(Im)perfect explanations for Pretérito Perfeito and Imperfeito – didactic suggestions for Portuguese Foreign Language

Abstract

The starting point of this paper is the analysis of a corpus of learner texts written by A2, B1, B2 and C1 students with different native languages in a formal teaching context in Portugal. The errors in the use of Pretérito Perfeito Simples (PPS; Preterit) Pretérito Imperfeito (PI; Imperfect) that we find in the texts show that students have serious problems with using these tenses, especially PI, even at advanced levels of proficiency, notwithstanding their contact with rules on this topic. Our analysis of the rules for the use of PPS and PI to be found in selected textbooks and (learner’s) grammars shows that some formulations are imprecise and potentially misleading for students, and also that some materials do not provide all the necessary information for an effective use of these tenses in text production. Based on the information needed to correct the analysed errors, we suggest principles for explaining the use of PPS and PI and offer a synthesis of positive and negative aspects found in textbooks and grammars, as well as some didactic observations on the training of this topic.