O ensino não formal na aprendizagem de português língua estrangeira em contexto de acolhimento: um estudo de caso

Ensinar uma língua estrangeira exige, da parte do professor/formador, uma constante atualização de conhecimentos relacionados com a didática e a prática dessa língua, porque os métodos não se negam uns aos outros, acrescentam-se, e só conhecendo-os se pode decidir por um ou por outro, de acordo com os alunos/formandos e com o(s) objetivo(s) a atingir. Quem ensina precisa ter consciência da necessidade de competências da língua de acolhimento para a integração de cada imigrante; da importância dos saberes que cada aluno/formando traz consigo; do valor das aprendizagens extralinguísticas para o conhecimento do “outro”; da mais-valia do uso desses saberes na autonomia de cada imigrante. Em Portugal, os documentos de apoio às tarefas do professor/formador não dão receitas porque elas não existem. Todavia, grandes avanços foram feitos nos últimos anos e o professor/formador tem ao seu dispor materiais que lhe permitem trabalhar, autonomamente ou em grupo, com um suporte científico que reduz os riscos desta atividade aparentemente tão solitária. Conscientes de que cada vez mais a aprendizagem de uma língua estrangeira requer uso de metodologias e tarefas diversificadas e adequadas ao público, a educação formal, a não formal e a informal tocam-se e complementam-se, em processos que, ao denominá-los de uma forma, parece que negamos os outros dois. O processo de educação não formal, por se reger por atividades maioritariamente não formais (aprendizagem com e através da experiência, e construção de aprendizagens no conhecimento que já existe), é, segundo vários autores, o indicado para o ensino- -aprendizagem da língua de acolhimento a imigrantes, sobretudo a imigrantes adultos, porque reduz a frustração e a ansiedade. Um programa de ensino não formal de língua portuguesa a adultos imigrantes, em contexto de acolhimento, será, neste trabalho, objeto de reflexão em estudo de caso. Demos voz aos vários atores neste processo e, através da avaliação das competências observadas nos formandos e dos resultados obtidos no exame CIPLE, concluiremos da adequação das práticas aos objetivos de comunicação e integração. O que significa, afinal, integração de imigrantes? Como se entende este processo, presentemente, em Portugal? Como contribuir eficazmente para a integração dos imigrantes, através do ensino do português, num contexto de imersão?Abstract: Teaching a foreign language requires the teacher to constantly update his knowledge regarding the didacticism and usage of that language, as different methods do not deny one another but instead complement each other, and the only way to decide which one to go with, depending on the students and goals to reach, is to be familiar with those methods. Language teachers need to be conscious about the skills that the host language demands for the integration of each immigrant; about the importance of the knowledge that each student has; about the value of extra-linguistic learning when it comes to getting to know other people; and about how much of an asset this knowledge about the autonomy of each immigrant is. In Portugal, the supporting documents for teachers’ tasks do not generate revenue because they do not exist. However, important improvements were made during the last few years and teachers now have access to support material that allow them to work, in an autonomous way or in a group, with a scientific support that reduces the risks of this apparently lonely activity. Knowing that learning a foreign language is increasing the need to use varied methodologies and diverse tasks according to the learner, the formal, non-formal, and informal education complement each other in such processes that, by dominating them in one way, the other two seem to be ignored. The process of non-formal education, because it is based on mainly non-formal activities (learning with and through experience, and creating new learning ways on the already possessed knowledge) is, according to several authors, the most suited one for teaching a new host language to immigrants, especially adults, as it decreases frustration and anxiety. A non-formal Portuguese language teaching program for adult immigrants on a hosting environment will be, on this paper, an object of reflection on a case study. We gave voice to the several authors involved in this process and, through the evaluation of the observed competences of the learners and the results obtained on the CIPLE exam, we shall withdraw several conclusions on the suitability of the practices of the goals of communication and integration. What does “Integration of Immigrants” mean, after all? How is this process understood, nowadays, in Portugal? How can one contribute, in an effective way, for the integration of immigrants, through the Portuguese educational system, in a context of immersion

Práticas artísticas no ensino básico e secundário

A matéria-prima de que trata esta revista é base de trabalho para um ensino artístico alargado, estendendo-se fora dos limites da aula, transgredindo os limites formais dos curricula, implicando património e riqueza cultural, sensibilizando para o imaterial, criando públicos apreciadores e também agentes criadores. É toda uma comunidade que se interliga através dos valores imateriais que sempre foram os da arte. A tarefa do educador é muito alargada: exige-se que esteja à altura deste desígnio humanista, que é também um desafio ao destino da humanidade: pela educação artística constroem-se futuros, e sem arte há intolerância, materialismo, indiferença, alienação, morte. Os tempos que se vivem são exigentes. As questões da pós modernidade estão muito acesas, desde as que nos obrigam ao desassossego, como a sustentabilidade e a poluição, como as que nos implicam politicamente, como a justiça, os direitos civis, a desigualdade. Tudo isto é matéria com a qual se amassa um barro que pode ser mais ou menos criativo: trata-se de extrair a matéria-prima com que se pode fazer os blocos que constroem o futuro. Aos profissionais da educação e do ensino, esta consciência, ao mesmo tempo desamparada – os cortes da economia neoliberal transformaram a arte em indústria, e a sua educação em criação de consumidores – e ao mesmo tempo vigilante e interventiva. Os artigos que responderam a esta chamada, respondem, cada um a seu modo, a este desassossego, a este desconforto, a este mal-estar contemporâneo. Dispuseram-se segundo uma sequência que se articula com base em temas afins que se podem descrever sucintamente: Todos os que participaram neste número mostraram a sua matéria-prima, a sua reação à falta que a arte nos faz. A chamada soa, e ressoa, e é necessário que seja por todos ouvida, em todos os países. É simples: as artes estão em perigo. Perigo porque há menos horas, menos professores, menos opções, menos conhecimento. As reduções no horário, a eliminação de disciplinas tão importantes como a história da arte, fazem de cada professor um agente da resistência, um ser mais implicado na sobrevivência da chama da criação. Matéria-prima: matéria para resgatar a verdade humana, a arte, a expressão mais valiosa da sua vaidade. Resgatar o homem que Michel Foucault (1988: 412) vê ameaçado, como um rosto na areia, desenhado à beira-mar.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

The surgical safety checklist and patient outcomes after surgery: a prospective observational cohort study, systematic review and meta-analysis

© 2017 British Journal of Anaesthesia Background: The surgical safety checklist is widely used to improve the quality of perioperative care. However, clinicians continue to debate the clinical effectiveness of this tool. Methods: Prospective analysis of data from the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), an international observational study of elective in-patient surgery, accompanied by a systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature. The exposure was surgical safety checklist use. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and the secondary outcome was postoperative complications. In the ISOS cohort, a multivariable multi-level generalized linear model was used to test associations. To further contextualise these findings, we included the results from the ISOS cohort in a meta-analysis. Results are reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: We included 44 814 patients from 497 hospitals in 27 countries in the ISOS analysis. There were 40 245 (89.8%) patients exposed to the checklist, whilst 7508 (16.8%) sustained ≥1 postoperative complications and 207 (0.5%) died before hospital discharge. Checklist exposure was associated with reduced mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.49 (0.32–0.77); P\u3c0.01], but no difference in complication rates [OR 1.02 (0.88–1.19); P=0.75]. In a systematic review, we screened 3732 records and identified 11 eligible studies of 453 292 patients including the ISOS cohort. Checklist exposure was associated with both reduced postoperative mortality [OR 0.75 (0.62–0.92); P\u3c0.01; I2=87%] and reduced complication rates [OR 0.73 (0.61–0.88); P\u3c0.01; I2=89%). Conclusions: Patients exposed to a surgical safety checklist experience better postoperative outcomes, but this could simply reflect wider quality of care in hospitals where checklist use is routine

Prospective observational cohort study on grading the severity of postoperative complications in global surgery research

Background The Clavien–Dindo classification is perhaps the most widely used approach for reporting postoperative complications in clinical trials. This system classifies complication severity by the treatment provided. However, it is unclear whether the Clavien–Dindo system can be used internationally in studies across differing healthcare systems in high- (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods This was a secondary analysis of the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), a prospective observational cohort study of elective surgery in adults. Data collection occurred over a 7-day period. Severity of complications was graded using Clavien–Dindo and the simpler ISOS grading (mild, moderate or severe, based on guided investigator judgement). Severity grading was compared using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Data are presented as frequencies and ICC values (with 95 per cent c.i.). The analysis was stratified by income status of the country, comparing HICs with LMICs. Results A total of 44 814 patients were recruited from 474 hospitals in 27 countries (19 HICs and 8 LMICs). Some 7508 patients (16·8 per cent) experienced at least one postoperative complication, equivalent to 11 664 complications in total. Using the ISOS classification, 5504 of 11 664 complications (47·2 per cent) were graded as mild, 4244 (36·4 per cent) as moderate and 1916 (16·4 per cent) as severe. Using Clavien–Dindo, 6781 of 11 664 complications (58·1 per cent) were graded as I or II, 1740 (14·9 per cent) as III, 2408 (20·6 per cent) as IV and 735 (6·3 per cent) as V. Agreement between classification systems was poor overall (ICC 0·41, 95 per cent c.i. 0·20 to 0·55), and in LMICs (ICC 0·23, 0·05 to 0·38) and HICs (ICC 0·46, 0·25 to 0·59). Conclusion Caution is recommended when using a treatment approach to grade complications in global surgery studies, as this may introduce bias unintentionally

Critical care admission following elective surgery was not associated with survival benefit: prospective analysis of data from 27 countries

This was an investigator initiated study funded by Nestle Health Sciences through an unrestricted research grant, and by a National Institute for Health Research (UK) Professorship held by RP. The study was sponsored by Queen Mary University of London

Respiratory support in patients with severe COVID-19 in the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection (ISARIC) COVID-19 study: a prospective, multinational, observational study

Background: Up to 30% of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 require advanced respiratory support, including high-flow nasal cannulas (HFNC), non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV), or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes and risk factors for failing non-invasive respiratory support in patients treated with severe COVID-19 during the first two years of the pandemic in high-income countries (HICs) and low middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: This is a multinational, multicentre, prospective cohort study embedded in the ISARIC-WHO COVID-19 Clinical Characterisation Protocol. Patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who required hospital admission were recruited prospectively. Patients treated with HFNC, NIV, or IMV within the first 24 h of hospital admission were included in this study. Descriptive statistics, random forest, and logistic regression analyses were used to describe clinical characteristics and compare clinical outcomes among patients treated with the different types of advanced respiratory support. Results: A total of 66,565 patients were included in this study. Overall, 82.6% of patients were treated in HIC, and 40.6% were admitted to the hospital during the first pandemic wave. During the first 24 h after hospital admission, patients in HICs were more frequently treated with HFNC (48.0%), followed by NIV (38.6%) and IMV (13.4%). In contrast, patients admitted in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) were less frequently treated with HFNC (16.1%) and the majority received IMV (59.1%). The failure rate of non-invasive respiratory support (i.e. HFNC or NIV) was 15.5%, of which 71.2% were from HIC and 28.8% from LMIC. The variables most strongly associated with non-invasive ventilation failure, defined as progression to IMV, were high leukocyte counts at hospital admission (OR [95%CI]; 5.86 [4.83-7.10]), treatment in an LMIC (OR [95%CI]; 2.04 [1.97-2.11]), and tachypnoea at hospital admission (OR [95%CI]; 1.16 [1.14-1.18]). Patients who failed HFNC/NIV had a higher 28-day fatality ratio (OR [95%CI]; 1.27 [1.25-1.30]). Conclusions: In the present international cohort, the most frequently used advanced respiratory support was the HFNC. However, IMV was used more often in LMIC. Higher leucocyte count, tachypnoea, and treatment in LMIC were risk factors for HFNC/NIV failure. HFNC/NIV failure was related to worse clinical outcomes, such as 28-day mortality. Trial registration This is a prospective observational study; therefore, no health care interventions were applied to participants, and trial registration is not applicable