In alignment with the learning objectives of the textbook Ponte de Encontro, instructor Maggie Dunlap and her students in Accelerated Portuguese participated in an experiential learning activity supported by a CNDLS curriculum enrichment grant, bringing the vibrant culture of São Paolo to life.
The group visited the Hirshhorn Museum to view the first US retrospective of renowned Brazilian graffiti artists OSGEMOS, twin brothers Gustavo and Octavio Pandolfo. Known for their connection to São Paolo’s urban landscape, OSGEMOS provided students with rich subject matter to practice their descriptive skills in Portuguese.
At the exhibit, students were tasked with selecting a favorite artwork to describe in a short paragraph, applying their classroom learning on vocabulary and grammatical structures like “concordância,” the agreement of adjectives with nouns in gender and number—an essential yet challenging concept in Portuguese. The written descriptions were later shared with the wider Georgetown community through a digital flier, encouraging others to visit the exhibit and engage with the language in a real-world setting.
“Students were inspired by the creativity of OSGEMEOS and their unique worldview. Also on view at the exhibit were many of the brothers’ notebooks and doodles; two students mentioned they were pleasantly surprised to be able to decipher the marginalia in Portuguese!”
After the museum visit, the students continued their cultural exploration with a group meal at Fogo de Chão, a Brazilian steakhouse within walking distance of the Hirshhorn. They enjoyed traditional Brazilian dishes such as churrasco, feijoada, and brigadeiros, further reinforcing their understanding of Brazilian culture through its rich culinary traditions. The shared meal provided a sense of camaraderie, fostering a supportive learning environment as students practiced conversational Portuguese in an authentic setting.
This hands-on experience helped students connect the linguistic and cultural diversity of the Portuguese-speaking world, as outlined in their textbook, to real-world applications. Through art, food, and conversation, they gained a deeper understanding of São Paulo’s dynamic culture while strengthening their language skills in an immersive and enjoyable way.
Launched under the Georgetown Learning Initiative (GLI), curriculum enrichment/experiential learning grants (CEGs) support course-related activities that enhance student learning.
Back to top arrow_upward