at the undergraduate level. It has recently
concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with University of Porto in Portugal
for academic and cultural exchange. Under it one of its student is shortly proceeding
to Porto to study academic courses for one year as a part of her three year
undergraduate degree at the College.
Ashok Dange,
Coordinator of Students Support Services and Coordinator of the Centre for
Portuguese Language and Culture, who was instrumental in starting the Centre
for Portuguese Language and Culture feels happy about the progress that the
College has made and the role it has played in promulgating and promoting the
Portuguese language in Goa.
“We
established CLPC in 2008 with a view to promote Portuguese language and I am
immensely happy that it has progressed with leaps and bounds. More and more
students are frequenting the CLPC in our College to learn and master the
‘Língua de Camões’ adds Mr Ashok Dange.
